Food for deep thought
A politically nuanced multimedia theatre work from Macau leads this month’s performing arts shows to watch.
A FAMILY rattled by the sudden appearance of a sexy and mysterious undergarment in the house. A young Malay prince who becomes the victim of hatred and jealousy. A young girl and a bear who form an unlikely friendship right to a multimedia theatre show from Macau, which is inspired by a legendary (strategy board game) Go battle nearly a century ago.
It looks like October has an exciting lineup of theatre shows. You just need to find your fix.
Here’s a list of not-to-be-missed theatre and arts performances this month:
The Bear
Where: PJ Live Arts, Jaya One, Petaling Jaya When: Ends Oct 21
The magic of theatre and puppetry comes alive in British-based Pins and Needles Productions’ adaptation of The Bear, created by English illustrator and author Raymond Briggs. This all-ages show is perfect for the entire family. The story? One night, when young Tilly is fast asleep, an enormous snowy white bear climbs into her bedroom. With its big, black tongue and a jaw as big as a person’s head, only horror and possibly death awaits anyone who stumbles upon this huge beast. But Tilly is not scared. In fact, the gigantic bear is not dangerous at all and soon, the two form an unlikely friendship and embark on a wild and magical adventure. Details: www.pjlivearts.my.
Laguku 2.0
Where: Theatre, DPAC, PJ
When: Ends Oct 6
Orang Orang Drum Theatre’s Laguku 2.0 is the ensemble’s fifth major concert series to date. It ends an eventful year for OODT, which toured Eastern Europe and played community festivals here recently. On stage, OODT aims to blur the lines between instrumental music and human voices, giving the masses an atmospheric concert experience. For Laguku 2.0, OODT draws inspiration from Sarawakian folk songs, mask theatre, puppetry and drum theatre. The group’s vocal/sape teacher Rosemary Colony Anak Joel Dunstan from Sarawak will also perform with OODT. The Laguku series is mostly inspired by the group’s Laguwalk project, a community performance programme featuring a series of mini theatre creations (including drum music and physical theatre pieces) staged outside the conventional performing arts venues.
Details: www.dpac.com.my.
Orang Kasar
Where: Revolution Stage Studio, PJ
When: Ends Oct 6
Malay theatre show Orang Kasar is presented by new performing art production house Arti.tofu. This adaptation of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s one-act comedic play The Bear is directed by Rudzainy Rahman, with script translation work from Azril Suhaili. The actors are Fatin Adila, Azuwan Ahmad, Kecik, Sofia Aerina and Qie Rahman. They give Orang Kasar a local tint with added drama. After the death of her husband, Datin Lara mourns her beloved partner in the huge mansion that he left behind. To prove her loyalty, the poor widow weeps daily. One day, Lara’s life is turned upside down when a man knocks on the door, saying he has come to claim a debt from her late husband. Can Lara and the household deal with this situation? Call: 0115927 2997.
Merah
Where: Black Box, DPAC, PJ
When: Oct 11-13
Merah is a story of a Chinese family of three generations living together with a foreign maid. The Mandarin-language show begins with a typical day in the household, each family member living in their own world. But the discovery of a red, sexy undergarment rocks the mundane scene. In this cleverly written new script by Pitapat Theatre’s founder Seng Soo Ming (who is guest directing this production by The Dramatic Art Society), the discovery of the undergarment gradually becomes a device to reveal a long hidden crisis involving family relationships. Suddenly, there is violent drama caused by episodes of mistrust, betrayal and miscommunication. Details: www.dpac.com.my.
Makyung Raja Besar Maha Gading
Where: Istana Budaya, KL
When: Oct 11-13
Istana Budaya is the place for big stories. Here’s the epic Malay tale of Raja Besar Maha Gading, who orders soothsayer Wak Nujum to check on the fortunes of his seven children. It’s a process to determine who can succeed him as ruler of the land. Wak Nujum picks Raja Bongsu. This angers his other children and they plot to kill Raja Bongsu. The youngest child is taken to the open field and thrown into a well. Fortunately, he is rescued by Tok Peraih Sireh, who invites the young prince to live in his hut. Raja Besar Maha Gading then finds out about a new “king” living on the edge of his kingdom. Intrigued, Raja Besar summons this new king to have an audience with him. What awaits him is an unlikely surprise. This Mak Yong show, under the direction of Rosnan Rahman (touted to be the only Pak Yong), promises a night of spectacular Malay theatre. Details: www. istanabudaya.gov.my.
Magical Movie Moments II
Where: Pentas 1, KLPAC
When: Oct 11-13
Movie soundtracks and orchestral evenings make a great combination. After four years, Magical Movie Moments, by the KLPAC Orchestra, returns for its long-awaited second edition. Under the baton of music director and resident conductor Lee Kok Leong, Magical Movie Moments II will feature soloists Tria Aziz (singer), Iz Sulaini (singer), Evon Ng (vocalist), Li Xinqiao (violin) and Tan Fang Hau (cello). The populist setlist includes theme songs from Star Wars and The Avengers to family-friendly favourites from movies such as The Lion King, Aladdin and How to Train Your Dragon.
If you’re into melancholy tunes, then the scores from Schindler’s List and Departures will be welcome additions. Details: www. klpac.org.
Moderation
Where: Now Theatre, Taman Sungai Besi, KL When: Oct 11-13
It only takes one person to start a revolution that can change the course of a nation. Moderation, a Cantonese play written and directed by Macau news reporter Miki To, tells the story of one brave woman out to make a change. Moderation is based on the battle of Go (a strategy board game), with a plot surrounding a game between Chineseborn Japanese master Go Seigen and Japanese legend Honinbo Shusai. This match in 1933 was touted as one of the most important battles of Go in the last century. This one-hour play is presented in a multimedia form, including video, addresses on societal and governmental issues like power struggles, social movements and the relevancy of political systems. Facebook: Now Theatre.
Teater Uda Dan Dara
Where: Padang Merbok, Jalan Parlimen, KL When: Oct 25 and 26
Perhaps this is the closest thing we can get to Shakespeare In The Park. Theatre director Shamsudin Othman’s musical staging of the late Datuk Usman Awang’s Uda Dan Dara will use Padang Merbok as its stage. Don’t be surprised to find the open pitch, more known for rugby games, transformed into a paddy field. With its outdoor setting, this free admission event presents something different, with installation works such as scarecrows and torches. If you’re looking for classic Malay theatre under the moonlight, this is the show to catch. Details: www.diversecity. my.
Awang Batil: Hikayat Cendawan Putih (Legend Of The White Mushroom)
Where: Dewan Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Centre (MATIC), KL When: Oct 25 and 26
Traditional Malay storytelling gets the spotlight with the Awang Batil: Hikayat Cendawan Putih show, presented by Persatuan Teater Opera Mimpi Negeri Perlis (Topeng), with a special appearance by Romli Mahmud. In this traditional show format, the Awang Batil – storyteller – is the life of the party. He inherits many folk tales and each tale is told with comedic elements. Masks are also common place to play characters such as “Hulubalang” (guard) or Ahli Nujum (soothsayer). In Perlis, Romli is regarded as the one and only Awang Batil. He inherited the talent and art of storytelling from his father, the late Mahmud Wahid. Romli now resides in Kampung Pokok Sena, Chuping in Perlis. Details: www.diversecity. my.