#SHOWBIZ: When the world says 'no'
He is directing the play "Let Me Go", which will be staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre over the weekend of July 11.
"Only when we experience firsthand what it's like to be on the other side, do we truly know whether that new way of living suits us, or if the dream even fits.
"Not tenaciously pursuing our dreams or passions is seen as failure, at least in the eyes of today's youth."
Ling, the associate artistic director at The Actors Studio Malaysia, is directing the graduation play of Dhakshayni Jegatheeswaran.
She is from the Tutas Conservatory of Performing Arts, a collaboration between The Actors Studio and Taylor's University.
Co-written by Mark Beau de Silva and Dhakshayni, "Let Me Go" tells the story of Nira. She has always dreamed of going to Hollywood.
A multiple Boh Cameronian Arts Award winner, Ling says that the best part of directing this play has been working with a dedicated ensemble of four young actors.
"They're ready to deliver at every rehearsal.
"They bring their artistry and imagination to the rehearsal studio along with a deep understanding of the characters that Mark and Dhakshayni have envisioned."
Dhakshayni, a graduating student of the Bachelor's in Performing Arts at Tutas , says her love for the arts began at the age of 6.
"The TV was always on, and there were always movies playing. But my real connection to the arts happened when I was 12.
"I got cast in my first stage production, 'Sand the Musical', 10 years ago. That's where I fell in love with acting."
Dhakshayni is not just an actor on screen and stage, but also a dancer.
Steeped in kathak and bharatanatyam lessons from a young age, she later explored contemporary styles through independent projects.
"In many ways, the arts have healed me. Dance, especially, has been like medicine for my soul, keeping me sane through everything life throws my way."
In a world driven by social media, some may consider live theatre outdated.
But Dhakshayni feels theatre allows her to be herself.
"Unlike a film set where there are cuts, breaks and chances to reset, live theatre demands presence, stamina and full awareness from start to finish.
"You don't get a second take, so if anything goes wrong, you learn to adapt and cover it up in the moment. It tests your resilience in a way that film doesn't.
"I owe everything to theatre — it's where my foundation in acting was built. Without it, I don't think I would've grown into the actor I am today."
She adds that the idea for "Let Me Go" came from her childhood experiences growing up with a dream to pursue the arts.
"I was lucky to have supportive parents, but the voices around me always seemed to say the opposite.
"There was this constant noise from relatives, neighbours and even teachers, all echoing the same outdated mindset that anything in the arts is a losing path."
The play also explores the racism that exists in the Asian community, says Dhakshayni.
"If you're Asian, you've likely felt it, whether it's the subtle looks, the 'preferences' in casting, or the way colourism plays out in who gets seen and heard."
"Let Me Go" asks the audience if a young Malaysian woman can chase her dream in a world that often tells her that she shouldn't.
It stars Dhakshayni herself, Lakshmi Ahrunagiry, Perassath and Tania Ashwini.
The play will be staged at 8pm on July 11 and 12, and at 3pm on July 13.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
3 days ago
- The Star
From Lorca to 'Cakerawala', Klang Valley theatre heats up this July
As July begins, Klang Valley's theatre scene continues to build momentum, offering a diverse mix of productions to mark the second half of the year. From the return of an award-winning favourite to works that blend dance with astrophysics, alongside immersive theatre, bold adaptations, and surreal comedy – local companies are presenting a wide range of stories and styles. Here are a few shows to look out for. Sofea Lee in a scene from 'Burden Of Proof', staged in Penang in 2023. Photo: Dabble Dabble Jer Collective BREAKING THE SILENCE Burden Of Proof – a theatre production confronting sexual violence in Malaysia – takes the stage at Papan Haus, Petaling Jaya, from July 3–6. Inspired by real-life accounts, the show blends dramatic monologue, movement, original music, and visual art to spotlight survivor experiences. Following a sold-out 2023 premiere in Penang, this Klang Valley debut features Chrisalynn Lim, Matthew Tan, Sofea Lee, Villmett Thanakody, and Ysabel Loh, who also directs. Developed over three years by Penang's Dabble Dabble Jer Collective, the show creates a safe, inclusive space for survivor voices. A companion installation, The Quiet Space, features stories and visual interpretations by artist Justin Khaw, inviting reflection and shared testimony. The show is intended for mature audiences. The cast of 'Let Me Go' (from left): Tania Ashwini, Lakshmi Ahrunagiry, Dhakshayni Jeegatheeswaran, and Perassath. Photo: Tat Chin A TOUGH DILEMMA If you're keen to catch fresh talent on stage, Let Me Go is a solid bet - a heartwarming tale of a young Malaysian woman caught between family expectations and Hollywood dreams. Written and performed by Dhakshayni Jegatheeswaran and directed by Christopher Ling, the play delves into identity, ambition, and the price of chasing stardom, brought to life by students from Taylor's University's Bachelor of Performing Arts programme. Let Me Go, with guidance from performance arts lecturer Mark Beau de Silva, runs at Pentas 2, KLPac from July 11–13. It is Dhakshayni's script that ultimately anchors the production. The story begins with Nira Raajan, a young woman who dreams of dazzling the world from a Hollywood stage - but leaving home, and all that comes with it, is never quite that simple. As she prepares to chase her dream abroad, her mother panics, her father tries to keep the peace, and nosy Aunt Filo fills the house with gossip and protest. It's a warm, funny and at times painfully real story about ambition, family ties and identity. Expect family fireworks, sharp humour and emotional truths that hit close to home. Will Nira soar, or will she stay grounded by the very people she loves most? AFTER HOURS, SOMETHING LURKS Pop Up Theatre returns with a fast-paced, dark comedy packed with visual gags and cult horror nods – led by writer-director Scott McQuaid and actor-producer Alexandria Kay, with a cast of local and international talent. Dead Tourists plays at Soul City Hub, Kuala Lumpur on July 18 and 19. The plot? Well, McQuaid, a British writer based in Kuala Lumpur, has a knack for dialing up the spook factor to full effect. In Dead Tourists, Olive works the night shift at a mortuary in downtown New York, and when a dead body suddenly becomes undead, the evening spirals into chaos. Set in a surreal world orbiting around an old typewriter and a cast of oddball misfits (a hobo, a pimp, a stripper), Dead Tourists walks the line between dark comedy, horror, and absurdist satire. The show features a large ensemble cast, including Ella Sophia, Jerry Pang, Alexandria Kay, and Rhadd Hunt. 'Us: A Journey Of Love, Loss & Belonging' is presented by Big Nose Productions, a theatre company from Penang. Photo: Sherwynd Kessler WHEN LOVE KNOCKS Us: A Journey Of Love, Loss & Belonging, created by veteran writer-director Fa Abdul, received rave reviews during its recent Penang run. Starring Karam Tabba, Lauren Tan, and Ivan Gabriel, the show makes its Kuala Lumpur debut at Pentas 2, KLPac from July 17–20. A poignant exploration of what it means to love deeply, lose bravely, and find home within oneself, Us offers a raw, human take on romance - the kind that wrecks you, in the best way. It follows the story of Mark and Anna, two fiercely independent souls, find themselves in an unexpected romance. As they navigate the tension between closeness and self-preservation, they must confront the emotional walls they've built - can love bridge the gap, or will fear pull them apart? Fazleena Hishamuddin (as Nina) and Aloy Paradoks (as Saddiq Saufi) in 'Persiapan Seorang Aktor', presented by Studio Sedar Ruang. Photo: Sufian Abas WHAT DREAMS COST Winner of two Boh Cameronian Arts Awards earlier this year – including Best Original Script – Persiapan Seorang Aktor returns in a new staging by Mask Team and director Shawn Amer. The Bahasa Malaysia production will run at Nero, PJPac, 1 Utama Shopping Mall, Petaling Jaya from July 17–20. The play follows a gifted actor whose obsession with greatness slowly consumes him. Determined to be not just the best in Malaysia but the greatest the world has seen, he studies acting with almost religious intensity – quoting theory, immersing himself in method, and gradually spiralling into alienation, burnout, and depression. At the centre of this unraveling is Nina, his wife, whose quiet devotion offers fleeting moments of warmth and clarity. Persiapan is both a love letter to the craft of acting and a cautionary tale about ego, ambition, and the unseen toll of artistic pursuit. Laced with references to Hamlet and shifting between tragedy and dry wit, the play is a compelling portrait of an artist on the brink – a reminder that dreams, however noble, come with a cost. The show's first night at PJPac has already sold out - so if you're planning to catch it, you'll need to move fast to snag tickets for the remaining nights. A NEW UNIVERSE AWAITS Following its debut last December, Meniti Cakerawala returns for a limited run before embarking on a national tour. Conceived by Sutra Foundation, this multimedia theatre-dance production explores the shared cosmic fascination of astrophysicist Tan Sri Mazlan Othman and choreographer Datuk Ramli Ibrahim. The show - Meniti Cakerwala 2.0 - runs at Auditorium Dewan Bandaraya in Kuala Lumpur from July 25–27. Blending dance, film, music, and spoken word, Meniti Cakerawala transforms astronomy into a poetic, sensory journey. Mazlan herself performs as narrator, guiding the audience through the history of the universe, the wonder of stars, and Malaysia's place in space exploration. The production also features artwork by Jalaini Abu Hassan and voiceovers by literary figures such as Muhammad Haji Salleh and Johan Jaaffar. From scientific awe to lyrical reflection, it's a reminder of the deep connections between art and Cakerawala also features the late Mano Maniam in one of his final theatre narration roles – a poignant tribute to one of Malaysia's legendary stage Kuala Lumpur, the production is set to tour at least six other cities across Malaysia. KLPac's 'Anak-Anak Malik', a localised all-male take on Lorca's 'The House Of Bernarda Alba', is set in a remote 1970s fishing village in Penang. Photo: Tat Chin PATRIACHY, CONTROL AND DESIRE Spanish poet-playwright Federico García Lorca's The House Of Bernarda Alba gets a bold reimagining in Anak-Anak Malik, restaged by The Actors Studio with an all-male cast. Written by Yusof Bakar and directed by Christopher Ling, the story moves from 1930s Andalusia to a remote 1970s fishing village on Pulau Aman, off the coast of Penang. Anak-Anak Malik will play at Pentas 2, KLPac from July 24-27. After his wife's death, Malik imposes a strict 100-day mourning period on his five sons, forbidding them from leaving the house. As tensions mount, long-suppressed emotions begin to surface. Ling's minimalist set places the audience as voyeurs into this cloistered world, heightened by sound and movement curated by Zhafir Muzani. Performed in Bahasa Malaysia with English subtitles, the 10-member cast includes Mark Beau de Silva and Saiful Wazien. This is more than a gender-flipped remake – it's a localised, layered meditation on patriarchy, control, and the quiet ache of desire.
New Straits Times
7 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: When the world says 'no'
THE idea that the grass is greener on the other side always sits at the back of our minds, says director Chris Ling. He is directing the play "Let Me Go", which will be staged at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre over the weekend of July 11. "Only when we experience firsthand what it's like to be on the other side, do we truly know whether that new way of living suits us, or if the dream even fits. "Not tenaciously pursuing our dreams or passions is seen as failure, at least in the eyes of today's youth." Ling, the associate artistic director at The Actors Studio Malaysia, is directing the graduation play of Dhakshayni Jegatheeswaran. She is from the Tutas Conservatory of Performing Arts, a collaboration between The Actors Studio and Taylor's University. Co-written by Mark Beau de Silva and Dhakshayni, "Let Me Go" tells the story of Nira. She has always dreamed of going to Hollywood. A multiple Boh Cameronian Arts Award winner, Ling says that the best part of directing this play has been working with a dedicated ensemble of four young actors. "They're ready to deliver at every rehearsal. "They bring their artistry and imagination to the rehearsal studio along with a deep understanding of the characters that Mark and Dhakshayni have envisioned." Dhakshayni, a graduating student of the Bachelor's in Performing Arts at Tutas , says her love for the arts began at the age of 6. "The TV was always on, and there were always movies playing. But my real connection to the arts happened when I was 12. "I got cast in my first stage production, 'Sand the Musical', 10 years ago. That's where I fell in love with acting." Dhakshayni is not just an actor on screen and stage, but also a dancer. Steeped in kathak and bharatanatyam lessons from a young age, she later explored contemporary styles through independent projects. "In many ways, the arts have healed me. Dance, especially, has been like medicine for my soul, keeping me sane through everything life throws my way." In a world driven by social media, some may consider live theatre outdated. But Dhakshayni feels theatre allows her to be herself. "Unlike a film set where there are cuts, breaks and chances to reset, live theatre demands presence, stamina and full awareness from start to finish. "You don't get a second take, so if anything goes wrong, you learn to adapt and cover it up in the moment. It tests your resilience in a way that film doesn't. "I owe everything to theatre — it's where my foundation in acting was built. Without it, I don't think I would've grown into the actor I am today." She adds that the idea for "Let Me Go" came from her childhood experiences growing up with a dream to pursue the arts. "I was lucky to have supportive parents, but the voices around me always seemed to say the opposite. "There was this constant noise from relatives, neighbours and even teachers, all echoing the same outdated mindset that anything in the arts is a losing path." The play also explores the racism that exists in the Asian community, says Dhakshayni. "If you're Asian, you've likely felt it, whether it's the subtle looks, the 'preferences' in casting, or the way colourism plays out in who gets seen and heard." "Let Me Go" asks the audience if a young Malaysian woman can chase her dream in a world that often tells her that she shouldn't. It stars Dhakshayni herself, Lakshmi Ahrunagiry, Perassath and Tania Ashwini. The play will be staged at 8pm on July 11 and 12, and at 3pm on July 13.
New Straits Times
25-06-2025
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Let Me Go' explores Malaysian youth's dream of making it in Hollywood
KUALA LUMPUR: A new play that tells the story of a young Malaysian's dream of making it big in Hollywood is set to debut in the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC), here soon. Directed by Christopher Ling and co-written by Mark Beau de Silva and Dhakshayni Jegatheeswaran, it is Let Me Go, the story of Nira, who has always dreamed of going to Hollywood someday. However, as she prepares to leave Malaysia, family drama erupts between her panicked mother, diplomatic father, and nosy aunt. As Nira reflects on the hurdles of local fame and global ambition, she is torn between the life she knows and the future she craves. This heartwarming, hilarious, and at times hauntingly real tale about identity, ambition, and the price of chasing stardom asks audiences the question, can a young Malaysian woman truly chase her dream in a world that often tells her not to? Starring Dhakshayni, Lakshmi Ahrunagiry, Perassath, and Tania Ashwini, it is the eighth production practicum under the TUTAS Bachelor of Performing Arts conservatory degree programme. This programme is a three-year conservatory degree programme by The Actors Studio and Taylor's University. An entry by audition only programme, it enables students from Malaysia to learn from award-winning lecturers with hands-on industry experience and full access to KLPAC's facilities. The play will be staged at 8pm and 3pm on July 12 and 13.
