ENTERTAINING AND EDUCATIONAL: The musical ‘Bumi Berlantai Permata III’ revisits the history and cultural origins of the state in a way that is guaranteed to mesmerise audiences
JOHOR BARU: HISTORY and performing arts lovers should not give the Bumi Berlantai Permata III (Bejewelled Land III) musical a miss.
This is because it will revisit the history and culture of Johor in a way that will mesmerise audiences.
The musical is part of the 9th JB Arts Festival 2012.
Festival executive director Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad said the musical takes viewers back to the reign of Sultan Abu Bakar in the 1860s.
It was a time when the sultan and his chief minister, Datuk Ja'afar Muhammad, used diplomacy and various strategies to ensure Johor's continued independence and the state's sovereignty.
It also shows how the Malays and Chinese merchants under the Kangchu system cooperated to transform Johor from a small fishing village into a thriving economy.
"The musical, which promotes patriotism and racial unity, is popular as it is into its third season," said Shahrir, who is also Johor Baru MP.
He added that the musical also touched on how economic growth, and law and order, coupled with the support of the people, helped Johor to resist attempts by British colonists to encroach into the state.
"This musical drama is informative.
"For example, you will know why the name of the capital of Johor was renamed Johor Baru from Tanjung Puteri and Iskandar Puteri previously.
"You don't have state capitals in Malaysia which echo the name of their states. You don't have Kelantan Baru, for example," said Shahrir.
He said this year's musical will also revisit certain characters and scenes from the previous stagings of Bumi Berlantai Permata in 2010 and last year.
"It is a reworking of the previous scripts," said Shahrir.
The musical is scheduled to be played at Bukit Timbalan, here, from Sept 26 to 29.
Tickets are priced at RM30 for adults and RM10 for students.
The play is co-written by Rahimah Muda and Suzie Yap.
It is directed by Dean Manas and Fairuz Embun.
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