Mahsuri

Went to the Mahsuri play last night with these lovely ladies - Mom, ZZ, Mak Anjang, Mak Teh, TiLong Anis and Urfiah. Nazz also came with ZZ. It was kind of our Mother's Day outing sambil-sambil appreciating the local arts and culture.  

The casts were pretty well-known with Vanida Imran taking the lead as the title role. Her Wan Darus was this guy from a reality TV program, Arja Lee - he has such a heavenly voice... My favourites were Shabera Shaik as the evil villain Mahura and how can you not just love Azizah Mahzan (of SpaQ!) as the busy-body Andartu. But, most of all, our friend, Adriana Mohd Badri was part of the chorus as the orang kampung called Intan. (She even has a name!) You won't miss her coz she has a big yellow flower on her hair all the time! hihihihihihihihi.. Great job, Rina.. So proud of you!!!!!

Bumped into many familiar faces, popular and not-so-popular. Will be uploading the pose we had with the casts (even got autographs - jangan jeles..) and our rubbing shoulders with the local celebs when I am done ciloking it from those with proper camera. (Sheesh, I really need a compact camera soon) 

Whilst waiting, do feast on the papparazzi picture of the tubby Mr. Ghazari Amri Sanusi with Puan Laila. Man, have not seen him since ADP. hihihihihi...  

-dillz blogging out-

Hang Tuah, Hang Jebat

GAMARJOBAT - What does it mean, really? According to Ketch & Hiro-pon, it means everything and nothing.

After reading rave reviews from Afdlin's blog last year, we were very pleased to find out that they have returned to this side of the shore yet again for another round of laughs. We were contemplating very hard whether or not to watch the show seeing that the ticket is priced at some RM60 a pop. As luck would have it, I was at Starbucks one fine day and read a brochure that said:

With a receipt of any amount from Starbucks, get a second ticket to watch Gamarjobat for free.

I called up hubby at once and we bought 2 tickets and got 2 free ones. We invited my two (then-single) sisters to watch it with us.

After seeing the show, I had to agree. It really was very very good. The two mohawk mimes really used the audience and had such great stage presence. It really proves that you don't have to say anything to be funny. They really raised miming to a whole new level. Not your typical black-and-white tuxedo wearing, white faced person being stuck in a box kind of mime.

The whole show actually consists of 2 mini shows. The first part is when they warm the audience up, putting everyone in the mood. I loved the fact that they actually took what was happening around them, in the hall, and incorporated them into the show, might I add, quite effortlessly. For instance, the audience who came in late -- Aaahhhhh .. Bad mistake.... ;) (Note to self: Don't be late if we watch them again next year!)

The second part was a long sketch about The Boxer. There were several characters in the sketch: the boxer, the old coach, the girlfriend, the opponents ; but they were all played by the dynamic duo. I was most impressed by their body movements, especially when they did the slo-mo actions. Every muscle was orchestrated and performed to perfection! Best part is, we got to eat after the show. The grubs were very tasty. Oh yes, they also autographed our posters and I'd also like to point out that we were first in line! ;)

Verdict: Very entertaining and very very funny.

I just couldn't get over the fact that one of them really really looks like Kalai...

-dillz blogging out-

Music To My Ears

*from my other blog at Dilla Speaks Out

PUTERI GUNUNG LEDANG - The Musical Season 2 WITH ENGLISH SURTITLES

That’s what you’ll read on the RM15 Program Book. Surtitles? Titles that are shared in common to identify the members in a ‘group’? Hmm… What does that mean? Not a very good first impression, I must say. I mean, didn’t they proof read it? I thought this production was supposed to be of International Standard. After all, we did pay RM100 per pax.

Hubby, me, Ema and Pez went to watch PGLTM (S2) last Friday, 18th of August 2006.We got to rub shoulders with some celebrities, though. I noticed Zahim Al-Bakri, Yasmin Hani Wacca!!! and Fazura. (Infact, Hani and Fazura sat in the same row as us.. So, it was more like rubbing ankles, like that..) The Emcee started the show by asking us to clap really loudly and delivered more bad news; AC Mizal wasn’t there and the part of Gusti Adipati will be played by Wan Shades. Dang it! I was soo looking forward to watching him..

The curtain finally opens and my jaw immediately dropped. (In a good way) WOW-wie!!! My heart was filled with pride — proud that this particular production was made by Malaysians and it was totally awesome! The casts were being lifted up and down the stage space — Hurray for hydraulics! It was indescribable (for the lack of a better word, I guess) It was truly magnificent! I was amazed, I couldn’t help but clapped really loudly everytime the main casts made their entrance.

The set was incredible — I noticed that the props were really used in so many ways. One point it was a hill, and another point in time it was the entrance to the courtyard… The movement of casts, who doubled up to set the stage. I remember those days, during our school production - we had people running around in black track bottom and CREW printed on the back of their t-shirt. Remember them? Well, none of those here! The costume — genuinely original and functional at the same time. I was taken by the fact that the ladies were wearing sarongs which were actually pants! Kewl beyond words! Loved the ensemble. The songs were catchy, the direction was great great great! It was like watching a production on Broadway (I guess.. not that I have ever been to NY) My eyes were always loking out for this particular girl, Ruzana Ibrahim since she was one of Ema’s friend - even came to Pondok Azlul early this month for Ema’s party. That wasn’t really hard since she was a tall girl.. Anyways, I really thought that they were really good and they seemed to enjoy performing their numbers.

Main casts - Tiara (Gusti Puteri) did an awesome job. She was beautiful, had a decent voice and a great performer. Only comment, I think she is a little old to be Puteri Gunung Ledang. But then again, the production is her baby - whatever she wants, goes then. But, in all honesty, you go, girl! Wan Shades (Gusti Adipati) was good, but I had my heart set on watching AC Mizal. Yalal Chin (Patih) was great - he was not feeling well at that time too.. At one point he was coughing quite bad.. Bayan was also good and believable. Then, came in the Melaka entourage — Hang Tuah was a dream!!!! Doesn’t sound like he couldn’t speak a word of Malay. Hubby pointed out that the costume really showed off how buff he was. ( Not that I was staring or anything, heh heh heh) AND, he has such a strong singing voice… Adlin Aman Ramli (Sultan) was of course entertaining, especially when he did that fast number!

After the standing ovation, there was a little autograph signing ceremony going on at the lobby. Managed to get Stephen Rahman-Hughes, Tiara, Wan Shades, the little Raja Ahmad and Yalal Chin to sign my Program Book. (Yes, the one with English Surtitles, that one..) Then, we took some silly pictures and went home.. (Pix will be uploaded once I get it off Ema - DONE!)

Aaaahh… I sure had such sweet dreams that night..

-dillz blogging out-