On a fine Tuesday afternoon, I was reading the papers as usual, and when I came across the review of Someone Who'll Watch Over Me in The Star (Jan 11, 2011), I knew I have to watch it. Even if it means defying all social stigma, I was willing to go and watch it, ALONE! Yes, my desires were that strong, cause I really really wanted to go.
Why were my desires so strong?
After reading the awesome review, I told myself, "hey, this could be worth money.. I should give it a try!". And from that enthusiasm grew a strong desire and need to go for Frank McGuinness's Someone Who'll Watch Over Me. When was the last time I went to a play? Or a musical? Or anything performing arts-related? A really, really long time ago. School productions are needless to say, not part of the count. I think my last actual theatre production was... Avenue Q, Singapore, late 2008. Boy, that was a long time ago!
Anyhow, this play was directed by Joe Hasham, the theatre stalwart. This Actors Studio production is directed and produced by the husband-wife duo; Hasham and Dato' Faridah Merican respectively. They are the godparents of Malaysian theatre. And it is well-known that Joe Hasham's plays are deep and thought-provoking. And I love deep and thought-provoking.
I couldn't help it but to feel instant mundaneness in my life at almost every second. I do wanna enjoy life, get out more often. Living the fast lane... but, hmm, I don't know how to put them in delicate words, so I shan't mention it. Hence, when an opportunity as such slides in, how can I say no? Like, it seems like an interesting play (read the review), and I love the theatre! I cannot skip this opportunity for some good ol' appreciation of The Arts. I simply cannot.
Finding the right people to go.
Just like before asking someone out for a date, you would scout for similar interests, and chemistry connections. That way, you would most likely not risk a potential disaster date, am I not correct?! Well same applies to my theory of asking-someone-to-accompany-me-to-the-play. I do not want to simply select someone to go with me. I do not want the potential someone to be disappointed, if he/she is not into theatres and such. And I certainly do not want to set an expectation bar for a newbie, and have it lowered if the play is a flop or something. So many risks!
I may be fussy, but I believe that whatever I do, wherever is it I go, I need to be with someone I can 'connect' with. Even if it's just friends, best buds etc. Not necessarily only romantic pursuits. Of course, I'd love to meet new people, enhance my social circle, but when it comes to serious things (yes, I consider play productions to be serious matters), I have certain circumstances.
But, I'm not saying that I'm choosy with selecting friends and all. I'm flexible! You treat me nice, I'll treat you nice lah. Win-win situation.
But heck, it wasn't easy. Looking for someone to go with me. Some just plainly did not fucking respond. I don't fucking care anymore. Some bailed out. Some couldn't make it, but oh well. I let you off my radar if you respond, so thank you to those who did! *hint hint more sarcastic bitch-lashing to come* Okay, I mean that with a tinge of humour, I wanna be less bitter this year. Muahaha.
I went through lengths to get someone to go with me. It was just exhausting. But finally, finally! Someone is actually interested! I was so delighted at that moment. Like, yayyyyy! *runs around in circles*
How did it go?
The play was top-notch. I went with an awesome friend who had no experience with performing arts. But even so, both of us agreed that it was splendid in many levels. The acting was stellar, albeit only with only three cast members; an American, an Irishman, and an Englishman, and props that consist of a single lightbulb, bottles of water, thin and barely-there mattresses, the Quran and Bible, and... that's about it.
The witty remarks of Edward (Kingsley Judd), the Irish journalist, was at times, hard to comprehend because of his thick accent, but I love his humour and sarcasm. Michael (Charles Donnelly), the English university professor was really a sanctimonious prig, to his own claim. Adam (Gavin Yap), the American doctor was always exercising, keeping up with his routine. The three innocent men, of different nationalities and backgrounds, trying hard to keep each other sane. Although they threw cruel remarks at each other, but I really felt their need to remain human and go through their days. How would you feel one fine day, to be caught and held hostage, and never know when your time is? How does it feel to be stuck in a windowless cell, oblivious to the outside world? To have someone listening you, so you'd have to fake laughs in order to show the guards that you're okay? It's not easy. It mustn't be.
There were a lot of humour going on, Irish jokes like how they are the ones that invented foreplay, and that foreplay is alcohol. I love Judd's portrayal of Edward. From an audience's point of view, it's as though they've lost their sanity, stuck in their bubble for too long, with the reenactment of Virginia Wade's Wimbledon match, to singing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang whilst imagining to be in a flying car.
But some scenes really moved my heart away with full-blown emotions. One of it was watching Adam singing 'Amazing Grace', and the other two thanking him cause they really needed to hear those verses from the song. They 'wrote' letters, verbally, to their loved ones back home. Just an assurance that everything's alright. Their extraordinary performance was so immense, with Ella Fitzgerald's Someone To Watch Over Me playing at the end of every scene was hauntingly beautiful. I shed a few tears towards the ending. You can really feel what these men went through. It is after all based on a true story.
So overall, I enjoyed my Sunday thoroughly. Not only the play itself, but also the rest of the day in summary. I went through lengths, high and lows, to go to this. And I did. And it was worth every penny, every blood, sweat and tears involved. Now, I feel like going for all of the KLPac events. Feel like attending more theatre productions. Make full use of my student privileges. Ke ke ke.
People should really start appreciating The Arts, and also understanding what's theatre. Do not be surprised, some may still question as to what a 'play' is. The trend of The Arts is growing among the young Malaysians, and I hope the people are more open to performing arts. Watching these actors perform on stage with their full might, I gotta take my hat off to them. Just plain stellar.
Ratings?
9/10. I would come back to Actors Studio for more. It's better to spend my moolah on substantial talent and solid performances, rather than on clothes or accessories, no matter how pretty or a steal they may be.
Some say I'm an old lady at heart. "Kids our age go for movies, not to the theatre!" Well I'm defying all social norms! If it pleases me, I shall head to the theatre and watch a play. Do not diss my preference on what's fun to me. I am not amused with the usual teenage routines. HAHAHHAHA. That was just a Queen Victoria reference. I do the usual teen things too, of course. :)
The witty remarks of Edward (Kingsley Judd), the Irish journalist, was at times, hard to comprehend because of his thick accent, but I love his humour and sarcasm. Michael (Charles Donnelly), the English university professor was really a sanctimonious prig, to his own claim. Adam (Gavin Yap), the American doctor was always exercising, keeping up with his routine. The three innocent men, of different nationalities and backgrounds, trying hard to keep each other sane. Although they threw cruel remarks at each other, but I really felt their need to remain human and go through their days. How would you feel one fine day, to be caught and held hostage, and never know when your time is? How does it feel to be stuck in a windowless cell, oblivious to the outside world? To have someone listening you, so you'd have to fake laughs in order to show the guards that you're okay? It's not easy. It mustn't be.
There were a lot of humour going on, Irish jokes like how they are the ones that invented foreplay, and that foreplay is alcohol. I love Judd's portrayal of Edward. From an audience's point of view, it's as though they've lost their sanity, stuck in their bubble for too long, with the reenactment of Virginia Wade's Wimbledon match, to singing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang whilst imagining to be in a flying car.
But some scenes really moved my heart away with full-blown emotions. One of it was watching Adam singing 'Amazing Grace', and the other two thanking him cause they really needed to hear those verses from the song. They 'wrote' letters, verbally, to their loved ones back home. Just an assurance that everything's alright. Their extraordinary performance was so immense, with Ella Fitzgerald's Someone To Watch Over Me playing at the end of every scene was hauntingly beautiful. I shed a few tears towards the ending. You can really feel what these men went through. It is after all based on a true story.
So overall, I enjoyed my Sunday thoroughly. Not only the play itself, but also the rest of the day in summary. I went through lengths, high and lows, to go to this. And I did. And it was worth every penny, every blood, sweat and tears involved. Now, I feel like going for all of the KLPac events. Feel like attending more theatre productions. Make full use of my student privileges. Ke ke ke.
People should really start appreciating The Arts, and also understanding what's theatre. Do not be surprised, some may still question as to what a 'play' is. The trend of The Arts is growing among the young Malaysians, and I hope the people are more open to performing arts. Watching these actors perform on stage with their full might, I gotta take my hat off to them. Just plain stellar.
Ratings?
9/10. I would come back to Actors Studio for more. It's better to spend my moolah on substantial talent and solid performances, rather than on clothes or accessories, no matter how pretty or a steal they may be.
Some say I'm an old lady at heart. "Kids our age go for movies, not to the theatre!" Well I'm defying all social norms! If it pleases me, I shall head to the theatre and watch a play. Do not diss my preference on what's fun to me. I am not amused with the usual teenage routines. HAHAHHAHA. That was just a Queen Victoria reference. I do the usual teen things too, of course. :)
PS. Need I re-emphasize on how much I loved the play? Well, I just want to. I LOVE IT.
PPS. Oh yeah, I saw both Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican that day. And and and... Harith Iskandar and Mano Maniam! Veterans all these! *fangirl mode*
2 comments:
wow interesting
The play, or the blog post?
I think they are going to Singapore! You have to catch it!
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