A daring & sensitive stage play of 50th Year of Merdeka


An UntoldCityLife.com’s Art Appreciation Review by Xiao Loong Zi

In conjunction of Malaysia’s 50th Year of Merdeka, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre performed ‘Tunku, the musical’ which was supported by Kementrian Kebudayaan, Kesenian and Warisan Malaysia.

Tunku, the musical poster

‘Tunku, the musical’ is in fact the most daring and sensitive stage play with full of political & historical propaganda reflecting 50th Year of Merdeka. It reminds us our forefather’s (Tunku) legacy in forming the nation and most importantly his fairness and equality for this country. The stage play also shows how radical politicians in the country destroying Tunku’s legacy in creating a fairness and equal society. Fictional characters are used, thus I think no body can really react negatively to the stage play but rather choose to be absent from watching the stage play.

Tunku, the musical casts

Audiences are not allowed to capture any photo and video during the stage play. So you must be wondering why ‘Tunku, the musical’ is the most daring and sensitive stage play? I am proudly to summarize it here:

  • The casts sang ‘God Saves the Queen’ and then switched to ‘Negaraku’, symbolizing independence of the country.
  • There was a Laksa scene in which a Chinese and a Malay hawker argued about who created Laksa first? Was it Chinese or was it Malays?

(FYI, in actual life, Tunku prefers the Chinese Laksa)

  • There was a fictional character called Syed, an openly racist and anti-Chinese radical politician concerned only Malay to control of the country. Yet he had a Chinese mistress that he denied to the public.
  • Then, there was the separation of Singapore from the country.
  • The Malay politician’s son fallen in love with a Chinese girl raised by the Malay hawker which the politician separated the son and this girl.
  • There was then election held in 1969 with ‘Rocket’ posters and ‘Pirate Ship’ posters raised high up by two parties. The ‘Rocket’ party won the election and then there was May 13 riots due to this election.
  • The May 13 riots came with a group of Malay rioters who play Silat. The Chinese girl was raped and killed by the Malay rioters while the Malay boy killed by the Chinese rioters.
  • The news reported that the situation was under control and only few people killed in the riots. Of course, words are twisted by the government.
  • The ending was a good ending with all Malaysians singing together in a harmony manner. It shows 50th Year of Merdeka and reflecting today’s harmony society.

*The above play was performed on 13, September 2007 coincidenly the main cast Tony Yusof was hospitalized for emergency operation on the same day due to acute appendicitis. Therefore, the story line of the show is slightly different from any other days.

According to the original play, the ending is Tunku’s legacy of ‘color blind’. It actually shows the hope of Tunku to treat all people fairly and equally without color.

Info about Tunku, the Musical

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan (off Jalan Ipoh)
Kuala Lumpur

URL :
http://www.klpac.com

 




Add to any service

Popularity: 36% [?]