Saturday, April 28, 2012

A Stud, A Babe and A Latte Boy (and A Pianist) in KLPAC

XD Added a small part of the title on my own accord. Hope KLPAC doesn't mind. XD

I was in KLPAC not-that-recently to watch A Stud, A Babe and A Latte Boy and wow, everyone was in character already the moment 'patrons' of the bar arrived. I also think that this is one of the shows that have the best people of their field(s) came together. First, we have Zoe Taylor as the song bird, Malik Taufiq for some really awesome comedic timing, Lex Lakshman Balakrishnan(Lex) for the wonderful dance moves and Ching Eng Shen, with his nimble fingers on the piano.


This musical comedy honestly transported me back to the Shanghai glamour in 1960s. Just without the supporting dancers, which in my opinion, not needed at all as Annie's (Zoe Taylor's character) voice was enough to carry the whole show.  Of course, it wasn't acapella singing as there is a pianist, Roland(Ching Eng Shen's character) to play the melodious accompaniment.
Of course, what is a bar without a bartender, Felix (personal opinion, the Stud of the title)(acted by Malik Taufiq) in this bar. He, in his own way, was the cause of the play. Felix made Annie who she is today, the glamorous voice of the bar. Where there is a Bartender, you have the Latte Boy, Taylor, played by Lex and mind you, Taylor just completes the whole show. Taylor made the ending such a funny one!

Ah, was too eager to jump into the musical that I forgotten to give some introduction. SPOILER ahead!
[Annie was describe as NICE only in her year book. Nothing less, nothing more, just a NICE. Doesn't help much that she is quite geeky, thus, much hurt and injured, it all changed when she entered university. Singing in a bar and having a romantic relationship are part of the changes. Now, just sit back, relax and enjoy the transformation and the things that happen!!]

The play started with Annie's singing, and I literally jumped in my seat then! Her vocal chords were just so powerful! Of course, Roland's playing was equally great to match her singing. Loud enough to be heard, soft enough to shift the attention to Annie's singing. Annie sang a multitude of songs which really showed how versatile she is. But she wasn't the only one singing through the whole show. Each and everyone on of the cast can sing! Quite well too! Felix interrupted once when Annie sang O Mio Babbino Caro and he really sang opera style, Taylor sang Belaian Jiwa to show his love and care, even Roland sang once in a while! Are they still not the best yet?

Of course, during times of conversation, especially the first time Lex appeared on stage and spoke to geeky Annie, interaction between Annie and Felix, those were the times that everyone can really laugh at. Also, catch their body language or facial expression(recommended to watch with a wide angle view so nothing misses the eye). Somehow, it was really funny to know they were acting but it felt so real, like things you would do among your friends in normal circumstances.

Enough talk of the show! Just go watch it yourself! XD This musical comedy will run until 29th April 2012. So for 28th April, show starts at 8.30pm while on 29th, its 3pm. Priced at RM43 for everyone and RM23 for students and disabled on normal seats. Or, if you really want the bar experience, get yourself and 3 other friends a table for RM250, complimentary bottle of wine provided. Also, you can get the programme booklet, which is shaped like a drink menu and contains songs being sung in the musical at a super low price of RM 2!!

Penangites! This play will come to PenangPAC in May, so, to momentarily entertain yourself, go watch Corporal PUNishment first! It is an equally interesting play! In a different way! XD

PS. Lack of photos this time as I didn't manage to get a decent shot. T.T photography skills EPIC FAIL!

Monday, April 23, 2012

SOS!!! Shows and Performances in May 2012 for KLPAC and TAS

Update : This got to be the best accidental troll post I ever made! Apologies to so many people who came here finding nothing!! >.< Honestly, wasn't aware that its empty except for the title. So, to compensate, this will be a picture- and words-laden post

Anyway, back to topic on hand, there are so many great shows and performances in May that until now, I still can't make up my mind. Moreover, there are two places to choose from, KLPAC and TAS. Give me a little help and suggest, onegaishimasu (please!!!)

MAY 2 – 6                   JALAN PINTAS FILM SCREENING (TAS)
                                     Imagine a film that premiered in Freedom Film Fest and was shot using only a Canon 5D. How much more basic could it get? Presented in Malay as well,
                                     it is bound to be interesting.

MAY 4 – 6                   T4YP 5TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON HEARTS DESIRE (Indicine)
                                     The monotony of life, how many of us loved it, loathed it or even accepts it?
                                     But when order is disrupted, do you embrace or deny the chaos? Masterfully
                                     presented by Director Christopher Ling and the T4YP ensemble, its a play
                                     about homecoming.

MAY 4 – 6                   JUNIOR STRING ENSEMBLE (P2) 
                                     I would say that this is one of the best concert to bring children to, especially
                                     string instruments learner for a few reasons. For one, the children might be
                                     able to appreciate the performances better as the perfomers could be of the
                                     same age. Who knows? Maybe he or she will joing the KLPAC string
                                     ensemble under the baton of Dr. Takahisa Ota.

MAY 7 – 8, 14 - 15     WORLD’S BEST MOVIES (Indicine)

Enough said.

MAY 9 – 12                 VIRGIN NIA (Indicine)
                                     Bought to you by Serious Comedy Studio, its a play that has a lot of ironic
                                     themes and hypocrisy. When two Chinese (Virgin Nia and Dick, honestly, its
                                     their name) who proclaims to champion the Chinese culture and language but
                                     only does the western stuff, should they still proudly say that they champion
                                     the Chinese heritage?


MAY 10 – 12               PLATFORM – THE EMPEROR (P2)

 The Emperor is now a name for the kidnapper, who kidnapped a group of people and locked them in a room. What will happen to them as the night goes deeper, darker and further from humanity?


MAY 11 - 13                THE GODMOTHER (TAS)
                                     A woman made of steel, suffered an injury and needs to be hospitalised.
                                     Initially a quiet affair, turned to havoc when a nurse accidentally let the cat
                                     out of the bag. Being an action comedy, I just can't fathom how the story will
                                     go, with the injured lady and all the visitors and their hidden intentions.


MAY 16 - 20                IMPROV JOM WITH AIIA (P2)

 To be pronounced as Aiiiiiiiiiiiyaaaaaah, this is a one-heck of a performance as it is meant to be super crazy and hyper-interactive. Apparently, there are so many things packed into it but I am not going to spoil it for you. :P Also, the performers will actually carry out the show based on audiences response, so never expect the same progress when you attend again!

MAY 16 – 20               TEATER SENAPAS ((TAS TEATER RAKYAT)


My weakening command in Bahasa Melayu deterred me from understanding the word Senapas but what already caught my attention was the poster. I initially thought it was an arm full of muscles and scars. But upon further scrutiny, its a crying baby. For what purpose, I know now but one thing for sure, its going to be one play that strikes the heart.
 
MAY 25 - 26                NYOBAKAN THE STORY OF LIAO ZHAI CATAN KULIT
                                     Not sure if many of you remember the Chinese movie, Painted Skin which
                                     came out about one or two years ago? Yup, the original story was actually by
                                     a Qing dynasty writer who goes by the pen-name Liao Zhai (real name Pu
                                     Song-Ling). So, Catan Kulit will actually explore further into the masks that
                                     each and everyone wears and not just the skin that the evil being wears. An
                                     extra edge of this play is also because it will incorporate dances and
                                     movements. Body language at its best!

MAY 30 – 31               THE CHAMBER WIND PROJECT (hosted by Birdian Saxophone Quartet
                                     and klpac) (Pentas 2)

 This is one concert that I would reeaaallllllyyyyy love to attend. Solely due to two simple facts, I love woodwind instruments quite a lot and the repertoire for this concert is quite vast as the ensembles(3 here) will perform music from Baroque all the way to Contemporary! So, if you share the same interest, do attend!


Yeah, these are all that I am considering, actually there's more, but a little time-pressed here, so will put it in soon!!
So, be quick guys!! April is ending!! And remember to give suggestion on which one I should attend. really spoilt for choices!

Saturday, April 21, 2012

It's the end of the world, now run SCREAMING!!!! In Blackbox @ MapKL

The silent frenzy, the simmering madness, the hidden lunacy!! That's all I can use to illustrate how I felt about this play! And bought to you by Electric Minds Project!

Enter the door and we shall proceed:

I was initially very lost at the beginning as the actors (ok, the script writer if you will) actually use lines or a method that follow-up from one voice to another. Besides that, I was sitting quite far from the stage (and also a little weak on hearing :P), so I sort of couldn't catch what was happening.

Though, that was only for the introduction. When it enters the 4 short plays, I began to understand more on what's happening. SPOILER ALERT : Post-apocalyptic situation! XD sorry, bad joke there. Serious SPOILER ALERT : The plays showed a myriad of events that can potentially happened when its the end of the world. What really caught my attention was the play about two men who believed in hope and survival while the other play managed to bought archangels down to Earth. Of course, the other two was interesting as well, except that it is a tad bit too much for me to handle. I cannot bring myself to talk about them. Its something that needs to be watched and experienced first hand.

The plays only constitute one part of the equation though. The other main part of the equation comes from the dancing. The dancing comes in 3 segments. I understand it as each represent different things. Generally, there was a certain disorganised feeling to them but I just can't help feeling that it was wonderfully choreographed.

One of the many faces of the set:


Credits to Alex Chua for the set design (the doors too!). The set is quite concise in my opinion. Perhaps mobile too! And the sets fit all 4 plays quite nicely. And in all honesty, the picture didn't do the set any justice. ><

Yup, that's as much disclosure that I'll make about the whole series. Do come to Publika's blackbox @ mapKL to catch them on Sunday 22nd April for the last show at 3.30pm. Tickets are priced reasonably (anyway, money doesn't matter when it's the end of the world, right?). Don't forget the informative programme booklet priced at RM10(definitely worth every single cent)

Friday, April 13, 2012

Life Sdn. Bhd. 8 : Human Trafficking @ TAS, Lot 10

Human trafficking, what a topic. Before attending Life Sdn. Bhd. session for the year, I was blissfully ignorant of such happenings. Of course I knew such terms, but the magnitude behind two simple words, it simply eludes me but after today, I am going to view each immigrant workers, beggars or even sexual workers differently.And that's just a small part of it, the bigger part would involve a whole long list that even this blog post can't fit.

Just a little intro(for those uninitiated), Life Sdn. Bhd. is not a play nor a musical. In my own personal opinion, it is a sharing session where individuals, regardless of how they are related to the topic at hand, were invited to share, to speak and to educate audiences about such happenings. For example, this year's topic is Human Trafficking and so, on the stage, we have NGO volunteers, from both the local and international scene, victim(s) of human trafficking and performing artists to further amplify the issue either by singing or dancing.

Before I proceed, Life Sdn. Bhd. 8 will be running from 12 April to 15 April, with shows nightly at 8.30pm except for 15 April, which will then be 3.30pm. Tickets are reasonably priced at RM35 for everyone except students, TAS card holder and less-abled, which will then be RM 25.

Here are the few heroes and heroines that presented for the day and their details are presented in the booklet,  available at minimum of RM 5 donation.



















When I hear the stories that each individual shared, I was moved to tears, seriously. Even the last pic, the lady was on stage but she herself cried, and I believe she wasn't the only one. Some of the experiences were just so unbelievable that I literally frowned and cried but nevertheless, its the truth and nothing else. After the whole session, I couldn't stand, I was literally shivering in my seat. That was the effect the session had on me. It felt like I had a whole different world shoved into my face!

Please, just attend the session and know about the issue better. We may have read news about human trafficking but trust me, those are just the tip of the iceberg. Experiences and informations shared in this session are like the one that is hidden from field of view. We, in every small minuscule way, can makes lives just a bit better and more bearable for such victims, if anymore, in the future.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Corporal PUNishment for the puny ones in KLPAC!

Ok, failed attempt at punning just now. Still a good try, no? (Please say yes!) Though, puns and jokes aside, I was glad 11th April 2012 was public holiday, solely because I don't need to worry not being able to make it for Corporal PUNishment, KLPAC's latest production.

Imagine living in a world that having fun is a cardinal sin, a crime punishable by law and an act condemned by.. ALL!!! So, what happens is a guy, aptly named TL(trust me if you will, his name has a few uses and contributes to some puns in the play), found a way to change that world, when his friend, KC bring news of PUN-dora box to him.

So, you get to see 'the odds against them', how ssssseductive snakes can be and the Forbidden fruit of the play! XD, just so you know, those are some parts of the play, still not the whole thing! Some photos below to put the play into perspective( I tried a pun! XD)

From left to right : The cat(no, your eyes weren't playing tricks, its a guy), TL, girlfriend and FC

 A journey to PUN-dora's box!

 PUN-dora's box!!! Finally!

 Some serious epic gay moments! Yaoi-fans might like this part(and the number six just got a whole new meaning)

 This is the part I like the best : Engaging and involving the audience!!!

 Who the hell is this?

Is this the end? But doesn't look so? What do you think?

Besides their journey, one really captivating aspect of the play was the soundtrack. The team pieced together varying pieces of music which worked wonders for the whole play. I myself tapped my feet to the music, especially when *drum rollls...... The main theme of Pirates of Carribean came up! Can you feel the pounding? Can you feel the excitement and adventure yet?

But, this play made me think, puns can be a good form of humour, but what happens if it is the only form of humour? What will happen to humour in the form of silly-ness? Or, in the form of being.. captain obvious and the likes?  

So, a final word before the curtain closes, Corporal PUNishment will run from 11 April to 15 April in KLPAC, 8.38pm for all days and only 3.33pm on Sunday(15 April), alternatively, if KLPAC is too far, do drop by at PenangPAC from 2 May to 6 May, with the same timings as above including 3.33pm on 6 May.
Tickets are priced at RM 33 for basically everyone unless you are a student, less-abled and a TAS card holder, which will then cost you RM23 per ticket. Preview nights aka 2 May 2011 is RM 23 flat-rate for PenangPAC audience!

Remember the fun and to pun!!

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Luna Bar. At. Last.

So many things happened within 2 weeks that I don't even know where to start! But one thing for sure that I must write is my virgin trip to a bar. Unlike the one in Bartender but still a bar. And not just any bar, but Luna Bar. XD

Ok, a short prologue before I start gushing about Luna Bar. It all started with a lecturer wanting to motivate his students to do better in exams and the incentive he would gave is a meal in Chili's. So, what happened was, for the sitting I did, only 4 of us went for the paper, so since its a small group, we managed to nail an additional treat, which is first round of drinks in Luna Bar.

At Chili's, it was more of a eating and chit-chat session. Feels good to be able to crap as well since the corporate is all about being prim and proper.  Also, the time at Chili's was just to wait for the KL city to turn into a breathtaking view(assuming you are seeing it from Luna Bar).  

Anyway, what I had for the first round, inspired by Bartender, was Grasshopper. Its quite a dessert-type drink because its minty and sweet but not before you experience the alcohol of it. So, first thing you get is to be kicked by the alcohol but the cooling and sweet sensation that you get after that was just fantastic! And its a frosty green that's just... easy on the eyes. And the male sign on the coaster is just perfect for me! :P


In Bartender though, Grasshopper was actually prepared Pousse-Cafe style, where the drink is supposed to have 3 layes, a white layer, red layer and green layer(don't really remember the order) and they are not suppose to mix with each other.

So, the drink I have next(aka paid for it myself) was actually Daiquiri Lime. This one actually carries sourness with a tinge of bitterness at the end. Not really strong alcohol presence. Decent for those who wants a slight taste and not overly strong drink.

Ops! Too eager to talk about the drinks that I forgotten to mention about the ambience, decor and view of Luna Bar. Well, in my most humble and personal opinion, this is a really great place to bring friends that you really want to get closer with because its has that casual and classy atmosphere to be in. Furthermore, you have great view of KL City, rumoured to even be able to see Genting Highlands on a clear day. I purposely did not take a picture of the view as I won't need to write, or more like, no one would care to read what I wrote.

Quick tip though if you really want to make a visit : Be there at about 8pm or when the sun is setting or after it sets, then you won't need to pay cover charge nor make any bookings. 
 
In short, its a great place!