Download Malaysianising a classic fairy tale

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Malaysianising a classic fairy tale
Kuala Lumpur, November 24th 2011 – Bringing the Malaysian spirit into a western fairy tale is essentially
what Si Putih & the 7 Makciks is about. The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat proudly presents a pantomime
by Sham Sunder Binwani, showing at The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 from the 14th to 23rd of December.
Toying with the base story of Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, Sham Sunder Binwani initially planned
for an all-male cast but decided to add female energy to balance it all out. One of the female characters
serves the role of the storyteller, played by Qyvonia Flora Krystal Chong and the other is one of the
makciks. Staying true to the art of pantomime (informally known as panto), Sham gets cheeky with
gender-swapping; he says “I have always believed that pantomimes are fun and it gives the liberty to do
more crazy things than conventional theatre performances.”
A truly temerarious performer, Sham does not settle for only one role; he writes the play, he directs it
and he carries the title role, Si Putih. With love interest Putera Hang, played by Karanbir Hundal, the
audience will surely be in laughing fits.
The show features the most hilariously stylish and glamorous six male and one female, Makciks. Sirfan S.
Sulaimi plays Mak Bossy, Fendi Edip Chuan plays Mak Giggles, Steve Kyle D’angelo as Mak Dull, former
T4YP ensemble Nick Dorian as Mak Snoozy, Kenny Yap plays Mak Misery, Iman Sobhan plays Mak Style
and lastly, the female Makcik, Ng Ee Mun aka Munnie plays Mak Shy.
A fairy tale is not complete without the ominous evil Queen. Sham has managed to unearth a wonderful
Queen from first time actor and seasoned Taekwondo Master and educator, Michael Liew.
Sham quips, “…the cast I have for Si Putih and the 7 makciks is truly fun and exciting to work with. […] So
far there has not been any major challenge. The biggest one is to stop them from bursting into laughter
when we are reading the script or doing the scenes in the play. Everyone is a real trooper.”
Colloquially, a "fairy tale" can mean a far-fetched story, with Si Putih & the 7 Makciks the tall tale has
been brought down to Malaysian lands and the folkloric characters flexed to our culture.
-ENDSIssued by
Media Inquiries
The Actors Studio
Malik Taufiq @ +6016-2229063 | [email protected]
Thava @ +6012-3482504 | [email protected]
The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat presents
Si Putih & the 7 Makciks
DATE & TIME
: 14th (Preview Night) – 23rd December @ 8pm
17th & 18th December @ 3pm
VENUE
: The Actors Studio @ Lot 10
TICKET PRICE
: RM50 & RM 40 (All night shows and normal matinee show)
RM30 (Preview Night, Saturday Matinee, December 21st & 22nd)
RM 120 Family Package of 4 (All except concession rate days)
BOX OFFICE
Call or Walk-in
: klpac @ Sentul Park (+603-40479000)
: The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 (+603-21422009 / 21432009)
Walk-in : ILasso Tickets @ A606, Block A, Phileo Damansara II. (+603-79576088 for enquiries)
SYNOPSIS:
It an exciting time of this year for another pantomime!
Si Putih & the 7 Makciks is a fairy tale (adaptation of Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs) set in two kampong
kingdoms where an envious Queen plans to kill her beautiful and fair step daughter, Si Putih. Does
Sergeant Sutera, the queen’s henchmen kill Si Putih or is she saved by the 7 Makciks, keepers of secrets
from another kampong? Only time will tell. Si Putih & the 7 Makciks is a funny original adaptation of the
all-time favourite classic with singing and dancing with a twist at the end; as all fairy tales have.
About The Actors Studio
The Actors Studio was set up in April of 1989 by husband and wife team Joe Hasham OAM and Dato’
Faridah Merican with the following objectives – to stage meaningful theatre, to nurture the performing
arts and to provide training to all those interested to learn. It is one of the foremost theatre companies
in the country and its experience in the arts is unparalleled.
About The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat
In conjunction with The Actors Studio's 22nd anniversary, we are continuing our pledge to bring Theatre
closer to the people. Together with the Ministry of Arts and Culture (JKKN) we are trying to break the
barriers between the arts and the people coherent with developing the tag line “Merakyatkan seni”. We
are working towards Dato' Norliza's vision for the art groups in Malaysia.
In 2006, with the support of The Ministry of Arts and Culture, TAS Teater Rakyat presented Alfian Saat's
“Kampung Wak Hassan” with Gene Syahsuddin, Tomoe and a technical team in place. They visited 5
villages throughout Peninsula Malaysia. TAS Teater Rakyat also brought to you “Kisah Gadis” directed by
Megat Sharizal in October of 2008 and Mak Yong Titis Sakti in June of 2009 at the Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre also with the support of JKKN. The reception towards the performances has
indeed been something to be proud of. It is amongst the endeavours taken by the theatre pioneers here
to bring Malaysian Theatre to everyone in the country.
For more information, visit www.theactorsstudio.com.my
SHAM SUNDER BINWANI
Writer/Director/Actor
Since 1990, Sham has been very active in the entertainment industry.
As a versatile performer, Sham Sunder Binwani has acted in local sit-com, English and Bahasa Malaysia
television dramas, international films in Indonesia, India & Hong Kong. Sham also acted in several
Malaysian movies including “The Red Kebaya” and not forgetting a series of international
advertisements. No matter what Sham Sunder Binwani does for TV, Film or the Stage, it has always been
challenging and interesting. In 2010, Sham was involved in 2 stage production : “Mamak Mee Ah! The
musical spoof” & “The Taming of the Shrew – A Bollywood Cabaret”.
After acting in so many productions, Sham finally took the reins, co-wrote, acted and directed in the
Actor Studio Theatre Rakyat comedy production of “The Ruler” in 2010. And now in 2011, Sham has
been active in teaching children Speech and Drama too.
Sham is also the official mascot for “Mr. Potato” crispy chips. Also did a commercial for the Sepang F1
Circuit and TM.
Sham Sunder Binwani spends most of his time listening to classical music, writing scripts, acting and
directing whenever he can.
PAUL WONG
Choreographer
Paul Wong is the eldest among three brothers and an absolutely passionate dancer whose heart belongs
to his family, dance and the stage. He debuted in the comedic-and-energetic Kaki Blue in 2009 and the
stomach-tickling Mamak Mee-ah in 2010 and was recently part of the ensemble in the colourful
pantomime, The Ruler which ignited a burning desire to plant his feet in the performing world and
discovered that his "true home" is the stage. Other than that, he was also one of the ensemble in the
lengedary musical Cabaret by Pan Production as well as Farah Sulaiman's Sparks of Broadway Penang
tour. He is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at HELP University College hoping to major in
dancetherapy/dramatherapy in the future in the hopes of bringing the amazing and fabulous world
of theater and all its wonder to world.
SITI NUR AISYAH BINTI MOHD YUNUS
Vocal Instructor
Known As Teacher Aisyah@Aisyah is an Vocal Technique Coach. She was born and raised by parents who
love to sing and from there her interest in singing began. At age 7 she started to sing infront of people
and teachers and after she graduated from high school she continued study in Music her first certificate
in music which is from Purwa Caraka,Jakarta she took higher certificate in Vocal(classical)and further her
study in Akademi Seni Budaya Dan Warisan Kebangsaan Also Major in Classical Vocal. And she is a mezzo
soprano and her idol in classical is Cecillia Bartoli. She's really passionate and happy for her career now
and excited for this musicals ''si putih and the 7 makciks'' and hoping the best of the best for this
musicals. May Music Keep Us Together.
SHAHILA JOHAN
Stage Manager
Shahila Johan's been performing (mainly singing) for 9 years now. after attended ASK (now known as
ASWARA) majoring in classical voice, she jumped to choral singing with the Young KL Singers and singing
Broadway Showtunes 'Broadway Parodies Lagi Lah!" "DanSing thru Broadway" " Prom the Musical"
"Dreamgirls: A musical Sensation". Currently working as a voice over talent at Double Vision and a vocal
coach in Broadway Academy. this year has been a different year for her because this year she tries her
hand on everything out of her league such as hosting a tv show "Da Jia Che", Directing "the Beginning",
acting "Echo" "Pilgrims of wasteland", Asst. choreographer "Gagaland", singing nad dancing in "SPLASH!
Malaysian showchoir" which will be performing in New York in March 2012 and now a Stage
Manager/Production Manager for "Si Putih & the 7 Makciks"! Everyone have been a great help to get
her where she is today and she would love to give everyone a BIG HUG!!!!
MICHAEL LIEW as Queen
Michael is a Taekwondo Master and educator since 1974. He is truly passionate about Taekwondo and
he enjoys sharing it with others. Performing arts is a new area for him to grow in and conquer. He
thanks Sham Sunder Binwani for the opportunity and guidance.
QYVONIA FLORA KRYSTAL CHONG as Kadam
Hello! Qyvonia will be talking as a third person here, so here goes. This is the first "proper" play Qyvonia
has been in. She has appeared in a few local commercial and extras in local dramas. She studied Law at a
local college but now like most people didn't work at the field they studied, she is an Assistant Corporate
Communication Manager. And during her free time you can find her reading whatever she can or doing
some crafty stuff.
Qyvonia would like to thank each and every one of you for coming to see this show. Please form a line
outside our dressing room after final curtain ;)
Karanbir Hundal as Putera Hang
Karanbir Hundal is hopelessly in love with movies, music, and theatre. Growing up as a young kid, he
always wanted to be an FBI agent (like Agent Fox Mulder from The X-Files, he says). Fortunately, that did
not happen. So here he is now, attempting to act. He indulges in psychological thrillers, listens to Andrea
Bocelli, Itzhak Perlman and A.R. Rahman, and plays the piano to anyone who would listen.
Still fresh from his first ever theatre role in KLPAC’s A Darker Shade of Red and A Taste of Love (S+S
Musical 2011), he was most recently in Thank God We’re Italians! (S+S Theatre 2011) as a debutant
director.
This is his first musical pantomime and he still thinks it impossible to sing, dance and act, all at once. His
dream is to host the Oscars. Until then, he hopes you will love the performances in Si Putih & the 7
Makciks and deeply appreciates your continued support towards our local performing arts scene.
SIRFAN S. SULAIMI as Mak Bossy
A Singapore actor/entertainer for over 15 years, he is now in KL to learn more about the performing arts
here.
Trained in music, vocal and children's theatre, Sirfan started as a performing artiste: song-writer and
performer with vocal groups and a latin band. He acted in many school/road shows, corporate skits,
musicals, TV/short films and did puppetry, mascots, mime and physical theatre.
Sirfan had directed and conducted many drama-related workshops. He recently obtained 2 Silvers in the
2011 Singapore Youth Festival (Drama).
Being in KL makes him learn more and he hopes to do more productions to come.
FENDI EDIP CHUAN as Mak Giggles
Fendi is a Sabahan born with a colourful family background and the youngest in the family. Dad belongs
to a small Sabahan tribe called the "Sungei" and mum is a Sino-Kadazan heritage. Animal rights activist.
He is a permanent slave to his cats & some dogs.
He is an IT graduated and currently working with an NGO that uphold the rights of persons with learning
disabilities (PWLD). Also teaches basic computer & swimming classes for PWLDs.
Steve Kyle D’angelo as Mak Dull
Steve started his career in radio at the age of 19 and currently has 11 years of experience in both
government and private stations. He is an all-rounder who has done production work in radio, produced
jingles and promos, done news and sports presentation and of course being a front liner, an announcer
and an emcee for various formal and informal functions. In his 11 year stint in the media world, Steve
has also hosted a multitude of TV shows targeted at the youth. With a keen interest in acting, he
decided to try out for the Si Putih & the 7 Makciks audition with famed actor & director Sham Sunder
who later informed him that he made it to the call-backs and eventually the final cast list. This being his
first theatrical play he hopes to continue acting and someday act in a full length feature movie.
NICK DORIAN as Mak Snoozy
Since he could start walking, Nick Dorian was already acting. He was recently seen on the big screen in
Petaling Street Warriors directed by James Lee. On stage, he has been seen in productions such as
Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing & Twelfth Night amongst others. He won the Best Actor Award at the
recent Short+Sweet Musical Festival. For more info on 'The Dorian', go find his fan page on Facebook.
Yes, he has a fan page.
KENNY YAP as Mak Misery
Kenny Yap is one of the fresh faces in the theatre world and is no stranger in the dance world. Although
as petite and slim as he is, his favourite companion is delicious food. He’s never too busy for a good ole
book.
This is his first ever role in an Actors Studio production. His only other previous experience on stage was
as Lady Maiko in an experimental production. He hopes to someday be a part of big Broadway and
theatrical productions.
NG EE MUN aka MUNNIE as Mak Shy
I started dancing since I was 10 years old but there wasn't any professional training till I turned 20, I was
self-taught and while I was studying in KDU College for a Diploma in Culinary Arts, I also joined a dance
club called PARTs (short for Performing Arts.) My first performance was for Relay for Life 2007 and from
then on I started choreographing and performing for in house events. This may be my first play that I’m
involved in but besides dancing, I would like to experience theatre life and expose myself more.
IMAN SOBHAN as Mak Style
He started from Joe Hasham’s acting for beginners and did his first role in Short & Sweet theatre in
2010. This year was Iman’s first involvement in Short & Sweet Musical then jumping on board the Si
Putih and the 7 Makciks’ band wagon. He also has a stint in local television.