Somewhere during the fasting month, the acting students meaning the third years had a pre-final project just for them to right on track on their project. Which was a good thing because, they now have a better direction and all the lecturers get to comment on the spot. So most of the lecturers were there commenting on their performance after they did a scene. The last group had two scenes that they performed.
I came in late so I missed out the first performance. The second was “Sakoontala” or “The Lost Ring” by Kalidasa. This is a Sanskrit play and was performed by Haneem’s group. She played the role of “Sakoontala”. It was good in terms of delivery but most of the audience agreed that the main character was a bit to harsh, she should be more soft as she was raised in a monastery by the monks and was a child of the goddess “Menaka” so she has behave princess like. The king also should have a touch of masculine and act intelligently. That’s my point of view.
Sakoontala and the King....hiaoing
Sakoontala and Ibu Gautami head female priest
Next was Hamlet the Malay version. This was a complicated scene since it has quite a number of actors on stage at one time. I have no idea of the actual story so that makes the understanding the play even challenging. The set was also a suggested set and the actors were wearing modern clothes. This was Tzyy Yun, Khairul Azhar (Chip) and Siti Fatimah’s group. I guess the delivery was ok, distance and projection was ok too. I just can’t understand the story. Perhaps they need more time.
Next was “Laut lebih indah dari Bulan”. Laut and Bulan are two different persons. The play was a monologue and the actor lacks stamina to perform to last the scene. I guess it comes by practice. The actor also should talk and face the audience even if she needs to imitate a person, this makes the projection a little unclear but I hope the next time they’ll improve.
This is Bulan
No exit came after that. It’s an absurd play and so it’s the meaning behind the whole play that’s important. I think The Actors Studio previously staged it in Malay, if not mistaken. This is Sylvester’s group. I’m not sure that I’m the one that can quickly understand the play quickly and for this case, if I ever go to these absurd plays, I’ll come equipped for the performance before going to such plays. The story is like two people trapped in a hotel room for an interview, discussing about their strength and weakness and finding out that there were in a psychological torture. In the end that the play wants to tell that the thoughts in the mind are entrapped and it’s an eternal torture. It’s confusing but you are not a passive audience because you need to think. I guess the performance was good since this was the only play in English and they have quite good diction too. Perhaps the overall play should be much more interesting.
The last was Nyonya. I thought Nyonya was the Peranakan Nyonya from Melacca but to my surprise it’s the Indonesian Nyonya and they needed to talk in Indonesian. So interesting!! This is Izni Yusrina’s group. They had full costumes and make-up on. According to Izni, the make-up and the rental of the clothes cost RM 50 per-person. Look at the hair, its real by the way. The hair even has white hair if you look closely. This play was a realistic play and I enjoyed because you look and you don’t have to think so much. Its very light and it has nice settings, I forgot the term for it. Gosh!! Just finish theater exam and I start forgetting. Story very simple, the young nyonya married the rich guy and the daughters from the previous marriage want their money. The delivery and diction was good as it was in Indonesian so we Malaysians need to be extra clear so that we can pick up.
This is the nyonya and the bad Tuan...the nyonya is the one selling off her husbands possesions
The other 'ponakans' are stalking Nyonya
And got busted
So that wraps up the performance. I had a great time and that the performance. Especially towards the end, the lecturers should have an idea on their students and that the students can improve better next semester. Now I’m going to plan what to do in Subang before coming back to Penang and going to the Human Right’s camp. Should be interesting though…I’m looking forward to it.
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