HAMELET - and others looking for a home

Hamelet is still looking for a home, plus 2 more found yesterday at Sentul park. Please help.

1 MALAYSIA, really?

Disturbing news has prompted the heading. There are many, many, the worst being the cow's head being dragged by a couple of men to demonstrate against the building of a temple. Yet one of the headlines today shamelessly said Ban immoral shows, says PAS Youth.Someone here does not understand immoral, lah.
The other headline Eyed Peas show limited to non-Muslims', why? because it's sponsored by Guinness to mark their 250 anniversary of the signing of a 9000 year lease on St. James'Gate in Dulin in 1759 by Arthur Dublin. While Malaysia should feel proud at being one of the 5 venues worldwide to host Arthur's Day - the others being Dublin, New York, Lagos and Yaounde. But no, Malaysia decides that Muslims are barred from this event where DIGI has brought in Black Eyed Peas to entertain audiences, because? Can you understand? If it's because us Muslims will suddenly be guzzling copious amount of Guinness at this party, I feel truly insulted that Muslims are treated like badly behaved children, that we can't go to a party that's sponsored by Guinness, Universal Music and Digi because someone in charge says we must be good little Muslim boys and girls or we'll be deprived all our lives? Give us all a break YBs.
Two thoughts for you: GUINNESS pays millions of taxes to our coffers that we readily take - yes? and is this the way to become 1 Malaysia?
Just 2 days before Merdeka, lets make some intelligent statements for all our sakes.

MERDEKA

Merdeka day is just around the corner. I received an email from a friend who loves sending radical info and this is another - that we should all wear black! He's not terribly fashionable, so blacks not his fashion colour - like it is for many, many because you can't go wrong with Black. So, friend, black's not a mourning colour for me, and if you should wear black on Merdeka Day your friends might think you're getting fashionable, and that's not bad brudder!

Yesterday I was chatting with Victor Chin who has an exhibition with his friends Peter & wife Yuan, titled EXISTS documenting the passing of their beloved mothers. Iasked him is there an audience, because it's a one of its kind exhibition, and he said with a smile - it does not matter Faridah he said - there have been stories in Sin Chew and Metro Central, and they are happy. Some friends have come, and klpac has given him an extension till Sept. 15. So we talked further and I asked if he would put up an exhibition on animals? Again the smile came on and said, 'you know Faridah, there's a perfect person for this - TV Smith - remember the Dogs of Pulau Ketam, well he took tons of pictures - to cut a long chat short I was on the phone to TV Smith and chatted for a long time, using Victor's handphone (sorry Victor) so, The DOGS of PULAU KETAM exhibition will grace the space sometime this year! I love this life, it opens doors to so many wonderful people and things one can do. So, if you read this and is an animal lover, keep a look out for more news. Yes, we'll collect money and give to animal carers who do not kill off our furry friends. You know what, if someone has an acre or half of that and willing to part for an animal shelter, let me know. Many animal lovers will say a prayer for you.

At klpac, HAMELET was picked up by Helena and has spent 2 days with us. We are hoping he'll find a home soon.

Selamat Hari Merdeka friends. Let's love this country!

Thinking of you, TL, Yasmin, Zoe

Thinking of you, TL, Yasmin, Zoe

It's August 24, the eve of a month of Yasmin's passing. Within that same month, a week later we lost Zoe. A few months prior we said goodbye to TL, my friend and partner at The Actors Studio GreenHall, Penang.


On quiet days like these - third day of fasting,with an exhibition downstairs in the lobby of Pentas 2, entitled EXISTS, by Victor Chin and Peter& Yuan, our thoughts travel back to you and others like my father who passed on in '86 and my mother in '97, at a wonderful age of '93. If my father was still alive he'd be 109, born in 1900. Isn't that glorious! Rest in peace my lovelies.

I glanced through Living Arts for September, Shalu had said goodbye GreenHall, with photos of the good days. Goodbye indeed GreenHall and thanks for the memories of the last 7 years.

Selamat berbuka Puasa.

xx

A SILENT WORLD -26 August

It begins tonight, that long awaited concert with the hearing impaired kids of YMCA - albeit a few are not - this project, graciously supported by CIMB Foundation began last year when Nala was still with us at klpac. It was Nala who began working with Ms. Morley and the hearing impaired a few years back when they worked on a tale inspired by the Tsunami. This year's project gently guided by Adel and Qahar of klpac Academy sees the 14 performers acting out the story of a young boy who dreamt of being a drummer. Several obstacles had to be faced and little challenges taken. Last night at the dress rehearsal there were some tears. It seemed inevitable - after months of great expectations upon oneself and each other. That's when my mind went to Nala as I recall her smiling face when confronting such challenges, accompanied too by her warm hugs. I wish you are here to see the conert Nala.
The Sounds of Silent Dreams is preceeded by a 12 minute Chinese drums performance by the hearing impaired. The DeafBeat are led by Bernard Goh, currently on a two month festival tour in France. From what we saw last night they would make their Si Fu very proud. And Eugene, Ms Morley, Adel, Qahar, Deda plus the silent actors, here's looking forward to next year!

More on S+S 2009

What I wrote previously was by no means complete. I left out Marketing and Publicity, 2 very important components to the successful equation.Our team was Yue May, Shalu and some help from the many interns who come by yearly. From as early as April we had made a pair of Short+Sweet Dance and Short+Sweet Malaysia 2009 espresso mugs, then came the car stickers, T shirts and badges and in between teaser postcards, posters and banners.

We tried to get a sponsor for all these - which amounted to about rm25K, but in vain.

The judges -

For the 2 weeks of Dance there was - Lee Lee Lan, Lee Swee Keong, Noor from Blush, Peter Ong, Farah Sulaiman, Rosheen Fatima - from Time Out, Choy Su Ling, Rathimalar, and Mew Chang Tsing, While the Dance Gala had Ummesh Shetty, Marion D'Cruz, Anthony Meh, Dr. Anis Nor, and Mark Cleary from Short+Sweet International.

For the 2 weeks of Theatre we had - Phin, Reza Zainal Abidin, Norzizi Zulkifli, Doppo Narita, Thor Kah Hoong, Zalfian Fuzi, Andrew Hale, Renee McIntosh, Jo Kukathas and Rosheen Fatima, and the Gala saw U-En Ng, Mono Maniam, Zahim Albakri, Renee and Andrew.

AS FESTIVAL DIRECTOR of SHORT+SWEET 2009

It'll be remiss of me not to write about this time of my life when I took on the role of Festival Director of Short+Sweet 2009. To quote the young ones - it's awesome.



It began last year after the first S+S in KL - the festival director then was Nicole Stinton from Singapore and our team then was small and quite inexperienced - but to their credit - they pulled it off.

This year I was sure I wanted to arm myself with a strong team and I did! With Joe and Mark on one side, Sesha and Ashraf as Production Managers, Michelle as the SM, assisted by Avril, Reuben, Gabrielle, Akilah, Alia, Boy - the back stage tech, Shafie - the sound man and Mazlan - the lighting designer and operator - we pulled it off very well.So what's involved you might ask?


1. The Planning - dates, venues, theatre, dance and what else?
2. workshops
3. Call for entries from writers, choreographers,
4. Registration of directors, actors, dancers
5. Production team
6. Creative team
7. Sponsors
8. (Mind went blank!)
9. assessing scripts
10. Briefing Directors, choreographers
11. Selecting Dancers, Actors
12. Scheduling rehearsals
13. Directors' choice of scripts & actors
14. Timing, timing, timing
15. Scheduling Bump-in, bump-out,
16. Performances
17. ticket sales
18. daily judges
19. Gala judges
20. Closing!!

Puasa Starts today

Here I am in the office after saying bye bye to Gem and Cik Mong, our two cats at klpac who will now move in to live with Sesha and Shalu. Their mother Stokin' will move in after she's spayed this Wednesday. So end our months of boarding Stokin' who walked into klpac followed with two litters, totalling 14 in all. Thankfully all are safe in the arms of their new mums and dads. We still have the three dogs though. It's more difficult to find homes for dogs in this community, so Aric, Shebert and Chelsea have to be content with their shelter and one walkabout a day.



Yes, Puasa starts today. I'm waiting for Joe to finish his rehearsals with the YKLS before we hit the supermarket and shop to ook for tonight's breaking. These are the times when our taste buds reach out for the dalcha, sambal, salad - nothing special, but if you have been having to eat whatever you can find around your workplace for 7 days a week for the last few months, then you'll understand what I mean about today's menu.

It's been a very busy few months with KAKI BLUE and SHORT+SWEET.And it's sooo quiet today. I miss the buzz of the people, stage, performers, techs, ticket sales, and front of house. But this quiet will not last - There'll be Sounds of Silent Dreams, and Hamlet - to name just 2.

May this Holy month fill you with love and warmth.

xx

WHAT A NIGHT!

What an experience last night - Thursday August 13 was. klpac was buzzing with people, not to mention some very special people YB Dato' Dr. Abdul Latiff, Deputy Minister of Defence who came to watch Kaki Blue with Dato' Effendy and Colonel Razak. They were full of praise and YB graciously shook hands with every member of the cast - there was even a small dance step as he walked back to his seat. Such was the man's warm and friendly personality throughout the evening. I think we have found some friends with the National Service via KAKI BLUE, and that warms the cockles of our hearts. Not to forget too Michael Chow and his group from the Lotus Club who also enjoyed the evening, and we enjoyed their presence because of the 2 stunning Lotus parked outside. WOW!





SHORT+SWEET Theatre in it's 2nd week too was filling up the seats with supporters. The 10 plays last week and the 11 this week are getting thunderous applause every night. From the 2 weeks of Dance beginning July 25, there has been nothing but utter joy. Well almost. What's theatre without a little conflict here and there. It's all in the game. Look forward to the GALA this Sunday 16th at 8.30p.m. WOW! WOW! to borrow from one of the plays.

AUGUST 13th THURSDAY

What a wnderful friend you are Jason Koh. To help revive my blog for me. I miss it so very much. So many years have gone by without my WAYANG getting updated. So much have happened in my life which I could not put down here or anywahere other than possibly Facebook - but that's not private enough. This is me and I want to cry and scream with Joy.
Today is another busy day. It's almost 7 p.m. and I should be in Pentas 1 at 7.30 to listento Joe talk to the cast and I tell the cast some exciting news about ticket sales, then off to Pentas 2 at 7.50 to talk to the actors and directors of Short+Sweet week 2! If you don't know what the @#$% I'm talking about, I don't blame you. This is my life in the theatre and I love every second of it.
Today I had discussions with 3 theatre people, namely Jon from Ipoh, James from Perth and Doppo from Japan! Now how exciting is that!
Hopefully it's full houses tonight for both Short+Sweet and Kaki Blue. Full houses for Kaki Blue means more money for the cast & crew. Love you all!!