Download The Drive - The Actors Studio

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kuala Lumpur, October 28th 2011 - Although it is a little late for Halloween, it's never a too late
to get spooky. The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat presents The Drive. Running from the 16th till
20th of November, The Drive will be staged at The Actors Studio @ Lot 10.
Paying tribute to several genres of horror, The Drive is presented with a main story and driven
with three mini stories. On The Drive, Jerry, Stevie and Mo go searching where others warn not
to go and what they find there will never leave them. The story follows three characters, Jerry,
Stevie and Mo. They are childhood friends with a common passion for the paranormal, all
driven by their own search for the truth. A tip from Stevie's source has given the three a new
hot spot where they hope to finally capture or see something.
The Drive, Jude James’ first full-length play features a mix cast, namely: Ariff Faisal Abdullah,
Branavan Aruljothi, Omar Ali, Sharon Lam, Ng Boon Ping and Redza Minhat. Ariff, Branavan and
Omar will be playing the three principal characters while the others as supporting roles.
The cast and crew are steered by first time director Ashraf Zain, who is no stranger to the stage
as a performer. His latest project was the highly enjoyable "Jom Improv!" with his improv
troupe Artificially Intelligent : Improvholics Anonymous (AI:IA).
When asked what The Drive is about, Ashraf says, “It's not just a play about the supernatural,
about ghosts. It is a story about the fear of the unknown; we are more scared of the things we
don't know than the things we know. [It is also about] the things people would do to get what
they want. It’s more towards disturbing, it’s like this; once you set your goal, you just go for it,
regardless of morale and what society wants.”
When people get scared, their bodies automatically triggers the "fight or flight" response—their
heart rates increase, they breathe faster and their muscles tense. If you are not afraid yet, take
a ride with The Drive this November.
-ENDS-
The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat presents
The Drive
DATE & TIME
: 16th November (preview) @ 8.30pm.
17th – 19th Nov @ 8.30pm
20th Nov 2011 @ 3pm.
VENUE
: The Actors Studio @ Lot 10
AGE LIMIT
: 16 & above – mild horror.
TICKET PRICE
: RM30 and RM15 (side seats, students, disabled, TAS card holders)
Preview Night: RM15 flat.
BOX OFFICE
Call or Walk-in
Walk-in
: klpac @ Sentul Park (+603-40479000)
: The Actors Studio @ Lot 10 (+603-21422009 / 21432009)
: ILasso Tickets @ A606, Block A, Phileo Damansara II. (+603-79576088
for enquiries)
SYNOPSIS:
This happened to a friend of a friend. Once, these three friends went up to visit an old asylum.
You see, these three weren't the careless inexperienced type. No, they spent every waking hour
dedicating themselves to their blog and the pursuit of added viewership. You see, this old
asylum was the perfect spot for their horror-fanatic fans. Too perfect.
For Mo, Stevie and Jerry, a good ghost story on one late night drive would be expected. But on
this drive, the stories come to life. And death.
The Drive is directed by Ashraf Zain & written by Jude James. Featuring Ariff Faisal Abdullah,
Branavan Aruljothi, Omar Ali, Sharon Lam, Ng Boon Ping and Redza Minhat.
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
Ashraf Zain – Director
He first got involved in theatre as an actor in 2002 in Universiti Malaya. He was supposed to do
Biology Science but got bored and tried theatre instead. His theatre works includes “Mat
Cowboy” (Universiti Malaya), "Tunku Kudin" (Universiti Malaya), “Soluloki Sebuah Kanvas”
(SATU), "Coffee & Toast!" (Dramalab), "Sybil" (The Actor's Studio), “Kisah Gadis: Mangli” (The
Actor's Studio Teater Rakyat), “Belacan, Geragok And Other Prawns” (klpac), Kaki Blue (klpac),
“Adam The Musical” (The Actors Studio), "Serangan Zombi Pertama di Malaysia" (The Actor's
Studio Teater Rakyat),"Projek Disko Baldi" (Playground Productions), “Main Dalam Stor”
(Playground Productions) and “Jom Improv! AI:IA” (The Actors Studio Teater Rakyat)
He would like to thank Joe and Faridah for this opportunity. He is forever grateful.
He's convinced that one day, someone will give him RM4.20 million so that he can finally start
up his own bakery. For now, this will do. ENJOY THE SHOW!
Jude James – Playwright
Jude James is a writer at heart, teacher in soul, and aspires to be a director. His works have
been seen in Short + Sweet 2009 and 2010, in which his plays "For the Love of... Beans" and
"The Bear in the Pawn Shop" were selected to be performed. "The Bear in the Pawn Shop"
went on to the Gala Finale in 2010. He is also participating in Short + Sweet Musical and Theatre
this year. He is the writer and director for "The Moment After" in S + S Musical and the director
for "Because the World Needs Unicorns" in S + S Theatre. "The Drive" is his first full-length
production.
Ariff Faisal Abdullah – Actor
Faisal started acting the minute he left his mother’s womb, when he portrayed the "Baby Boy"
role to wondrous applause. By some accident, he gained a leading role in the movie Crayon
(2010) alongside Adibah Noor - there were other actors, but he specifically names Adibah
Noor to impress people. "I was in a movie with Adibah Noor" he would often say, followed by,
"Yes, the famous singer."
He has been in a number (1) of plays, including the only one he did: Single Worded Title which
won 3 awards in the Short+Sweet Theatre Festival 2010. He also did a play in college, but he
had like two lines, so nevermind that.
He had a short stint as a stand-up comedian during which, he opened for Harith Iskandar and
Douglas Lim. Yes, the famous comedians.
Omar Ali – Actor
In pursuit of that which he, frankly, has no solid idea of, Omar quit his desk-job late last year
and stumbled onto the brighter side of the stage soon after; he's been loving it ever since. Still
keen from August 2011's A Darker Shade of Red, this will be his fifth attempt at playing makebelieve, but his first at dealing with things that go bump in the night. Ish! Jangan - pandang –
belakang!!!
Branavan Aruljothi – Actor
Branavan is an avid theatre patron, perennial cake eater and tabloid scribe. Born to be off the
stage he occasionally prances across – literally – to play with his supremely talented friends.
He was last seen flexing his non-existent chops in Mark Beau de Silva’s “I Am Not My Pimples,”
and in “Short+Sweet 2011.”
His other works include several plays over the span of seven years that people have probably
never heard of. Or choose not to remember.
Sharon Lam – Actor
Sharon Lam started her life in the theatre in 2008 with Joe Hasham's Acting For Beginner's
class. She went on to become an ensemble member of the inaugural Theatre For Young People
2008 programme, acting in productions like "Ten: Theatrical Lightning Strikes Human
Relationships" and "What Does It Mean... To Be Malaysian?".
She also got herself involved in Short and Sweet beginning 2008 in which she was awarded Best
Actress Runner Up for her performance in "Love and Light". She has been seen in productions
such as "The Secret Love Life of Ophelia", "Rancangan Hari Jadi Terhebat Adli" and "The Real
Inspector Hound". As someone who wishes to attempt to do it all, she has dabbled in writing
and a smitther of directing. Otherwise, she spends her free time feeding the curious cat in her,
stopping occasionally to smell the roses.
Boon Ping – Actor
Boon Ping hails from Bukit Mertajam. He had his first taste of theatre when he was involved in
his high school drama club production years ago. After school, he studied design in UTM Johor
and worked in the southern state for 3 years.
In 2011, he decided to further his studies in Kuala Lumpur. Here, he discovered the vibrant and
thriving theatre scene and rekindled his passion for acting. In the same year, he auditioned and
managed to get a part in Electric Minds Project’s Bars & Bedrooms, a play of four short stories
revolving love & passion. The experience has given him much needed insight into the world of
theatre and spurs him to further immerse himself in the scene.
Redza Minhat – Actor
Redza Minhat (RM) is a banker by profession. Other than that, he acts and writes both on stage
and on screen.
For the past 10 years, his works on stage among others include; include; "Tat Nenas", "Kelab
Malam", "Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet", "Tunku Kudin", "Otak Tak Center" (Dramalab),
"Coffee & Toast!" (Dramalab), "Gadis Jalan Burmah" (Dramalab /The Actor's Studio), ALLAH!
(The Actor's Studio), "Wacky Bar" (PJ Live Arts), "Rancangan Harijadi Terhebat Adli" (The Actor's
Studio) "RPT: Scandalicious" (PJ Live Arts), "Medea" (The Actor's Studio) , "Serangan Zombi
Pertama di Kuala Lumpur" (The Actor's Studio), work in progress staging of "KLUE DOH!",
"Projek Disko Baldi" (Playground Productions) and numerous others.
RM was previously nominated for Best Newcomer in the recent Festival Filem Malaysia 2010
and Best Supporting Actor in Anugerah Skrin 2010 when he was featured as one of the leads in
"Pisau Cukur" (2009) a film directed by Bernard Chauly, produce by Red Comm. Recent TV
works include featuring in miniseries including "Goda" and "Impian". His latest screen-works
include an independent movie "KIL" which is due for cinema release next year.
The initial RM is not to be confused with the first lady, who is allegedly more famous than he is.
Yusman Mokhtar – Production Designer
Yusman Mokhtar holds a Diploma in Theatre majoring in scenography. He started doing theatre
with the Rep16:21 youth ensemble back in 2001 and has since done work both on stage and off
stage, though his passion remains in scenography and directing.
His theatre credits include; Lift: Out of Order, The Crucible, Butterflies Are Free, Tat Nenas,
Coffee & Toast, Si Yatim Chao, Projek KoKen's Teater Kompilasi Vol 1 & 2, Tanda, Short Eyes,
Jalan Mati, What Does It Mean To Be... Malaysian, Bottom Top, Belacan, Geragok And Other
Prawns, Kaki Blue The Musical, DanSing Thru Broadway 1 & 2, Sparks Of Broadway, Muzikal Uda
Dan Dara, Serangan Zombie Pertama di Malaysia and Main Dalam Stor.
Khairul Murphy – Sound Designer
This is his first debut as Sound Designer for Theater. He thanks the Director for making "that"
call.