CLOTHING AND PROPS NEEDED

We are looking for old items of Chinese clothing as well as props for the mining scene for the upcoming production "Shiny Black Gold" such as cangkuls, spades, old rattan chairs or baskets etc...If you have any of the following items which you wish to get rid off or loan, kindly get in touch with us either vide our facebook page or by calling Sara at the PSPA office 05-5487814

GOD OF CARNAGE

God of Carnage (http://www.pjla.com.my/event/god-carnage) which opens next week [28 April - 8 May] at PJ Live Arts Theatre, Petaling Jaya as part of the the PJ Laugh Fest 2011.

Shakespeare’s Plays Make a Comeback in Ipoh

Royal intrigue, the brandishing of knives and guns, sixteenth century costumes and a touch of Bollywood marked the return of Shakespeare’s plays to the Ipoh stage on 25 March at the ACS school auditorium. Students from SMK Convent, Methodist Girls School (MGS) and the Ipoh International School enacted selected scenes from three plays, King Lear, Twelfth Night and Julius Caesar. They had different takes on Shakespeare and their efforts on stage proved they had skill and poise beyond their years.

The stage performance is one of the many events in the Perak Performing Arts Festival (PPAF) being organised by the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA). It is a community outreach programme involving selected schools in Ipoh. This pilot project, titled Exploring Shakespeare, aims to lead students into an exploration of the works of the literary genius, William Shakespeare. The programme is the brainchild of Dato’ Richard Small and Chin Yoong Kim, drama aficionados and distinguished academicians in Ipoh literary circles, who were also the advisors and mentors. In his opening speech, Dato’ Richard highlighted the importance of diction, enunciation and stagecraft in stage performances, and commended the students who were able to put up a show with less than one month of preparation.

SMK Convent put up a commendable performance of Twelfth Night. With an all-girls cast, the students appeared comfortable taking on male and female roles. The scenes focused on the arrogant steward to the countess Olivia, Malvolio, who was convinced that his lady had designs on him and wished to marry him. Not realising he had been set up by the servants of the house, he acted out his delusions, showing a pomposity that was contemptible yet amusing. The students played their roles eloquently, dramatising the trickery and deception in the play to the delight of the audience.

Yong Sook Yan was in her element as Malvolio and rightly deserved the Best Actor award for her succinct portrayal of the deluded steward.

King Lear came alive with the MGS students giving their all in the tragedy. The play is about a foolish king who gave away his kingdom to his two older daughters, only to realise his folly at the end when it was too late. He had disinherited his youngest daughter, Cordelia, because she fell short when professing her love for him. However the end saw him dying of grief when he realised the truth. Another all-girls cast, the students mesmerised the audience with their quite flawless acting and display of subtle nuances of emotion, showing a maturity of performance that kept the audience captivated. Alia Amira Zuhdi, the protaganist, won the Best Actor award for her brilliant portrayal of King Lear in this play.

The Ipoh International School went with an unusual adaption of Julius Caesar.

Its international cast showcased a Bollywood-Malaysia-Shakespeare-styled stage production which went down very well with the audience. With an extraordinary combination of comedy, history, treachery, betrayal and murder, the performance was both humorous and sombre. The performers proved they were truly inventive and creative and kept the audience entertained throughout. Balakarthik a/l Balaravi was the best actor in this play.

His portrayal of Julius Caesar was a depiction of confidence, finesse and passion.

The judges for the event were Neil Sutherland and Carol Armour from Kolej Yayasan UEM who quite impressed with the students’ acting abilities and encouraged them to further explore this genre of the arts.

The PSPA President, Datin Rosalina Ooi-Thong, herself an admirer of Shakespeare, expresses hope that this event will lead to a revival of stage productions of Shakespeare’s many great plays in Ipoh.

ODISSI

Perak Performing Arts Festival 2011

“A Passion to Perform”

Encouraging and Developing a Greater Knowledge and Understanding of the Arts in the State of Perak

Perak residents are in for exciting times come March 2011 when the Perak Performing Arts Festival (PPAF) is brought to their doorstep in grand fashion. Organised by the Perak Society of Performing Arts (PSPA), the Festival will see the performing arts coming to the forefront, paying tribute to the arts and celebrating its significance in the lives of those who have been impacted by it. With performances lined up right into September 2011, Perak audiences are sure to be enthralled and captivated by performers of diverse talents who will participate in the different genres of music, song, dance and drama during the Festival.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (1917-1963) once said "The life of the arts, far from being an interruption, a distraction, in the life of a nation, is very close to the centre of a nation's purpose - and is a test of the quality of a nation's civilization." Extolling the virtues and intrinsic worth of the arts in the belief that it effectively enhances our quality of life and gives it purpose and direction, Kennedy believed that we are a better civilisation because of it.

The same belief is held by PSPA, a non-profit organisation with volunteer members, whose aim is to encourage and develop a greater knowledge and understanding of the arts in the state of Perak. Its President, Datin Rosalina Ooi-Thong, believes that the performing arts is an integral and essential part of the human experience, and is a measure of a progressive society. Engagement with the arts adds value to our lives, creating in us a sensitivity that only comes with greater understanding of the human condition.

As such the society seeks to become an effective catalyst for the enrichment, growth and practice of the performing arts within the state of Perak. This is done by increasing its accessibility to the public, improving its standards and execution and collaborating with government departments and other arts groups to create an artistically vibrant society in Perak.

The Performing Arts Festival is an endeavour to make the aspirations of PSPA become reality. Datin Rosalina is confident that the Festival will help fill the void in the Perak arts scene by engaging with talents from all walks of life and age groups, harnessing and tapping existing talents, fostering creative expression, and at the same time providing exposure to students who have an inherent interest and wish to pursue a career in the performing arts.

The Perak Performing Arts Festival event has received the blessings of the Perak Menteri Besar, Y.A.B. Dato’ Seri Dr. Zambry bin Abd. Kadir, who also serves as its Patron. PSPA is also privileged to have DYMM Paduka Seri Sultan Azlan Muhibbudin Shah, Sultan Yang Di-Pertuan dan Raja Pemerintah Negeri Perak as the Royal Patron for the Festival. As icing on the cake, Ipoh-born international actress Dato Michelle Yeoh has graciously agreed to be the Performing Arts Icon.

The Festival kicks off with a community outreach programme involving four selected school in Ipoh, namely MGS, St Michael’s, ACS and Main Convent. This pilot project, aptly titled Exploring Shakespeare, aims to lead students into an exploration of the works of Shakespeare, a literary genius whose plays have been immortalised in the many stage performances around the world.

The students will be staging selected acts from Macbeth, King Lear, Twelfth Night and Julius Ceasar. The programme which stretches from early March to end-March, is the brainchild of Dato’ Richard Small and Chin Yoong Kim, drama aficionados and distinguished academicians in Ipoh literary circles. The stage performance will be on 25 March at the ACS Hall. Admission to this event is free.

Simultaneously, Reaching Out Through Art by Ipoh-born architect and author Theresa Lim, will be held from 11-12 March. With a ‘Charity Dinner Talk & Art Exhibition’ held on 11 March and a ‘Storytelling & Painting’ session on 12 March, this event aims to raise funds for the Perak Autistic Society.

Theresa Lim who happens to be the first woman architect in Perak, developed a keen interest in art from a very young age. She is also well-known for the two books she published on her early years in Ipoh. As a gesture of goodwill, Theresa is donating fifty of her art pieces to Perak.

Meanwhile, expect a scintillating performance on 19 March at 7.15pm during Ipoh Oscar Night.

Broadway entertainment, performances from a Chinese Kung Fu group and vocal performances of evergreen classic Chinese songs are the high points of the evening which aims to raise funds for two charities, The New Horizon Society and Pertubuhan Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Setia in Silibin, Ipoh.

A play that holds special and personal meaning for Perakians is one of the main highlights of the Festival. PSPA’s own in-house musical production Shiny Black Gold will be from 20-22 May.

With the script written by Datin Rosalina herself and music by Christopher Tse, the musical gives an insight into the lives of people during the glorious days of tin mining in Perak. Spanning the Japanese Occupation, Communist Insurgence and the period just after the war, the play explores the lives of the Chinese who migrated to Malaysia to work in the mines. Expect a riveting performance from a group of talented actors and actresses.

Perak Choral Festival to be held from 18-20 June, celebrates the vocal prowess of Perak’s talented choirs and the German Youth Choir ‘Heidelberger Jugendchor’.

There will also be guest performances from KL Children’s Choir, MIA Ladies Chorus and Caipifruta. On top of that, a choral training workshop will be conducted by vocal expert Susanna Saw on 18 June.

In the following month, from 1-2 July, Perak Dance Festival takes centre stage, featuring dance troupes of various nationalities, cultures and ethnic groups who will showcase their talent in various genres over two days.

The Dance Festival will feature two events – Dance Festival and Dance Gala. Dance Festival, on 2 July from 10am-5pm, will see performances from different dance schools and centres in Perak whilst Dance Gala on 1&2 July at 8pm, includes performances by special guest artistes from Singapore Dance Theatre, ASWARA, winners of the Dance Society of Malaysia competition, professional dancers from Hong Kong and Latin dance champions.

Also in the month of July will be Perak’s very own Kinta Valley Wind Orchestra, under the direction of Eugene Pook who promises a mesmerising performance on 31 July.

Fresh from the success of the KVWO’s debut in Ipoh last year, Eugene is once again set to earn rave reviews with his musical prowess at this Festival. KVWO’s specially arranged performance for the Festival titled ‘Around the world in 80 minutes’ will feature Eugene’s wide musical repertoire.

PSPA’s International Ensemble 2011 intends to dazzle audiences on 21 August.

Its concert titled ‘Butterfly Lovers & Love Songs’, will see Perakians enjoying instrumental and vocal performances by musicians from South East Asia, Eastern Europe and America. Making up the Ensemble will be a conductor, a vocalist and ten musicians.

What better way to end the Festival than with a rousing, joyous parade of bands marching together at a momentous occasion. Held in conjunction with Malaysia Day on 16 September, Perak Top Marching Bands which include school bands and a military band will bring the Festival to a close at the Ipoh Padang.

For further information on the Perak Performing Arts Festival, please call PSPA at 05-5487814, Witzi at 012-5088818 or email to pspa2011fest@gmail.com

Sandra Rajoo