Kal El

I know it's a little late to write this review on P.Ramlee the Musical considering this season's show is over.

It was purposely delayed as I am not going to write a really good review about the production hoping that if they ever read this it would give them time to buck up and think of a way for damage control (although I am pretty sure no one would read this and take it up seriously) From this now on you'd be able to guess that the review was written on a rather disappointing note.


What made the musical a disaster was not the fact that the Sultan of Perlis and Dato' Shafie Afdhal attended the show (Just a note: I attended Sheiila Majid's concert @ Stadium Negara and Dewan Philharmonik Petronas some Jurassic Ages ago with the Queen to the late Sultan Selangor while he was on the reign and with our then Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir, bangga la ni konon) but the production had some really obvious hiccups, those that should have been tackled in the first season.


The musical started right on time, a very professional first impression indeed. The intro with Datin Seri Taiara's very pleasant voice welcoming guests and the intro gimmick by a member of the Infinitez had really brought me to think that P.Ramlee the Musical would be a good continuation to Datin Seri Tiara's marvelous production of Puteri Gunung Ledang. I was wrong.


First of all, I just could NOT relate the main actor to the late Tan Sri P.Ramlee - he may have tried very hard to impersonate the icon but to me he failed big time. I just think that he was trying too hard to become someone he was not. He lacked stage presence and was over shadowed by the other actors and actresses (the guy playing P.Ramlee's best friend, Sukardi, was so much better!) Even his supposedly similar-to-P.Ramlee's voice wasn't at all the same.


It wouldn't be fair to him if I concluded that he didn't sound at all like P.Ramlee. At times he did sound a little like the late Tan Sri but while singing on a stage for a nearly 4 hours show, please, before trying to sound like someone else, better make sure you are able to keep that impersonated voice throughout - he sounded P.Ramlee for a very short while and then returned to become Musli Ramlee for the rest of the show. My opinion - he would have been so much better sounding himself and concentrating on living the Tan Sri's character than just confusing his audiences by playing puppet to a voice that was obviously not his. I just couldn't relate him to the late Tan Sri, not that I have ever known or have met P.Ramlee in real life but I have a share of liking and enjoying his works, just like everybody else, I assume. What Musli had done was kill the main character of the Musical. I have overheard the Chinese lady sitting behind me commented the exact same thing to her friend during intermission.


Some technical problems occurred during the show. Musli's mike wasn't doing him a favour as well as I swear I could hear him panting (I knew it was him because he was trying to pant like P.Ramlee - just kidding there) and his microphone was making so much ruffling noises throughout the show. At one point an announcement was made telling the audiences there was a technical problem and that the show would continue in a minute's time - need they made it so obvious that there was a problem? I personally think that the show could have just been stopped for intermission while the crew works on fixing the problem.


During intermission, those who did not go out could listen to an accidentally broadcasted conversation from back stage and luckily it wasn't about anything sensitive. There goes their professional image, duh!


Of course, there were things I liked and enjoyed about the Musicial - I loved Melissa Saila and I definitely loved Liza Hanim - they both enjoyed being themselves but livened the characters they were acting. Atilia was good and the girl playing Atilia's sister too was amazing! What do I enjoy most? The dancing and the Broadway styled choral and backdrop/props used in the show made the tickets worth. However, I was expecting more P.Ramlee and Saloma's numbers being sung but too bad too many new songs were played instead.


I am sure the production is learning but I believe the learning curve shouldn't take too long. Technical hiccups and making the wrong choice for actors in the second season of the show was just unforgivable. I didn't watch the first season therefore I cannot compare notes on the two but I do admit, I have read more praises for this second season compared to the first but I just couldn't agree with the rest of the reviewers. Perhaps I was just unlucky (the Sultan of Perlis, and Dato' Shafie too) to have experienced the night's hiccups but Musli Ramlee? Furthermore only one miserable pakcik who happened to sit beside KN gave the production team and casts a standing ovation - unlike during the PGL nearly everyone stood cheering and sounding very satisfied. Well, again, I wouldn't be fair to say no one else stood, everybody did...but they stood, eager to leave the hall looking gloomy. Sigh.


Anyway, congratulations to the production team but I am honestly sure it could've been better.

With that, I rest my case..please don't hate me for being frank...

Finally got the tickets to the show on 1st July 2008 at the Plenary Hall, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. We'll be seating At Row Q Seat 50 and 51. Can't wait!

We've got the tickets to P.Ramlee the musical Season 2 on the 25th last month. Unfortunately there's a change of plan as we wanted middle instead of side stall-seats. So it's going to be on June 3rd 2008 instead of the earlier end may date we wanted. Takpe la... we missed Season 1 and we definitely wouldn't want to miss it again this time. So here we come!

Haiyah... now nak kene beli Beauty & the Beast tickets pulak... ekekekek!

We arrived at MTC, Jalan Ampang a little after 7pm - it was still early as my office was nearby. We then decided to walk around snapping photos of the beautifully lit MTC - previosuly known as MATIC and later seated in the auditorium a little before 9pm.

It was indeed an entertaining evening filled with laughter as the Mak Nyahs were such lively people. We laughed all the way throughout although we couldn't relate to some of the more Mak Nyah's inclined dialogues but it was within context and could easily be inferred. I've personally known some of them in my life of 33 years. One being an employee of my father at the florist he used to have a very long time ago. This play, about the poor but blessed souls who are always looked down upon and misunderstood, reminded me of the 'kakak' at my dad's shop who was really nice, pleasant and indeed very pretty. She was very hard working and trustworthy with the store's money. I wonder where she is now.

With that being said, I think that that was the essence of the play 'Patung Kertas' - Mak Nyahs are actually like every one of us, they have feelings and are as responsible, despite them being loud and sometimes 'naughty'. I would just say they're playful. Of course, again like any one of us, there would really be some really mischievous ones and these are the ones who tarnish the rest of the Mak Nyah community.

Dato' Jalaludin Hassan deserves a pat on the back for his daring move to act in this play - although from my readings I understand that his father the famous ustaz was against the idea. Well, I personally think as an actor, this would mean a boost to his already popular status. Patric Swayze became one in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and I think that helped gained his popularity. You need not become one by acting like one, if you know what I mean. After the play, I met Dato' for his autograph. His face showed a kind of relief - perhaps as the play ends last night, so does his worries about society's perception towards his involvement in the play with such extraordinary and colourful people.


I love the emcee character. She/he was funny and not just because the script requires him to interact with the audience but it is his personality that brought the play alive. I also love the 'Pondan Gila' character (can't really recall the character's name - mcm ada bunga-bunda kenanga kot nama dia) - a former half-woman Mak Yong dancer, he was lively and what i really love about this character is that he sang his song live while other characters only mimed to their recorded music. To me, for a play to be called musical, the actors will definitely have to sing live.


The play ended at slightly after 11pm with a cheque presentation ceremony by Noryn Aziz to the Malaysian diva Azean Irdawaty to help her with her cancer treatment. Audiences were treated to lucky draws and KN won a Nestle hamper set - how lucky, jealous tau!

Honestly I would love to see Patung Kertas produced on a bigger Vegas-like scale, with extravagant lighting, props, sound mixing and more realistic musicale air in it.

Jalal Hayati Watak Pondan Tua dalam 'Patung Kertas'
13-12-2007 10:39:51 AM
Oleh SITI AZIRA ABD AZIZ

SUDAH ramai aktor tempatan yang berani mengubah haluan lakonan mereka dengan memegang watak 'lelaki lembut'.

Sebelum ini, pelakon dan penyanyi Ahmad Azhar Othman atau Awie juga pernah melakonkan watak 'lelaki lembut' yang juga pereka fesyen bernama Sophie dalam filem "Apa Kata Hati" yang bakal ditayangkan pada tahun hadapan.

Mampukah Jalal melakonkan watak "lelaki lembut" dengan baik? (Foto The Star oleh Ricky Lai)

Selain Awie, pelakon utama filem "Waris Jari Hantu" Rusdi Ramli turut melakonkan watak tersebut sehingga berjaya menerima Anugerah Pelakon Lelaki Terbaik dalam Festival Filem Malaysia ke 20 lalu.

Kali ini, pelakon popular Datuk Jalaluddin Hassan atau lebih mesra dengan panggilan Abang Jalal yang biasanya melakonkan watak lelaki sejati itu menukar citarasanya untuk mengikut langkah Awie dan Rusdi dalam pementasan teater muzikal "Patung Kertas" pada Februari tahun hadapan.

"Masa mula-mula dapat tawaran untuk berlakon dalam teater ini saya tak fikir apa-apa pun dan tak tengok skrip.

"Tetapi setelah mendapat panggilan daripada produser yang mengatakan pengarahnya adalah Lokman Ghani terus saya bersetuju kerana beliau merupakan salah seorang pengarah teater yang terbaik di Malaysia.

"Seminggu selepas tu baru saya mendapat tahu skripnya melakonkan watak lelaki lembut," kata Jalal ketika sesi bergambar bersama pelakon yang lain di Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia semalam.

Teater muzikal "Patung Kertas" karya penulis skrip dan pengarah tersohor A.Wahid Nasir mengisahkan seorang lelaki bernama Arman atau Adik Chu lakonan Zuhairi yang memang disifatkan menjadi 'lembut' sejak kecil lagi.

Beliau merupakan anak yatim piatu yang kematian seorang ibu yang menderita penyakit barah darah yang kronik.

Selepas ibunya meninggal, Arman terpanggil untuk membuat kerja amal untuk membantu yayasan penyakit kronik dan kebetulan rapat dengan seorang penggiat seni dan peniaga butik, Hairol (Jalal) setelah beliau diselamatkan oleh Hairol atau Along dari serbuan polis.

Barisan 'Patung Kertas' yang pertama kali mementaskan kisah 'lelaki lembut' membuat pertunjukan amal.
(Dari kiri duduk: Zuhairi, Wafa, Jalal dan Along Faris)

Mereka berdua menubuhkan pasukan "patung kertas" untuk tujuan mengadakan persembahan amal bagi mengisi tabung yayasan penyakit kronik itu.

Sekian lama Arman memendam rasa pada Hairol namun demi persahabatan, dia terus membisu sehinggalah muncul Khairi (Along Faris) iaitu seorang pegawai bank yang menjadi ahli kumpulan "patung kertas" dan konflik semakin bertambah apabila muncul seorang gadis bernama Mariam (Rashidah Jaafar) dalam hidup Hairol.

"Sebagai pelakon, ini merupakan cabaran saya untuk memainkan watak lelaki lembut yang tak pernah dilakonkan sebelum ini. Perasaan saya berbaur dan bimbang kerana memikirkan samada saya boleh buat atau tidak.

"Namun saya percaya dengan skrip yang dihasilkan oleh Wahid ini saya dapat teliti dan halusi kehendak skrip itu dengan cara terbaik atas sokongan Lokman dan semua tenaga produksi.

"Lagipun saya pernah bekerjasama dengan Wahid sejak berbelas tahun dahulu dan bagi saya skrip cerita "Gerimis Salju" adalah antara skrip yang terbaik untuk dilakonkan," ujar Jalal yang berusia 54 tahun ini.

Jalal tertawa lucu melihat wajahnya setelah disolek tebal

Melihat Jalal memakai pakaian wanita dengan solekan tebal, rambut palsu dan bertumit tinggi, wajahnya nampak feminin sekali setelah didandan selama dua jam oleh jurusolek Ika Osman, Gina dan Lili dari Ika Frency.

"Cabaran saya adalah untuk menukar watak lelaki sejati kepada seorang lelaki lembut yang tidak tahu bagaimana dunia mereka secara sebenarnya.

"Tetapi sepanjang saya bercampur dengan golongan ini, saya dapat tahu serba sedikit tentang mereka dan hormati mereka sebagai mahluk Allah.

"Insya Allah, dengan bantuan mereka saya dapat lakukannya kerana boleh dikatakan saya selalu berjumpa dengan mereka pada sepanjang hari bekerja," ulas Jalal yang menjadikan jurusolek artis sebagai rujukan untuk memantapkan lakonannya nanti.

Beliau juga menggunakan peluang dan bertanya kemusykilan menghayati watak dengan merujuk kepada wartawan Syed Yusof Wafa yang turut buat penampilan khas sebagai Doni dalam teater ini.

Jalal disolek selama dua jam bagi mengubah wajah asalnya menjadi lebih feminin

"Setakat ini, keluarga saya belum tahu mengenai watak yang akan saya lakonkan ini. Saya sengaja tak bagi tahu mereka kerana nak bagi kejutan.

"Saya juga tak mahu canangkan kerana khuatir jika ia ibarat indah khabar dari rupa. Kalau mereka tahu selepas ini pun saya akan diamkan sahaja sehinggalah hari pementasannya nanti.

"Kalau mereka tahu mungkin mereka akan faham dan mereka selalu memberi sokongan yang jitu kerana ini adalah karier saya," jelas Jalal yang sudah lebih 20 tahun membabitkan diri dalam pementasan teater manakala bergiat dalam dunia seni lakonan sejak 30 tahun lalu.

Selain bakal sibuk dengan teater yang bakal dipentaskan di Pusat Pelancongan Malaysia nanti, beliau turut sibuk dengan pengambaran drama 26 episod "Noktah Dendam" arahan Rosli melalui usahasama Malaysia dan Indonesia.

"Saya yang memegang watak Mahadi sudah memulakan pengambaran di Pulau Langkawi bersama pelakon Datuk Aziz Sattar, Nisha Dir, Marisa, Jessy Lim dan pelakon lelaki dari Indonesia.

"Pada bulan Januari depan saya berada di Indonesia berkemungkinan selama empat hari untuk menjalani pengambaran bersama pelakon popular Indonesia, Roy Martin.

"Saya seronok mendapat tawaran ini dan bekerjasama dengan pelakon Indonesia kerana dari situ kita dapat menonjolkan disiplin kita dan cara kita berkarya.

"Diharap kita akan berada setaraf dengan pelakon mereka seperti pelakon hebat Roy Martin.

"Pertama kali ditemukan bersamanya dalam satu drama saya berasa teruja kerana saya meminatinya sejak dahulu lagi," kata Jalal mengenai drama yang dijangka siap pada bulan Mac akan datang.

Drama terbitan Double Vision Sdn. Bhd. ini berkisar perniagaan melibatkan seorang saudagar berlian yang mendapat persaingan dengan saudagar dari Indonesia untuk meneroka 'player' di Asia.

Selain dapat bekerjasama dengan pelakon Indonesia, Jalal juga pernah berlakon dalam drama "Tsunami" yang diarahkan oleh pengarah dari China dan drama tersebut bakal disiarkan oleh saluran CCTV di sana.

"Saya senang bekerja dengan pengarah tersebut kerana saya hanya perlu menggunakan bahasa Malaysia dan kefahaman dari segi ekspresi muka.

"Bagi saya disiplin penting dalam berlakon sebab dari situ produksi luar akan memerhati dan menilai cara kita bekerja," akhiri Jalal yang tidak kedekut untuk memberi nasihat dan tunjuk ajar kepada pelakon lain tentang disiplin diri.