Performing For The People

Selangor, Malaysia--Bringing theatre to the people. That is what Datuk Faridah Merican (below, left) aims to do with her pet project called The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat.

“There are many people who never get the chance to watch a theatre play,” says Faridah, who turns 70 this October. “We hope Teater Rakyat can change that.

“By bringing theatre to the people, we are thrusting culture into their lives. Culture is important to our soul. It makes us a better person. We become more interesting and are more aware of our surroundings.”

Her first Teater Rakyat project in 2007 was the play, Anak Bulan Di Kampung Wa Hassan, which centred on the last village in Singapore that was demolished in the name of progress.

Acted and directed by Gene Sha Rudyn, this one-man play was performed free for folks of six villages in Perak, Penang, Selangor, Malacca and Johor respectively.

The Actors Studio, says this theatre legend, has been in existence for over 20 years but its focus has mainly been on English-language plays.

“I have always been asked why I am not promoting Malay theatre,” she says.

That`s when she decided to branch out and founded The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat which focuses on theatre of any language even a Tamil play for the Indian community as long as it is a good piece of art.

But trying to bring theatre to the villages around Malaysia is not an easy task.

Faridah`s second Teater Rakyat project last year, Kisah Gadis, only managed to be staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) as she was unable to find sponsors for performances in other parts of Malaysia.

The play takes a look at different points of the lives of several women who pause to reflect on the road each has to travel and the journey that lies ahead.

Faridah laments the fact that some companies are willing to spend big money to sponsor foreign plays but when it comes to a local production which costs only 1/10th of the budget, they are not interested.

“It is really not expensive to take a show out of town,” she says, adding that Teater Rakyat`s maiden project only cost her  less than RM42,000 to bring it to six villages.

“We spend less than RM10,000 for each performance,” she says. “We travelled  cheap, staying at the cheapest hotel and needed only a little funding.

“It can be frustrating but I will  keep on writing. I have a thick skin and I have no shame in asking.”

Faridah is not giving up on Teater Rakyat yet. Her latest production is a Mak Yong performance titled Titis Sakti (Magical Drops). Directed by Norzizi Zulkfli, it will be staged at KLPac from June 3 to 7.

The performance is an interpretation of William Shakespeare`s A Midsummer Night`s Dream, using this Malay traditional art form. It`s a blend of east and west that follows four couples in their pursuit of love.

“Mak Yong is a great traditional art but it is dying,” says Faridah. “Those of us who are involved in the performing arts have the responsibility to breathe some life into it.”

Indeed, combining the elements of Shakespeare into Mak Yong will draw a new set of audience, in particular the youngsters.

Of course, there will be purists who will accuse her of  distorting the true art form of Mak Yong by incorporating Shakespeare`s text.

“I do not see it that way,” Faridah says. “We are just taking the liberty to be creative. Do not be afraid to be different. I am not afraid of this kind of criticism.

“It will be healthy to hear comments from all quarters. It can become a dialogue. It can be a healthy discussion.”

And once again, she would love to take Titis Sakti on a tour around Malaysia if she can find the sponsors. But there again, lies the problem.

There are times when this gets too much for her to handle and that`s when her pets come in. She has three cats at home to help her relax while at her workplace in KLPac, another three cats and three dogs do their magic.

They are the ones who drive away some of her disappointments and bring back a smile to her face.

“I would like to build an animal sanctuary,” she says. “It will be a place where abandoned animals can find love and a home. I just wished someone, maybe, the Selangor government, would donate a piece of land for that purpose.” Bissme S.

For ticket reservations for Titis Sakti, call KLPac Box Office at 03-4047 9000.

Source: http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=34056 (30 May 2009)
Photo: http://www.thesundaily.com/article.cfm?id=34056

Share

Write your comment !