Latest news with #P.RamleeTheMusical
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tackling mental health issues, from women's point of view
THE late playwright Jit Murad's acclaimed three-woman play about mental health issues, 'VISITS', made a triumphant return to the big stage at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) in 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya recently. Staged there on June 20 and 21, and from June 24 to 29, this darkly witty play was in aid of the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) and its initiatives to support women and children in mental health crises. A production of Dramalab, first staged in 2002, it was part of the Jit Murad Festival 2025, PJPAC and Dramalab's on-going celebration of the late artiste's greatest plays. LAYERS Directed by award-winning actress Ida Nerina, the play had a star-studded cast comprising award-winning actresses Datin Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda Suhaimi and Nadia Aqilah. Set in a high-end mental wellness facility, it sees the lives of three women intersect in a single, emotionally charged hospital room. The narrative orbits around three female characters — The Patient, The Sister-In-Law, and The Nurse — portrayed by Nabila, Nadia and Sofia respectively. What unfolds among the three of them in an hour and 40 minutes, is a compelling struggle laced with maternal guilt, class disparity and the fragile line between healing and control. ENGLISH Nabila, a first timer in English theatre, said playing The Patient recovering from mental distress was "out of the ordinary". "One thing I love about theatre is that I can play multiple characters that I might not get on screen," she said. Nadia said it was the first big stage collaboration between the three actresses. "I've always wanted to work with Sofia and Ida. "They're among my idols whose movies I grew up watching," she said, adding that she and Nabila had collaborated in television dramas. CHEMISTRY Nabila said: "It's great that the three of us had almost instant chemistry. We shared a lot and bonded beautifully." Sofia said that she had long admired Nadia, especially as Puan Sri Saloma in 'P. Ramlee The Musical' and Zaiton Sameon in 'Zaiton, Ceritaku'. "It's great to work with Nabila, too, as she's one of our most versatile stars," she said. Nabila said working with Ida was a dream come true. "Ida is a brilliant director, she's friendly, always engaging." SUPPRESSED Nadia said The Patient, The Sister-In-Law and The Nurse each had "suppressed issues". "At the end of the day, all three of them are 'unwell' and want to heal themselves and fulfil their dreams," she said. Nabila added: "You get to delve deep into their minds, and relate to them with their interesting back stories." SAD Nadia said The Sister-In-Law appeared materialistic, but she had a sad family history. Sofia said: "Likewise The Nurse, who appears harsh, but this is a mask to hide her innermost demons." Nabila said: "The Patient tells audiences about how she ended up in hospital, and immerses them in her life story, until they come out of the theatre rooting for her. "What they have in common is they are strong, independent, human and gradually learn to be the best versions of themselves, through their chance meeting in the luxury room." ADMIRED The three actresses have never worked with Jit but have admired him from afar. Nadia said: "He was one of the greatest entertainers Malaysia has ever produced." Sofia said: "There are many great plays Jit came up with. If he were here today, he would be very proud to see 'VISITS' restaged." THEME Nabila said the main theme of 'VISITS 'was the need for mental health issues to be openly discussed. "People with mental health issues are pretty common. It is wholly normal, they are not crazy," she said. Nabila added: "Many people go through the same thing as The Patient." Sofia said Malaysians would have treated mental health differently years ago, but they now realised that it was normal and could be the result of trauma or the genes. "More people should talk about it, and we should all be more compassionate towards people who suffer from mental health problems, too." THOROUGH Nadia said it was a challenge for all of them to play such layered characters. "We had to get into character thoroughly, and at the same time, put a bit of themselves into their characters," she said. FOCUS Nabila said Malaysian theatre should have more plays which focus on issues from women's point of view, such as 'VISITS'. "Women should be portrayed as multi-faceted. They can be happy, strong, vulnerable and neurotic, in the same story. "Most importantly, it has to be their story," she said. Nadia said after the Covid-19 pandemic and the mental health issues that resulted from the lockdown, Malaysians gradually became more open about mental health in film, television and plays. "There are many methods to tackle this hot topic, and doing so through the creative medium gets audiences thinking about people with mental health issues, and seeing what they go through," she said.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Tony revels in portraying P. Ramlee
TONY Eusoff, the 48-year-old actor, has described playing the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee onscreen and in theatre as a significant honour in his two-decade-long artistic career. Tony, whose full name is Anthony Joseph Hermas Rajiman, shared that he never tires of portraying the legendary artiste. "I've acted in the 'P. Ramlee The Musical' theatre production and the 'Saloma' TV mini series, which is based on the life story of the late Puan Sri Saloma and previously starred Nabila Huda. "If it's Saloma's story, there must be a P. Ramlee character in it. I never get tired of playing P. Ramlee because he's a legend, an icon of our arts and culture," he said recently at the premiere of his film, 'Mencari Ramlee'. Tony also revealed he had previously dreamt of acting in a P. Ramlee film. "The first time I played P. Ramlee was in the 'Saloma' biopic. I watched many films which starred him and thoroughly studied his character — his movements, his speech, and so on. "Perhaps because I often watched P. Ramlee's films every night, I even dreamt of acting in one of them. "But I didn't meet him in my dreams. I only dreamt of acting as P. Ramlee, but it wasn't clear, and the dreams were in black and white," he said. Speaking about his role in 'Mencari Ramlee', Tony admitted that he initially felt unqualified to play the lead character. "I see many other actors who could play P. Ramlee and sing better, like Musly Ramlee, but the director had his vision. "I asked Megat Sharizal, the director of 'Mencari Ramlee', and he told me he chose me for the main role because he believed in my talent to give the best performance for the character. "Perhaps it's because we've been friends for a long time, and directors often cast actors from among their friends to collaborate on films," he said. 'Mencari Ramlee' also stars Sofia Jane and Mimi Lana, and began screening in cinemas yesterday.
New Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Siti Nurhaliza's cameo thrill
WHILE every Malaysian knows that Biduanita Negara Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza is the country's No. 1 singer, not many realise that she has occasionally dabbled in acting. While she is not keen on having full-fledged television or movie roles, Siti once starred as a supporting character in an acclaimed musical. That was Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina's long-running 'P. Ramlee The Musical', which was first staged at Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur in 2008. "That is my one and only credited starring role — I played the mysterious muse of Tan Sri P. Ramlee, Azizah, in the first season of Enfiniti Productions' musical," said Siti at the recent launch of her latest motion picture soundtrack, 'Sesal' for director Osman Ali's new horror film 'Telaga Suriram'. The theme song's launch was held at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur and was also attended by Osman. Siti said: "Actually, I have made some cameo appearances in Datuk Rosyam Nor's and my sister-in-law Zaiton Mohamad Jiwa's dramas, usually as myself. "And when I'm not playing myself, I have virtually non-speaking roles, which can be missed by viewers by the blink of an eye!" If Siti does get cameo roles on the big or small screen again, she would love to be a "pegawai" (government official) or a board of directors member. "Even though acting has never been my forte, it is sometimes pretty cool to star in dramas or movies, especially if such dramas or movies have star-studded casts," she said. Based on fan feedback over the years, Siti has learnt that playing officials suits her well, as she always "carries herself with dignity". "Honestly, I don't think I look like an official in both the public and private sectors. But then, it's heartwarming to play such roles because they are respected by society." Siti has occasionally played "superheroes", but only in her music videos. "In some of my music videos, I'm a person who heals. It's a bit like some Michael Jackson videos, but wholly Malaysian and sweet!" When asked about 'Sesal', which is composed and written by Nurzaidi Abdul Rahman, Siti said the song was recorded within three hours last month. "I'm honoured and happy to sing it for a great film with a star-studded cast." 'Telaga Suriram' stars Maya Karin, Nabila Huda Suhaimi, Farid Kamil, Ellie Suriati Omar, Scha Alyahya and Puteri Rafasyah. It tells the story of a mother whose little daughter mysteriously disappears near a well and is believed to have fallen into it and drowned. Osman said: "She refuses to believe that the girl is dead and goes on her own search to uncover the truth behind her disappearance. "She also must clear her name due to widespread belief among her fellow villagers that she killed her daughter." Siti said theme songs are important avenues for singers' hits to be known. "I always advise new singers to get their songs for dramas and movies," she said. "That is because Malaysians love watching dramas and movies, and having good theme songs tied to good dramas and movies helps promote singers." Siti said 'Sesal' is a poignant song that reflects the tragic story of the film's protagonist, a mother who loses her child in mysterious circumstances. "As a mother, I can understand the passion and emotion of the character." Siti's first movie soundtrack was 'Hati', the theme song of the 2007 historical movie '1957: Hati Malaya' directed by Datin Paduka Shuhaimi Baba. In 2022, she sang 'Sama-Sama' the theme song for the Covid-19 pandemic movie 'Juang', which was also directed by Osman. Osman said: 'It is always great to work with our much-loved Queen of Pop. "She is a wonderful person who is professional and friendly, not to mention a person with superb work ethics." Siti is working on an 11-song album of 'Lagu Asli' to be ready by December. While she seldom sings with music maestro Datuk M. Nasir, she said it would be great to join him in his shows again. Siti said: "Nasir's concerts are always entertaining and I always enjoy them. "We last sang on the same stage in 2023, in Malam Bulan Dan Bintang at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur." As for foreign acts, Siti would love to duet with Indonesian rock band Sheila On Seven. "I'm a big fan of Indonesian music and while I have worked with balladeers such as Cakra Khan, Afgansyah Reza, Judika and Kris Dayanti over the years, I feels it is high time that I teamed up with a great group of rockers from the neighbouring country."
