Post by anastasia on Sept 8, 2021 20:20:58 GMT 7
TUNKU The Musical (Streaming Extended Until 12th September 2021 Midnight @ KLPAC YouTube)
Due to overwhelming demand from the public, klpac’s streaming of “TUNKU The Musical” will be extended until the midnight of 12 September 2021 so that more can enjoy this historic musical from the comfort of their homes. It will also help usher in Malaysia Day celebrations as well which falls on 16 September.
Just a week after its online premiere on Malaysia’s 64th Independence Day, the archival recording from the 2007 staging has garnered almost 8,000 views from all over the world.
There was an outpouring of support from audiences and artistes alike. Some audiences commented how grateful they were as they missed the original staging while performers
reminisced the time when they could tread the boards.
"It's definitely worth watching...a feeling of hopefulness that things would change for the better and considering how turbulent the past 18 months has been, it felt very appropriate watching it now", shared Lim Sue Ann, Producer / Presenter of BFM89.9.
Even though venues around the country are still shut, hopefully this small effort about Malaysian history written by two Ipoh boys, created and performed for Malaysians will continue to bring joy, a sense of nostalgia and hope to the people of Malaysia as we look towards healing and rebuilding.
An original creation by director Joe Hasham OAM for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations 14 years ago, Executive Producer Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican felt it was appropriate to this production now as the future of Malaysia is playing in everyone’s minds and how we will emerge from this catastrophic year.
This musical brings you through a 50-year journey beginning from Merdeka Day through the Singapore-Malaya separation, the 1969 riots and to the year it was staged. It has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday morning 31st August, 1957, when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country. Today, it serves as a great reminder to Malaysians to stay hopeful, stay united and to use your voice to build a future that Malaysia deserves.
Written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, “TUNKU The Musical” was first presented in 2007 by Petra Foundation and co-sponsored by CELCOM and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. Starring Tony Eusoff in lead, along with Maria Yasmin (who won the Best Solo Performance, Voice at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2007), Douglas Lim, Syuk Ibrahim, Evelyn Toh, Doreen Tang and Zamil Idris, with 46 talented ensemble and an 18-piece orchestra playing over 30 original compositions.
“TUNKU The Musical” is part of WFH@klpac (Watch from Home) series as it endures its third lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has cost it more than RM2 million in losses. Though the screening will be free, donations are welcomed via www.klpac.org/donations/.
SCREENING DETAILS
Title: TUNKU The Musical
Synopsis:
In conjunction with Malaysia’s Independence Day on 31 August 2021, klpac will be releasing an archival recording of “TUNKU The Musical” on YouTube free for the public from 12pm on 31 August 2021 until the midnight on 12 September 2021.
An original creation by director Joe Hasham OAM for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations, it seems apt to revisit this production now as the future of Malaysia is playing in everyone’s minds and how we will emerge from this catastrophic year.
“TUNKU The Musical”, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, brings you through a 50-year musical journey beginning from Merdeka Day through the Singapore-Malaya separation, the 1969 riots and to the year it was staged, 2007. The hit musical has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday
morning 31st August, 1957, when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country. Today, it serves as a great reminder to Malaysians to stay hopeful, stay united and to use your voice to build a future that Malaysia deserves.
Date & Time: 31 August 2021 12.00pm - 12 September 2021 11.59pm
Platform: klpac’s YouTube channel
Production Team: Director, Creative Concept, Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Writer / Composer: Lim Chuang Yik
Writer: Teng Ky-Gan
Musical Director, Conductor & Choral Master: Mervyn Peters
Choreographer: Joseph Gonzales
Costume Designer: Dominique Devorsine
Breathing Master: Dominique Lonchant
Production Designer: Paul Loosley
Main Cast:
Tony Eusoff as Syed, Syuk Ibrahim as Ali, Douglas Lim as Paul, Zamil Idris as Malik, Maria Yasmin as Maria, Doreen Tang as Fauzia, Evelyn Toh as Cik Tan.
Ensemble Members:
A. Aris A. Kadir, Abigail Barragry, Alicia Tahnee Daniel, Anas Firdaus bin Md Sharif, Azmir Abdullah, Carol Wu, Chang Fang Chyi, Choi Chin Yang, Choy Le Roy, Fariza bt. Zainul Ariffin, Glamorique, Gloria Patie, Hazra bt. Ghazaly, Ho Soon Yoon, Isma Hanum Husein, Ismadian Ismail, Jessica Ho, Joe Wong, Johann Lim, Joylynn The, Khairul Nizam bin Nazri, Lakshman Balakrishnan, Lee Wen Yan, Leo Selvaraj, Liu Yong Sean, Low Wai Keat, Mark Beau de Silva, Maybel Chan, Mohd Nur Faillul bin Adam, Nicholas de Warren-Chinn, Nicholas Pang, Nicole Fuchs, Norbaizura bt. Abdul Ghani, Norsafini bt. Jafar, Nur Arina Hamzah, Pat Chan, Payal Vashist, Sean Yap, Shariffah Mariam bt. Syed Abdullah, Sharlene Rani a/p Kumaravellu, Sufinah bt. Abu Bakar, Tabitha Kong, Valerie Low, W. Nurul Ameera bt. W. Mazlan, Yugeetha Ramasamy, Zachary Nong Ke Lud, Zamzuriah bt. Zahari Donation: www.klpac.org/donations/
Website: www.klpac.org/
BIODATA of Creative & Production Team
Joe Hasham OAM (Director, Creative Concept, Artistic Director)
Joe was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, did his schooling in Sydney, Australia, moved to Malaysia in 1984 and is now a proud permanent resident of his adopted country. Joe is Artistic Director of The Actors Studio, which he set up with his wife Faridah in 1989 and also Artistic Director of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Joe is a graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the University of NSW, Sydney, Australia. Before he made the decision to come to Malaysia, he was one of the most sought after actors in Australia. Joe is a multi award winning film director, actor, writer and recording artist.
Joe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), within the Australian Honours System "For Service to the performing arts through The Actors Studio (Malaysia) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; and, as an actor, writer, producer and director". Joe is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Artistic Director of TUTAS, Malaysia's first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University.
Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican (Executive Producer)
Known as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Faridah’s early acting credits include such plays as ‘Lela Mayang’, ‘Tok Perak’, ‘Uda dan Dara’ and ‘Alang Rentak Seribu’, works that defined the Malaysian theatre in the 60s and 70s, and determined the direction that theatre would take in the next few decades.
In the early 60s, she joined Radio and TV Malaysia. Simultaneously, she was involved in the formative years of Malaysian Advertising, and is today, a member of the board of directors of Ogilvy & Mather. She also sits on the board of several other institutions.
In 1989, Faridah co-founded The Actors Studio with her husband Joe Hasham OAM. In June of 2003, floods destroyed the entire complex of The Actors Studio in Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka. Out of that devastation, Faridah’s ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude generated yet another ground-breaking event – the birth of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, set up by the YTL Group, Yayasan Budi Penyayang and The Actors Studio.
Over the years, Faridah has been awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara in 1973, the Darjah Johan Negeri in 2001, the Johan Setia Mahkota in 2004, the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005,Faridah was conferred the ‘Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the occasion of His Highness’ 83rd Birthday. The following year, she received an Honorary Master of Letters at University Sains Malaysia’s 35th Convocation. Finally in 2014, Faridah received the Outstanding Achievement award under the Arts, Culture and Entertainment category from the Inaugural Malaysian Women of Excellence Awards. Faridah now sits on The Laureate Advisory Board and is also the Executive Producer and co-founder of the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac).
She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by Taylor’s University in 2018. Faridah is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Development Director of TUTAS, Malaysia's first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University. Lim Chuang Yik (Writer / Composer)
Chuang Yik was born in the town of good food, Ipoh, 28 years ago. Having spent his formative years in the premier ACS Ipoh, he went on to pursue higher education in the town of equally good food, Penang. He now has to settle for Kuala Lumpur, the city of expensive, though not necessarily good, food.
Chuang Yik’s first professional musical composition was Broken Bridges, which took one year to complete, but spent four years in gestation. Tunku is Chuang Yik’s second professional collaboration with long-time friend, Teng Ky-Gan.
Chuang Yik has yet to receive any formal music training.
A registered pharmacist by profession, Chuang Yik works for a multinational pharmaceutical company.
Teng Ky-Gan (Writer)
Teng Ky-Gan’s last musical was Broken Bridges; written together with composer Lim Chuang Yik at a time when he thought Ipoh was the centre of the universe. Ky-Gan lives and breathes opera, and thinks he can sing opera as well, if only he can do the vibrato without faking it.
His first role as a prince in the King and I at the age of 11 spurred a theatrical frenzy, until he was 20 when he realized that writing is more for him, as it doesn’t involve expanding the size of his tiny eyes with eyeliners. Writing makes him happy and free- as a shot of good whiskey would. He hopes to write enough plays one day to have his name on the board next to Pentas 1 at klpac.
Tunku is his second collaboration with Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican. The libretto is the most difficult piece he has ever written to date, and hopes people will notice the clever alliterations and rhymes.
He works in a different pharmaceutical company as Chuang Yik.
Mervyn Peters (Musical Director, Conductor & Choral Master)
Mervyn’s involvement and experience in musical theatre is as varied as it is extensive. His broad range of talent has seen him take on the role of Producer, Director, Conductor, Chorus Master, Stage Manager, Musical Director, Lighting Designer, Technical Director, and Actor. Outside of theatre, Mervyn’s career path has seen him through 33 years with Pos Malaysia, 3 years as General Manager/Technical Director of The Actors Studio, and is now, since 1999, the Orchestra Personnel Manager of the MPO.
Throughout his long and colourful musical career, Mervyn has been choirmaster of St. Francis Xavier Church; conductor of almost all Choral Concerts of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor from 1978 – 1990, and resident conductor with the KLSO from 1986 – 1991. Some of the 30 odd productions between 1975 and 1990 were Die Fledermaus, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Camelot, As You Like It, Play It Again, Sam, The Boyfriend, Hello, Dolly!, The Fantastiks, Oklahoma!, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, The Mikado; and the Harrison and Barham musical Stand and Deliver in May 1990. Thereafter he turned to the technical side, in particular lighting design, and worked mainly with The
Actors Studio till he joined the MPO.
However, he returned to the theatre scene in 2004 to light The Actors Studio’s re-staging of A Man for All Seasons and in 2006 as Chorus Master in Broken Bridges. Joseph Gonzales (Choreographer)
Joseph Gonzales is the Head of Dance at the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy), Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia and one of Malaysia’s leading dance educators and choreographers.
Joseph began his career as a dancer with KESUMA, St. Moritz Gold Band Dancers and Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre before leaving for Bush Davies School and London Studio Center in England. He played Simon of Legree in ‘The King And I’. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in choreography from the University of Middlesex, UK, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Malaya and Diplomas in Ballet, Modern Dance and Performing Arts from London, England. He taught at the Federal Academy of Ballet and choreographed extensively for The Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre before joining the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan in 1994 as one of its pioneer lecturers.
His choreography Sisters, TITIAN and AKAR, ‘All that glitters..’, Windows and Walls, Tajau and AWAS! has been presented at various festivals in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Japan, Belgium, Indonesia, Beijing, India, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. He choreographed the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Independent Film Festival in Brussels.
Joseph has presented papers on Malaysian dance at numerous conferences including the Philadelphia Dance Festival 2000 and WDA Singapore, International Dance Forum organized by the
Australia New Zealand Dance Research Society in Auckland in 2001, the Asia Europe Dance Forum in Singapore. For his international work, he has received grants from the Asian Cultural Council in New York, International Foundation for Arts and Culture in Australia, Asia Europe Foundation, Goethe Institute in Singapore, Asia 2000 Foundation in New Zealand and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Scholarships.
In Malaysia, he choreographed Laila Majnun and Tun Perak for the National Theatre, 9 to 5, WIRAMA, AWAS! and Putera, and the hit musical NUNSENSE for Gardner and Wife Productions. He has performed in and choreographed A tribute to Lari Leong, No Preference for World Aids Day, In Retrospect, Jailed for a Joke for Amnesty International, East West Kaleidoscope, Breaking Boundaries, When They Dance, An Extra Turn, Beneath the surface with Shakti Dances, The MyDance Festivals and innumerable other performances. He is the artistic director for the very successful international contemporary biannual dance festival TARI since 2000, choreography workshops and residencies Sanggar Koreografi and the award-winning local contemporary dance series JAMU. His work as traditional dance curator includes the highly acclaimed TAPESTRY, Jendela and Tradition, Transition series. He is the author of Malaysia’s first book on contemporary dance ‘Choreography – a Malaysian Perspective’ published in 2004, and serves as a consultant for the National Accreditation Board, The Ministry of Education, the website www.dancemalaysia.com that promotes Malaysian dance, and several other bodies. However, he is happiest teaching workshops and choreographing, exploring movement, and believes that art should speak to its audience, emphasizing themes pertinent to the realities of life in Malaysia, using traditional material and otherwise in his work. He campaigns zealously for a more professional environment for dance and placing Malaysia on the world map in dance. In 2006, he was selected to be a part of the Asia Pacific
Artist Exchange Program organized by the Center for Intercultural Performance, University of California Los Angeles.
Dominique Devorsine (Costume Designer)
Dominique Devorsine has designed costumes for an array of theatre productions which includes Dama Orchestra’s production of Butterfly Lovers (2006) and also M! The Opera! (2006). Most recently, she was the costumes coordinator for Broadway Parodies Lah! (2007) at The Actors Studio.
Dominique was awarded the Best Costume Design / Styling / Make-up for Five Letters from an Eastern Empire at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2004. She was also nominated for Best
Costume Design for Electronic City at the 2005 Awards.
Dominique Lonchant (Breathing Master)
His career in this field started 28 years ago. He did his training in South India, at the Ananda Ashram of Pondicherry and remained there for two and a half years as the protégé of Dr. Swami Gitananda. Whilst there, he discovered the immense power of proper breathing and as a Yoga Teacher, so he decided to concentrate his teaching on the Art of Breathing.
Dominique has traveled the five continents and thousands of his students have already achieved control of their breathing system. From 1994 till the present, some artistes from the international performing arts scene who benefited from his advice and techniques include Karen Mulder, Robert Redford, Jim Carey, Elisabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant, Charles Aznavour, Leslie Chung, John Lone, Nathalie Delon, Ursula Andress, Mireille Mathieux, Jean Paul Belmondo, Samy Nacery, Alber Elbaz, Sophie and Helene Rochas, Regine and Amanda Lear.
Since 2005, Dominique has based himself in South East Asia, principally in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok. Today, his Breathing Art is dedicated to actors and singers.
When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he spends most of his time working with Dato’ Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham on most of their productions.
Paul Loosley (Production Designer)
Paul was educated at the Southeast Surrey College of Art in the U.K. In 1978, Paul relocated to Malaysia where he worked with J. Walter Thompson, as Creative Director. In 1980, Paul won a Cannes Award for a Toyota Land Cruiser campaign. Paul also found time to help launch the Malaysian Advertising Awards, which remains one of the oldest creative award shows in Asia. Of the three years Paul was in Malaysia, JWT twice took the Grande Prix in the local creative awards.
From 1981 to 1988, he worked in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taiwan. In 1990, Paul returned to Malaysia and formed a production company called Axis Films, as an owning partner and Director. Since then, Paul has directed many prominent and award winning commercials, earning Clios for his work on the local petrol company Petronas and for Marlboro. Axis Films invariably swept the local TV production awards and has become one of the most pre-eminent production companies in Asia.
Paul also writes regular columns for local and regional advertising journals such as Adoi and Campaign Brief. He is also an avid theatre and opera lover. He was the designer for The Actors Studio’s production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” In 2002, he made his stage directorial debut with the French play Ubu Roi. He was nominated for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards for both attempts, winning the award for production design. In 2005, he directed Pygmalion at klpac.
Paul has also directed several award winning experimental films. In 2002, Paul directed a 25-minute short film commissioned by The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany a live performance by the orchestra.
Paul also lectures on film for various bodies including the National Art Gallery, the National Film Board and the Malaysian Video Awards festival. Paul has given lectures on some prominent directors including Orson Welles, John Ford, David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock and Akira Kurosawa. In 2004, Paul was appointed an Adjunct Professorship in Film and Television Arts at the Limkokwing University.
Paul is active on several industry committees including the Ministry of Energy’s Communications and MultiMedia Content Forum (CMCF), The Malaysian Content and MultiMedia Commission (MCMC) Complaints Bureau, Persatuan Penerbit Filem Iklan Malaysia (PPFIM) and the Joint Malaysian Advertisers Association/Malaysian Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies/PPFiM Working Group for Professional Standards.
BIODATA of Main Cast
Tony Eusoff as Syed
Tony is no stranger to theatre. He was recently involved in Bangsawan Naga Chini (Traditional Malay Theatre, Lead, Istana Budaya). Other stage appearances include Broken Bridges The Musical (2006) The Girl From Ipoh (Musical theatre, Feature, 2005), Electronic City (Play, Lead, 2005), Encore! (Concert, Lead, 2005) and Jalan Impian (Children’s Musical, Feature, 2005). He has also acted in a myriad of Malay telemovies such as Igauan Semalam (2006), Dendam (2006) and Dilema Wanita (2005) as well as English ones such as The Bequest (2005). He has also hosted programmes such as Living It! (2006), Misadventures of Tony & Alvin (2005). Tony also models and has appeared in numerous commercials. He was voted the Most Desirable Bachelor in Cleo's 50 Most Eligible Bachelor 2003.
Syuk Ibrahim as Ali
Syuk Ibrahim hails from Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan and holds a Bachelor of Music from UiTM majoring in Violin and Audio Enginering. He served as a member of the National Symphony Orchestra at Istana Budaya as a violinist and also was a member of the National Choir. In 1998, Syuk released a music album with the group “Dominant” under Polygram Records, where he was the lead vocalist. As a music lecturer, he taught at Yamaha Music School and is currently employed as a Cultural Officer and Lecturer at ASWARA. He is slowly venturing into theatre performing in Kesuma the Musical, and Bangsawan Raja Andak, Raja Laksamana. He has just completed a TV Drama series Mas Kahwin for ASTRO Prima.
Douglas Lim as Paul
Douglas started his theater "career" in 1995. The play was called Savages. It was directed by Joe Hasham (yes, he's been around THAT long) and staged at the Experimental Theater (Istana Budaya wasn't built yet). Douglas was in the chorus and given a dance solo for the Origin of Death segment in the play. He was very happy. From 1996 till 2005, Douglas didn't do ANY theater. Joe Hasham still continued to direct and Istana Budaya was eventually built. During this time, he was less happy. At the end of 2005, Douglas took on the role of Buttons in a Cinderella Christmas Panto. Those familiar with the original Cinderella story will know that there is no such character. However, being back in the theater, made him happy again. Last year, Douglas played the part of Ming in the musical Broken Bridges. It was his first main role so you can bet he's B***DY ecstatic!!! (BTW, the director is once again, Joe Hasham).
Zamil Idris as Malik
29 year old Zamil Idris went to Australia with the intention of pursuing a degree in accounting. He did, but also came back with the aspiration to entertain. While in Australia, Zamil had started taking singing lessons at the Jaanz School of Singing. Then he later got his first taste of success after winning RMIT University's Talent Quest in 2002 and then later performing in front of a crowd of 30,000 for RMIT University's Graduation Ceremony at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Zamil is most noted for being a Top 7 Finalist during the first season of Malaysian Idol in 2004. Zamil is currently the host for the TV show Hello On Two on RTM2 and is a singer/MC for events and weddings. And he also appears in TV commercials.
Maria Yasmin as Maria
A lady that can wrap her voice around a melody – hitting the high and low notes and everything in between as she caresses every phrase with real warmth and rapture. Hauntingly tender scent of beauty and sophistication, stylishly luring colors and textures of emotions, fragile and sweet yet rhythmically rich and powerful presence will mesmerize the audience, true to the name she possess……… ……MARIA YASMI. Yasmin’s dream was to become a great doctor like her father but her first ballet recital at the age of eight and the numerous interscholastic elocution and singing awards during her schooldays prompted her to fulfill her dream in the performing arts instead.
She took up Mass Com. at the University of Santo Tomas and later trained at the U.P. Conservatory of Music and Santa Isabel Conservatory of Music for voice, at Repertory Philippines for theatre and drama and also at Dance Theatre Philippines for jazz dance and ballet.
Although classically trained, she has always challenged herself to crossover to several musical genres. Music, she feels, should have no boundaries so her singing draws upon a world of influences: blues, gospel and R&B, soul, standard, fusion and acid jazz, classical, ethnic, African, Latin, Indian carnatic, Asian traditional favorites, contemporary pop, Broadway, ballads and yes, even rock. She was given the honor to interpret and perform original compositions of renowned international composers for the Jazz and World Music Series at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas with the Rhthym and Bronze Ensemble which won several Cameronian awards and also performed at the Asiabeat’s 25th International Artists Jazz Anniversary, Fete de la Musique, World Hockey Tournament in Europe to name a few.
Yasmin has appeared in a variety of stage plays and musicals in leading roles under the direction and guidance of notable theatre luminaries like Krishen Jit, Joe Hasham, Faridah Merican, Marion D’Cruz, Dr. Hatta Kahn, Othman Hafsham and others. Her extensive list of experiences in her very colorful career has taken her to many parts of the world performing on stage, television, radio and music festivals, high-profile national and corporate functions with local and international stars alongside with some of the best musicians in the business like Sunetra Fernando, Micheal Veerapen, Greg Lyons, Mac Chew, Lewis Pragasam,Aubrey Suwito, Saidah Rastam, Eugene Pao, Jack Lee and etc.
Quite adept in numerous activities, she is an accomplished recording artist, composer, voice talent in the advertising field and corporate establishments, voice teacher, choreographer, event coordinator and thespian. As she embraces many musical possibilities and artistic freedom, she has been acclaimed by critics , respectable musicians , producers and directors, peers and audiences alike as one of the most versatile, hard working, dedicated, powerful and multi-talented artist to be reckoned with in the industry and in the region. Her versatility and professionalism in expressing the art of music and theatre with technical proficiency and range is a tough act to follow indeed.
Doreen Tang as Fauzia
Doreen's first instruments were the piano and violin, but these days you'll find her serenading with Broadway hits, classical numbers, and many things 'vocal'. Blessed with perfect-pitch, she considers her style to be a "Classical-Pop" cross-over, moulded by years of singing in church, vocal training, and a deep interest in musical theatre.
When she took an interest in singing she helped form and coach an acappella choir in the US. Upon returning to Malaysia, she trained with well-known baritone Eddy Chin. During this time she won various competitions including, Songfest 2004 Classical Solo; The Wedding Singer 2004; and the Malaysian Sound of Music Competition for Malaysia’s ‘Maria’ in 2005.
Full-time in the industry now, Doreen entertains at weddings, company events, teaches vocals, performs onstage, and does animation voice-overs.
In 2006 she performed the lead female role in stage musical M! The Opera, was a guest artiste with Petronas Performing Arts Group, and sang jazzed-up Christmas carols with acappella group "The Falalas".
In 2007, besides the completely comical production Broadway Parodies Lah! in May at Actor’s Studio, you'll see her in Tunku premiering at klpac in the month of August. And if she's lucky, she'll have something else to wrap the year up! Evelyn Toh as Cik Tan Hailing from Kuala Terengganu, Evelyn Toh has had a flair for music, especially singing, from a very
tender age. By the age of 17, she has released 2 albums.
At 18, she participated in a talent time organized by the Malaysian Institute of Art and won a scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Vocal Training. She underwent vocal training by Mr. Shen Hua Xin, Miss Angela Chok, Miss Chan Siew Bee, Miss Cecilia Yap and Mr. Lim Sheih Yih. Currently she is tutored in piano by Miss Chua Shu Shen, Mr. Lian Xin Chuan and Mr. Chong Kok Ting. Evelyn graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), awarded by the University of Wales, UK.
Evelyn has won many awards in vocal competitions including the Chinese Vocalist Competition by the Chinese broadcasting corporation in Taiwan, the National Vocal Competition in Johor Bharu, and the Malaysia Singapore Vocal Competition in 2004.
Evelyn has also traveled all over Malaysia holding concerts and solo recitals especially on the east coast. In December 2005, she was awarded the Best of Chinese Folk Songs prize and came in 9th in the Grand Final for the Mondial Chinese Vocalist Concours Taipei 2005. She has also worked with Korean Lim Chun Kyun, Catherine Croall, Professor Rudlph Knoll, Professor Lee Xin Chang and Miss Ho Siew Tuan.
Evelyn is currently a lecturer at the Yamaha Academy and is the vocal principal in Julliad Music School of Performing Arts, Malaysia. She is also actively involved in performances locally and overseas.
This screening is part of WFH@klpac (Watch from Home) series. It's FREE but donations are welcomed via www.klpac.org/donations/.
Streaming Period: 31 August 2021 12.00pm – 12 September 2021 11.59pm
Click youtu.be/300ggFphkjI to Watch From Home @klpac: TUNKU The Musical (2007)
Due to overwhelming demand from the public, klpac’s streaming of “TUNKU The Musical” will be extended until the midnight of 12 September 2021 so that more can enjoy this historic musical from the comfort of their homes. It will also help usher in Malaysia Day celebrations as well which falls on 16 September.
Just a week after its online premiere on Malaysia’s 64th Independence Day, the archival recording from the 2007 staging has garnered almost 8,000 views from all over the world.
There was an outpouring of support from audiences and artistes alike. Some audiences commented how grateful they were as they missed the original staging while performers
reminisced the time when they could tread the boards.
"It's definitely worth watching...a feeling of hopefulness that things would change for the better and considering how turbulent the past 18 months has been, it felt very appropriate watching it now", shared Lim Sue Ann, Producer / Presenter of BFM89.9.
Even though venues around the country are still shut, hopefully this small effort about Malaysian history written by two Ipoh boys, created and performed for Malaysians will continue to bring joy, a sense of nostalgia and hope to the people of Malaysia as we look towards healing and rebuilding.
An original creation by director Joe Hasham OAM for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations 14 years ago, Executive Producer Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican felt it was appropriate to this production now as the future of Malaysia is playing in everyone’s minds and how we will emerge from this catastrophic year.
This musical brings you through a 50-year journey beginning from Merdeka Day through the Singapore-Malaya separation, the 1969 riots and to the year it was staged. It has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday morning 31st August, 1957, when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country. Today, it serves as a great reminder to Malaysians to stay hopeful, stay united and to use your voice to build a future that Malaysia deserves.
Written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, “TUNKU The Musical” was first presented in 2007 by Petra Foundation and co-sponsored by CELCOM and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage. Starring Tony Eusoff in lead, along with Maria Yasmin (who won the Best Solo Performance, Voice at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2007), Douglas Lim, Syuk Ibrahim, Evelyn Toh, Doreen Tang and Zamil Idris, with 46 talented ensemble and an 18-piece orchestra playing over 30 original compositions.
“TUNKU The Musical” is part of WFH@klpac (Watch from Home) series as it endures its third lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has cost it more than RM2 million in losses. Though the screening will be free, donations are welcomed via www.klpac.org/donations/.
SCREENING DETAILS
Title: TUNKU The Musical
Synopsis:
In conjunction with Malaysia’s Independence Day on 31 August 2021, klpac will be releasing an archival recording of “TUNKU The Musical” on YouTube free for the public from 12pm on 31 August 2021 until the midnight on 12 September 2021.
An original creation by director Joe Hasham OAM for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations, it seems apt to revisit this production now as the future of Malaysia is playing in everyone’s minds and how we will emerge from this catastrophic year.
“TUNKU The Musical”, written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan, brings you through a 50-year musical journey beginning from Merdeka Day through the Singapore-Malaya separation, the 1969 riots and to the year it was staged, 2007. The hit musical has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday
morning 31st August, 1957, when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country. Today, it serves as a great reminder to Malaysians to stay hopeful, stay united and to use your voice to build a future that Malaysia deserves.
Date & Time: 31 August 2021 12.00pm - 12 September 2021 11.59pm
Platform: klpac’s YouTube channel
Production Team: Director, Creative Concept, Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Writer / Composer: Lim Chuang Yik
Writer: Teng Ky-Gan
Musical Director, Conductor & Choral Master: Mervyn Peters
Choreographer: Joseph Gonzales
Costume Designer: Dominique Devorsine
Breathing Master: Dominique Lonchant
Production Designer: Paul Loosley
Main Cast:
Tony Eusoff as Syed, Syuk Ibrahim as Ali, Douglas Lim as Paul, Zamil Idris as Malik, Maria Yasmin as Maria, Doreen Tang as Fauzia, Evelyn Toh as Cik Tan.
Ensemble Members:
A. Aris A. Kadir, Abigail Barragry, Alicia Tahnee Daniel, Anas Firdaus bin Md Sharif, Azmir Abdullah, Carol Wu, Chang Fang Chyi, Choi Chin Yang, Choy Le Roy, Fariza bt. Zainul Ariffin, Glamorique, Gloria Patie, Hazra bt. Ghazaly, Ho Soon Yoon, Isma Hanum Husein, Ismadian Ismail, Jessica Ho, Joe Wong, Johann Lim, Joylynn The, Khairul Nizam bin Nazri, Lakshman Balakrishnan, Lee Wen Yan, Leo Selvaraj, Liu Yong Sean, Low Wai Keat, Mark Beau de Silva, Maybel Chan, Mohd Nur Faillul bin Adam, Nicholas de Warren-Chinn, Nicholas Pang, Nicole Fuchs, Norbaizura bt. Abdul Ghani, Norsafini bt. Jafar, Nur Arina Hamzah, Pat Chan, Payal Vashist, Sean Yap, Shariffah Mariam bt. Syed Abdullah, Sharlene Rani a/p Kumaravellu, Sufinah bt. Abu Bakar, Tabitha Kong, Valerie Low, W. Nurul Ameera bt. W. Mazlan, Yugeetha Ramasamy, Zachary Nong Ke Lud, Zamzuriah bt. Zahari Donation: www.klpac.org/donations/
Website: www.klpac.org/
BIODATA of Creative & Production Team
Joe Hasham OAM (Director, Creative Concept, Artistic Director)
Joe was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, did his schooling in Sydney, Australia, moved to Malaysia in 1984 and is now a proud permanent resident of his adopted country. Joe is Artistic Director of The Actors Studio, which he set up with his wife Faridah in 1989 and also Artistic Director of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Joe is a graduate of NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the University of NSW, Sydney, Australia. Before he made the decision to come to Malaysia, he was one of the most sought after actors in Australia. Joe is a multi award winning film director, actor, writer and recording artist.
Joe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), within the Australian Honours System "For Service to the performing arts through The Actors Studio (Malaysia) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; and, as an actor, writer, producer and director". Joe is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Artistic Director of TUTAS, Malaysia's first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University.
Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican (Executive Producer)
Known as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Faridah’s early acting credits include such plays as ‘Lela Mayang’, ‘Tok Perak’, ‘Uda dan Dara’ and ‘Alang Rentak Seribu’, works that defined the Malaysian theatre in the 60s and 70s, and determined the direction that theatre would take in the next few decades.
In the early 60s, she joined Radio and TV Malaysia. Simultaneously, she was involved in the formative years of Malaysian Advertising, and is today, a member of the board of directors of Ogilvy & Mather. She also sits on the board of several other institutions.
In 1989, Faridah co-founded The Actors Studio with her husband Joe Hasham OAM. In June of 2003, floods destroyed the entire complex of The Actors Studio in Plaza Putra, Dataran Merdeka. Out of that devastation, Faridah’s ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude generated yet another ground-breaking event – the birth of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre, set up by the YTL Group, Yayasan Budi Penyayang and The Actors Studio.
Over the years, Faridah has been awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara in 1973, the Darjah Johan Negeri in 2001, the Johan Setia Mahkota in 2004, the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2005,Faridah was conferred the ‘Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar by the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the occasion of His Highness’ 83rd Birthday. The following year, she received an Honorary Master of Letters at University Sains Malaysia’s 35th Convocation. Finally in 2014, Faridah received the Outstanding Achievement award under the Arts, Culture and Entertainment category from the Inaugural Malaysian Women of Excellence Awards. Faridah now sits on The Laureate Advisory Board and is also the Executive Producer and co-founder of the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac).
She was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts by Taylor’s University in 2018. Faridah is currently the Adjunct Professor & Programme Development Director of TUTAS, Malaysia's first performing arts conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University. Lim Chuang Yik (Writer / Composer)
Chuang Yik was born in the town of good food, Ipoh, 28 years ago. Having spent his formative years in the premier ACS Ipoh, he went on to pursue higher education in the town of equally good food, Penang. He now has to settle for Kuala Lumpur, the city of expensive, though not necessarily good, food.
Chuang Yik’s first professional musical composition was Broken Bridges, which took one year to complete, but spent four years in gestation. Tunku is Chuang Yik’s second professional collaboration with long-time friend, Teng Ky-Gan.
Chuang Yik has yet to receive any formal music training.
A registered pharmacist by profession, Chuang Yik works for a multinational pharmaceutical company.
Teng Ky-Gan (Writer)
Teng Ky-Gan’s last musical was Broken Bridges; written together with composer Lim Chuang Yik at a time when he thought Ipoh was the centre of the universe. Ky-Gan lives and breathes opera, and thinks he can sing opera as well, if only he can do the vibrato without faking it.
His first role as a prince in the King and I at the age of 11 spurred a theatrical frenzy, until he was 20 when he realized that writing is more for him, as it doesn’t involve expanding the size of his tiny eyes with eyeliners. Writing makes him happy and free- as a shot of good whiskey would. He hopes to write enough plays one day to have his name on the board next to Pentas 1 at klpac.
Tunku is his second collaboration with Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican. The libretto is the most difficult piece he has ever written to date, and hopes people will notice the clever alliterations and rhymes.
He works in a different pharmaceutical company as Chuang Yik.
Mervyn Peters (Musical Director, Conductor & Choral Master)
Mervyn’s involvement and experience in musical theatre is as varied as it is extensive. His broad range of talent has seen him take on the role of Producer, Director, Conductor, Chorus Master, Stage Manager, Musical Director, Lighting Designer, Technical Director, and Actor. Outside of theatre, Mervyn’s career path has seen him through 33 years with Pos Malaysia, 3 years as General Manager/Technical Director of The Actors Studio, and is now, since 1999, the Orchestra Personnel Manager of the MPO.
Throughout his long and colourful musical career, Mervyn has been choirmaster of St. Francis Xavier Church; conductor of almost all Choral Concerts of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor from 1978 – 1990, and resident conductor with the KLSO from 1986 – 1991. Some of the 30 odd productions between 1975 and 1990 were Die Fledermaus, The Barretts of Wimpole Street, Camelot, As You Like It, Play It Again, Sam, The Boyfriend, Hello, Dolly!, The Fantastiks, Oklahoma!, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Guys and Dolls, The Mikado; and the Harrison and Barham musical Stand and Deliver in May 1990. Thereafter he turned to the technical side, in particular lighting design, and worked mainly with The
Actors Studio till he joined the MPO.
However, he returned to the theatre scene in 2004 to light The Actors Studio’s re-staging of A Man for All Seasons and in 2006 as Chorus Master in Broken Bridges. Joseph Gonzales (Choreographer)
Joseph Gonzales is the Head of Dance at the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (National Arts Academy), Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Malaysia and one of Malaysia’s leading dance educators and choreographers.
Joseph began his career as a dancer with KESUMA, St. Moritz Gold Band Dancers and Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre before leaving for Bush Davies School and London Studio Center in England. He played Simon of Legree in ‘The King And I’. He holds a Masters of Arts degree in choreography from the University of Middlesex, UK, Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Malaya and Diplomas in Ballet, Modern Dance and Performing Arts from London, England. He taught at the Federal Academy of Ballet and choreographed extensively for The Kuala Lumpur Dance Theatre before joining the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan in 1994 as one of its pioneer lecturers.
His choreography Sisters, TITIAN and AKAR, ‘All that glitters..’, Windows and Walls, Tajau and AWAS! has been presented at various festivals in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Japan, Belgium, Indonesia, Beijing, India, Korea, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia. He choreographed the Opening Ceremony of the 19th Independent Film Festival in Brussels.
Joseph has presented papers on Malaysian dance at numerous conferences including the Philadelphia Dance Festival 2000 and WDA Singapore, International Dance Forum organized by the
Australia New Zealand Dance Research Society in Auckland in 2001, the Asia Europe Dance Forum in Singapore. For his international work, he has received grants from the Asian Cultural Council in New York, International Foundation for Arts and Culture in Australia, Asia Europe Foundation, Goethe Institute in Singapore, Asia 2000 Foundation in New Zealand and the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Heritage Scholarships.
In Malaysia, he choreographed Laila Majnun and Tun Perak for the National Theatre, 9 to 5, WIRAMA, AWAS! and Putera, and the hit musical NUNSENSE for Gardner and Wife Productions. He has performed in and choreographed A tribute to Lari Leong, No Preference for World Aids Day, In Retrospect, Jailed for a Joke for Amnesty International, East West Kaleidoscope, Breaking Boundaries, When They Dance, An Extra Turn, Beneath the surface with Shakti Dances, The MyDance Festivals and innumerable other performances. He is the artistic director for the very successful international contemporary biannual dance festival TARI since 2000, choreography workshops and residencies Sanggar Koreografi and the award-winning local contemporary dance series JAMU. His work as traditional dance curator includes the highly acclaimed TAPESTRY, Jendela and Tradition, Transition series. He is the author of Malaysia’s first book on contemporary dance ‘Choreography – a Malaysian Perspective’ published in 2004, and serves as a consultant for the National Accreditation Board, The Ministry of Education, the website www.dancemalaysia.com that promotes Malaysian dance, and several other bodies. However, he is happiest teaching workshops and choreographing, exploring movement, and believes that art should speak to its audience, emphasizing themes pertinent to the realities of life in Malaysia, using traditional material and otherwise in his work. He campaigns zealously for a more professional environment for dance and placing Malaysia on the world map in dance. In 2006, he was selected to be a part of the Asia Pacific
Artist Exchange Program organized by the Center for Intercultural Performance, University of California Los Angeles.
Dominique Devorsine (Costume Designer)
Dominique Devorsine has designed costumes for an array of theatre productions which includes Dama Orchestra’s production of Butterfly Lovers (2006) and also M! The Opera! (2006). Most recently, she was the costumes coordinator for Broadway Parodies Lah! (2007) at The Actors Studio.
Dominique was awarded the Best Costume Design / Styling / Make-up for Five Letters from an Eastern Empire at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2004. She was also nominated for Best
Costume Design for Electronic City at the 2005 Awards.
Dominique Lonchant (Breathing Master)
His career in this field started 28 years ago. He did his training in South India, at the Ananda Ashram of Pondicherry and remained there for two and a half years as the protégé of Dr. Swami Gitananda. Whilst there, he discovered the immense power of proper breathing and as a Yoga Teacher, so he decided to concentrate his teaching on the Art of Breathing.
Dominique has traveled the five continents and thousands of his students have already achieved control of their breathing system. From 1994 till the present, some artistes from the international performing arts scene who benefited from his advice and techniques include Karen Mulder, Robert Redford, Jim Carey, Elisabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant, Charles Aznavour, Leslie Chung, John Lone, Nathalie Delon, Ursula Andress, Mireille Mathieux, Jean Paul Belmondo, Samy Nacery, Alber Elbaz, Sophie and Helene Rochas, Regine and Amanda Lear.
Since 2005, Dominique has based himself in South East Asia, principally in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok. Today, his Breathing Art is dedicated to actors and singers.
When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he spends most of his time working with Dato’ Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham on most of their productions.
Paul Loosley (Production Designer)
Paul was educated at the Southeast Surrey College of Art in the U.K. In 1978, Paul relocated to Malaysia where he worked with J. Walter Thompson, as Creative Director. In 1980, Paul won a Cannes Award for a Toyota Land Cruiser campaign. Paul also found time to help launch the Malaysian Advertising Awards, which remains one of the oldest creative award shows in Asia. Of the three years Paul was in Malaysia, JWT twice took the Grande Prix in the local creative awards.
From 1981 to 1988, he worked in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Taiwan. In 1990, Paul returned to Malaysia and formed a production company called Axis Films, as an owning partner and Director. Since then, Paul has directed many prominent and award winning commercials, earning Clios for his work on the local petrol company Petronas and for Marlboro. Axis Films invariably swept the local TV production awards and has become one of the most pre-eminent production companies in Asia.
Paul also writes regular columns for local and regional advertising journals such as Adoi and Campaign Brief. He is also an avid theatre and opera lover. He was the designer for The Actors Studio’s production of Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” In 2002, he made his stage directorial debut with the French play Ubu Roi. He was nominated for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards for both attempts, winning the award for production design. In 2005, he directed Pygmalion at klpac.
Paul has also directed several award winning experimental films. In 2002, Paul directed a 25-minute short film commissioned by The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra to accompany a live performance by the orchestra.
Paul also lectures on film for various bodies including the National Art Gallery, the National Film Board and the Malaysian Video Awards festival. Paul has given lectures on some prominent directors including Orson Welles, John Ford, David Lean, Alfred Hitchcock and Akira Kurosawa. In 2004, Paul was appointed an Adjunct Professorship in Film and Television Arts at the Limkokwing University.
Paul is active on several industry committees including the Ministry of Energy’s Communications and MultiMedia Content Forum (CMCF), The Malaysian Content and MultiMedia Commission (MCMC) Complaints Bureau, Persatuan Penerbit Filem Iklan Malaysia (PPFIM) and the Joint Malaysian Advertisers Association/Malaysian Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies/PPFiM Working Group for Professional Standards.
BIODATA of Main Cast
Tony Eusoff as Syed
Tony is no stranger to theatre. He was recently involved in Bangsawan Naga Chini (Traditional Malay Theatre, Lead, Istana Budaya). Other stage appearances include Broken Bridges The Musical (2006) The Girl From Ipoh (Musical theatre, Feature, 2005), Electronic City (Play, Lead, 2005), Encore! (Concert, Lead, 2005) and Jalan Impian (Children’s Musical, Feature, 2005). He has also acted in a myriad of Malay telemovies such as Igauan Semalam (2006), Dendam (2006) and Dilema Wanita (2005) as well as English ones such as The Bequest (2005). He has also hosted programmes such as Living It! (2006), Misadventures of Tony & Alvin (2005). Tony also models and has appeared in numerous commercials. He was voted the Most Desirable Bachelor in Cleo's 50 Most Eligible Bachelor 2003.
Syuk Ibrahim as Ali
Syuk Ibrahim hails from Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan and holds a Bachelor of Music from UiTM majoring in Violin and Audio Enginering. He served as a member of the National Symphony Orchestra at Istana Budaya as a violinist and also was a member of the National Choir. In 1998, Syuk released a music album with the group “Dominant” under Polygram Records, where he was the lead vocalist. As a music lecturer, he taught at Yamaha Music School and is currently employed as a Cultural Officer and Lecturer at ASWARA. He is slowly venturing into theatre performing in Kesuma the Musical, and Bangsawan Raja Andak, Raja Laksamana. He has just completed a TV Drama series Mas Kahwin for ASTRO Prima.
Douglas Lim as Paul
Douglas started his theater "career" in 1995. The play was called Savages. It was directed by Joe Hasham (yes, he's been around THAT long) and staged at the Experimental Theater (Istana Budaya wasn't built yet). Douglas was in the chorus and given a dance solo for the Origin of Death segment in the play. He was very happy. From 1996 till 2005, Douglas didn't do ANY theater. Joe Hasham still continued to direct and Istana Budaya was eventually built. During this time, he was less happy. At the end of 2005, Douglas took on the role of Buttons in a Cinderella Christmas Panto. Those familiar with the original Cinderella story will know that there is no such character. However, being back in the theater, made him happy again. Last year, Douglas played the part of Ming in the musical Broken Bridges. It was his first main role so you can bet he's B***DY ecstatic!!! (BTW, the director is once again, Joe Hasham).
Zamil Idris as Malik
29 year old Zamil Idris went to Australia with the intention of pursuing a degree in accounting. He did, but also came back with the aspiration to entertain. While in Australia, Zamil had started taking singing lessons at the Jaanz School of Singing. Then he later got his first taste of success after winning RMIT University's Talent Quest in 2002 and then later performing in front of a crowd of 30,000 for RMIT University's Graduation Ceremony at Melbourne's Telstra Dome. Zamil is most noted for being a Top 7 Finalist during the first season of Malaysian Idol in 2004. Zamil is currently the host for the TV show Hello On Two on RTM2 and is a singer/MC for events and weddings. And he also appears in TV commercials.
Maria Yasmin as Maria
A lady that can wrap her voice around a melody – hitting the high and low notes and everything in between as she caresses every phrase with real warmth and rapture. Hauntingly tender scent of beauty and sophistication, stylishly luring colors and textures of emotions, fragile and sweet yet rhythmically rich and powerful presence will mesmerize the audience, true to the name she possess……… ……MARIA YASMI. Yasmin’s dream was to become a great doctor like her father but her first ballet recital at the age of eight and the numerous interscholastic elocution and singing awards during her schooldays prompted her to fulfill her dream in the performing arts instead.
She took up Mass Com. at the University of Santo Tomas and later trained at the U.P. Conservatory of Music and Santa Isabel Conservatory of Music for voice, at Repertory Philippines for theatre and drama and also at Dance Theatre Philippines for jazz dance and ballet.
Although classically trained, she has always challenged herself to crossover to several musical genres. Music, she feels, should have no boundaries so her singing draws upon a world of influences: blues, gospel and R&B, soul, standard, fusion and acid jazz, classical, ethnic, African, Latin, Indian carnatic, Asian traditional favorites, contemporary pop, Broadway, ballads and yes, even rock. She was given the honor to interpret and perform original compositions of renowned international composers for the Jazz and World Music Series at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas with the Rhthym and Bronze Ensemble which won several Cameronian awards and also performed at the Asiabeat’s 25th International Artists Jazz Anniversary, Fete de la Musique, World Hockey Tournament in Europe to name a few.
Yasmin has appeared in a variety of stage plays and musicals in leading roles under the direction and guidance of notable theatre luminaries like Krishen Jit, Joe Hasham, Faridah Merican, Marion D’Cruz, Dr. Hatta Kahn, Othman Hafsham and others. Her extensive list of experiences in her very colorful career has taken her to many parts of the world performing on stage, television, radio and music festivals, high-profile national and corporate functions with local and international stars alongside with some of the best musicians in the business like Sunetra Fernando, Micheal Veerapen, Greg Lyons, Mac Chew, Lewis Pragasam,Aubrey Suwito, Saidah Rastam, Eugene Pao, Jack Lee and etc.
Quite adept in numerous activities, she is an accomplished recording artist, composer, voice talent in the advertising field and corporate establishments, voice teacher, choreographer, event coordinator and thespian. As she embraces many musical possibilities and artistic freedom, she has been acclaimed by critics , respectable musicians , producers and directors, peers and audiences alike as one of the most versatile, hard working, dedicated, powerful and multi-talented artist to be reckoned with in the industry and in the region. Her versatility and professionalism in expressing the art of music and theatre with technical proficiency and range is a tough act to follow indeed.
Doreen Tang as Fauzia
Doreen's first instruments were the piano and violin, but these days you'll find her serenading with Broadway hits, classical numbers, and many things 'vocal'. Blessed with perfect-pitch, she considers her style to be a "Classical-Pop" cross-over, moulded by years of singing in church, vocal training, and a deep interest in musical theatre.
When she took an interest in singing she helped form and coach an acappella choir in the US. Upon returning to Malaysia, she trained with well-known baritone Eddy Chin. During this time she won various competitions including, Songfest 2004 Classical Solo; The Wedding Singer 2004; and the Malaysian Sound of Music Competition for Malaysia’s ‘Maria’ in 2005.
Full-time in the industry now, Doreen entertains at weddings, company events, teaches vocals, performs onstage, and does animation voice-overs.
In 2006 she performed the lead female role in stage musical M! The Opera, was a guest artiste with Petronas Performing Arts Group, and sang jazzed-up Christmas carols with acappella group "The Falalas".
In 2007, besides the completely comical production Broadway Parodies Lah! in May at Actor’s Studio, you'll see her in Tunku premiering at klpac in the month of August. And if she's lucky, she'll have something else to wrap the year up! Evelyn Toh as Cik Tan Hailing from Kuala Terengganu, Evelyn Toh has had a flair for music, especially singing, from a very
tender age. By the age of 17, she has released 2 albums.
At 18, she participated in a talent time organized by the Malaysian Institute of Art and won a scholarship to pursue a Diploma in Vocal Training. She underwent vocal training by Mr. Shen Hua Xin, Miss Angela Chok, Miss Chan Siew Bee, Miss Cecilia Yap and Mr. Lim Sheih Yih. Currently she is tutored in piano by Miss Chua Shu Shen, Mr. Lian Xin Chuan and Mr. Chong Kok Ting. Evelyn graduated with a BA (Hons) in Music from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), awarded by the University of Wales, UK.
Evelyn has won many awards in vocal competitions including the Chinese Vocalist Competition by the Chinese broadcasting corporation in Taiwan, the National Vocal Competition in Johor Bharu, and the Malaysia Singapore Vocal Competition in 2004.
Evelyn has also traveled all over Malaysia holding concerts and solo recitals especially on the east coast. In December 2005, she was awarded the Best of Chinese Folk Songs prize and came in 9th in the Grand Final for the Mondial Chinese Vocalist Concours Taipei 2005. She has also worked with Korean Lim Chun Kyun, Catherine Croall, Professor Rudlph Knoll, Professor Lee Xin Chang and Miss Ho Siew Tuan.
Evelyn is currently a lecturer at the Yamaha Academy and is the vocal principal in Julliad Music School of Performing Arts, Malaysia. She is also actively involved in performances locally and overseas.
This screening is part of WFH@klpac (Watch from Home) series. It's FREE but donations are welcomed via www.klpac.org/donations/.
Streaming Period: 31 August 2021 12.00pm – 12 September 2021 11.59pm
Click youtu.be/300ggFphkjI to Watch From Home @klpac: TUNKU The Musical (2007)