Remembering Him…

In Remembering Him, Ghrana brings you a selection of Qawalli music from Nusrat Fathe Ali Khan’s repertoire, showing the different times in his journey and presenting Qawalli music from his earliest works to some of his last numbers….

Dates: 21st July 2007 @ 8.30pm, 22nd July 2007 @ 3pm

Entry by donation: RM20 for adults & RM10 for students

Please logon to Behind the Red Helmet (http://redroyalguard.blogspot.com) for updates and details.

Ronggeng Merdeka and Kampung Wa’ Hassan

A review by the RedRoyal Guard

Ronggeng Merdeka is a creative work by 33 young actors, dancers and musicians, led by 4 directors. This musical drama features sung stories of Penang residents from the 1930s, through the Japanese Occupation, up to the period of Merdeka. It captures the rhythms and sounds of school, street life and the trades of the diverse communities of Penang through song, dance & drama. The show is produced by Ombak-ombak ARTStudio and presented by Anak-anak Kota. Ronggeng Merdeka has been presented at five different locations around Penang and Seberang Jaya, with the finale held in Lebuh Armenian, Georgetown on the 16th of June 2007.

The Actors Studio Greenhall supported Ronggeng Merdeka by providing the production team with practice space for the cast. We also assisted them logistically by lending them some space for the storage of their musical repertoire, which included a set of gamelan instruments, drums and gongs. The presence of school children had inadvertently promoted TAS@Greenhall to their parents, some of which were very keen on having their children pursue their artistic inclinations.

Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa’ Hassan tells the story of Wa’ Hassan, the last Malay kampong to fall victim to Singapore’s efforts at modernisation. Far from a trip down memory lane to a romanticised Malay kampung, this is a journey of discovery of the true worth of a kampung, filled with real-life characters in all their rawness, and the true loss in the dispossession of it. Actor Gene Sha Rudyn brought to life 15 characters from Kampong Wa’ Hassan, saying that, “If ‘to know me is to love me’, then the way for us to understand why Orang Kampung love the kampung is to get to know the kampung they know.”

Anak Bulan Di Kampong Wa’ Hassan was presented at Anjung Indah, Bukit Baru in Balik Pulau, Penang on Sunday, 10th of June 2007. This play was produced by The Actors Studio, with the co-operation of the committee members of BASKEB (Badan Sukan dan Kebudayaan Balik Pulau). TAS@Greenhall provided administrative support for the cast and crew.

Resurrection: The Costumes, Props & Art of M. Hanif

Presented by The Actors Studio

An exhibition by RedGuard Creations and other costumes, props and artwork by M. Hanif

Normally, costuming is associated with stage and theatre, but it is fast becoming an activity of its own. In some parts of the modern world, costuming events and competitions are held regularly, promoting and showcasing the creative talents of amateur costume designers and fans alike. Costuming is also big business in these countries. Malaysia still has lots of catching up to do, but with communities like MySciFiFan and the Malaysian chapter of the 501st Legion: Vader’s Fist, this is fast becoming a reality.

The Actors Studio, with the collaboration of RedGuard Creations, proudly presents The Art of Anike, a showcase of costumes and props designed and made by marine biologist turned visual artist M.Hanif. The artist has been involved in amateur theatre for a number of years and is himself an avid costumer. He champions the cause of costuming simply because it is a great way of expressing oneself, and costuming is a beneficial and worthwhile activity if pursued positively. The stars of this exhibition are the costumes from Wong Phui Nam’s epic,”Anike”, a play which was presented by Cape Poetics in KL and Penang in 2006 and early 2007.

The organisers hope that this exhibition will introduce a new form of artistic experience for locals as well as tourists, and that this will be the start of more costuming-related activities to come, especially in the North.

Details of the events during The Art of Anike are as follows:

9th to 13th July 2007 @ 1100 to 2000

Static Display (free entrance)

14th July 2007 @ 2030

Finale - a live costume show - with photo opportunities and refreshments after (Entry by donation, minimum RM5)

15th July 2007 @ 1500

Costuming Talk by the artist, also with some refreshments after (Entry by donation, minimum RM10)

* Interested parties are encouraged to arrange for early bookings for the Finale and Costuming Talk. Group bookings will also be entertained.

* Some items in the exhibition will also be offered for sale, the proceeds of which will be donated for the cause of Arts and Costuming in Penang.

In My Country

Two people from two totally different worlds meet and bond in a park within a short period of time. Ali, the protagonist of the film who is funny in a very annoying manner, is able to give Jenny a different view and perspective of life. The dynamics of this movie is centred on Jenny’s bitterness and how Ali, in his nonchalant ways tries to help Jenny. But Jenny is equally determined not to be helped. This is a subtle reminder to us about the little things in life that how valuable and important sometimes they can be.

An independent film made in Luton, England written with humour and latent meaning is a must watch.

Starring: Aliakbar Campwala, Louise Treleaven and Steven Soares

Music: Ray Cheong

Directed by: Frank Mcpartland

Venue: The Actors Studio, Green hall, Penang

Date & Time: 23rd June 2007 @ 8.00 pm, 24th June 2007 @ 3.00 pm and 8.00 pm

Ticket: Free Admission

For bookings, please contact: 04-2635400, 017-420 8084, 016-4655018

MY BALLET SHOES (Drama)

Presented by The Actors Studio Greenhall

Directed by One Rozlie

Artistic Director: Shah Zainal

Written by One Rozlie

Featuring Anne Nurbaya, Fadzrina, Aie, Astra, Hilyati

You are so cruel! You useless cruel bastard! Where’s all your promises to me ? where?! How could you leave me like this? You left me all alone to suffer. Now I’m like this!.. no longer a normal being????

This is a story about Ayu, the young girl who talented in dancing and performing art. After one tragedy, she lost for all that she prossesed.. parent, lover, friends, and her skills. there was no more happiness, no more compliment for her from public. Now, in her new world, she’s looking n searching for what will happen to her next..

What’s Ayu going to doing in her new life?

Date: 02 & 03 Feb 2007 @ 8.30pm 04 Feb 2007 @ 3.00pm

Price: RM20 ( adult ) RM 15 ( student, sr & disabled )

Japanese Film Screening

Produce by Consulate - General of Japan

Date: 23th Feb 2007 @ 8.00pm

Price: Free

AH STEVE (comedy)

Presented by The Actors Studio, part of Malaysian Playwright Series.

Directed by Dato’ Faridah Merican

Artistic Director: Joe Hasham

Written by Mark Beau de Silva

Featuring Mark Beau de Silva, Johann Lim, Carol Wu and Valerie Low.

‘Ah Steve’ is a story of a Chinese boy who prays to his dead mother everyday. On Sundays, he prays to Jesus.

This Christmas, there is a problem at the church. The youth wing of the Church wants to put up a nativity play and Ah Steve wants to be part of the show. However, because all the men parts in the show tok in hard bible words I cannot pronounced, Ah Steve has to play a woman part- Mother Mary.

The problem is, Ah Steve feels very happy donning Mary’s costume and lipstick. It reminds him of his Mama’s shoulder pads, and the mascara he used to see his Aunt Tabitha wipe off her face, and of My Little Ponies! Horse dolls he never had a chance to play because his staunch Catholic Aunty Tabitha thinks it is a sin!

Ah Steve is a story of a boy who woke up one day crying because he felt happy to be called Mary, even if for a day. It is a story of lip gloss, Church hymns, Chinese ghost stories, and of course, My Little Ponies.

Ah Steve is in English and bits of Hokkien.

Date: 09th - 10th March 2007 @ 8.30pm

11th March 2007 @ 3.00pm & 8.30pm

Price: RM 30 ( adult ) RM 15 ( Students, Sr Citizens & disabled )