‘IT's an ideal opportunity to do theatre in three languages — English, Mandarin and Malay,’ says Loh Kok Man, director of The Tragicomedy Of Errors.
A Pentas Project Theatre Production, Loh is using an authorised adaptation of Secret Love In Peach Blossom Land for a trilingual version come Oct 18.
In 1986, Performance Workshop set an important milestone for Taiwan contemporary theatre by challenging the boundaries of tragedy and comedy with this.
The story revolves around two theatre companies that are forced to rehearse at the same place, due to the mismanagement of the theatre personnel.
“The script offered the opportunity for changes, so I changed one story to Malay and the conversation between the two theatre troupes into English. It's exciting to explore this concept and come up with a theatre production with a trilingual setting.
“The challenge for me is working for the first time with Malay and English theatre people. I communicate constantly in three languages with the cast and thankfully, it’s not that difficult. Communication is universal and it pulls through in various ways eventually,” says Loh who also made his mark as a lighting designer.
Loh founded Pentas Project Theatre Production in 2005, winning several Boh Cameronian Arts Awards over the years.
Peach Blossom Land is adapted from poet Tao Yuanming's comedy work. The fast-paced satire is about a depressed and anxious fisherman who has trespassed on Peach Blossom Land by accident.
The land is isolated from a troubled world, but the fisherman wants to go home. Married to this story is Secret Love, adapted into Malay by Aswara lecturer Fasyali Fadzly.
Secret Love follows an interracial relationship set in 1969, during the tumultuous period of Malaya. Towards the end of his life, the man in the relationship longs to meet his old lover.
In The Tragicomedy Of Errors, the theatre troupes communicate in English throughout their rehearsal process.
The two groups struggle for control of the big stage, which results in chaos and comical squabbles.
Their contrasting worlds come together eventually and creates surprising new layers of meaning that are on equal parts, tragically moving and comically erroneous.
The production showcases an ensemble of talent from the stage and screen, including Anne James, Bella Rahim, Na'a Murad, Vernon Adrian Emuang, Nabil Zakaria and Jet Lew. Lenna Lim, of The Kid From The Big Apple fame, will be making her theatre debut in Secret Love as the female lead, as well as her first attempt at performing in Malay with Anwar Rusdini.
Peach Blossom Land will feature MayJune Tan, Leow Hui Min and local theatre veteran Yeo Lyle. Popular comedic actress Miau Miau will be making a guest appearance as a “mysterious lady”, a transitional character who subtly weaves through the various chapters of the entire story and brings out the symbolism and awareness of the “search”.
The 135-minute theatre production promises to be a feast of entertaining Malaysiana on stage.
Loh says that “this is oh-so-very-new for a theatre-maker like myself to curate”.
“Working with the different groups of actors allows us all to learn from each other. We are exploring theatre-making together. And I really think that that’s the most beautiful thing for me to experience in this production. I am also excited to see how the audience will respond to such a work,” he says with utmost optimism.
The Tragicomedy Of Errors
When: Oct 18-21, 8.30pm with 3pm weekend matinees
Where: Pentas 1, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Sentul, KL
Tickets from RM83 (adults) & RM63 (disabled, students and seniors)
Visit www.ticketpro.com.my. Call 03-4047 9000 (KLPaC) or 017-3828 637 (Pentas Project).
Note: With English and Mandarin surtitles. Suitable for age 6 and above.