THERE is much to be learned when one is involved in a theatrical production. It involves the planning, rehearsal, and presentation of a written book or script that evokes emotional intelligence; and provides an outlet for emotions and thoughts.
This was the experience Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC) students, who were involved in Aduni — a production staged by the Department of English Studies at the institution’s Faculty of Social Science and Humanities (FSSH), held from Aug 1 to 3 at its Kuala Lumpur Main Campus.
Written by poet Wong Phui Nam, Aduni is an adaptation of Euripides’ Medea — a Greek tragedy which tells of a wife’s calculated plan for vengeance against her unfaithful husband, part of which entails murdering her children.
Led by Mass Communication Diploma Year Two student Darminaa Uthayakumar and guided by the department’s lecturer, Mohd Fadli Zakaria, TAR UC’s production team presented a different, modern-day take, which centres around a 16-year-old girl named Aduni who is misunderstood and discriminated against.
“It was a valuable experience for me to learn how to direct a play,” said Darminaa when asked about her experience directing for the first time.
“After this, I intend to continue my journey in theatre and grow from there. If I am lucky enough, maybe this will become a fulfilling career.”
“I’m proud and honoured to be allowed to lead this wonderful production. It had not been an easy journey for there were many obstacles, but the main objective was to expose the students to the world of production especially to Malaysian writers, such as Wong,” said Fadli, who teaches subjects such as Fundamentals of Acting and Characterisation.
“Practising every day from 6pm to 9pm was tiring especially when we had assignments piling up, but we would not have changed anything,” added Sheryl Ho Xin Yi, the lead actress who played Aduni.
During the opening scene, the audience was transported to an eerie, green-hued scene at an abandoned school lavatory. Graffiti and rubbish littered around the stalls created an image which students were unfamiliar with.
The setting of the lavatory was chosen because school toilets are the place often associated with bullied misfits. It reflected Aduni, who was an outcast, a misfit who was not accepted in the school.
“We were impressed. What struck me most was that the actors were titans on stage. Each one of them was outstanding,” commented Nigel Morris-Cotteril, a member of the audience.
“Their hard work paid off. Sheryl’s Aduni was so intense and convincing that she left the audience feeling both anguished and unsettled,” said Umi Ilyana Kamaluddin, who also attended the play.
The playwright, Wong, attended the play on the final night of the theatre with his family. He took the time to share his thoughts with the director, cast and crew of the play. Even though the setting and treatment of the play differ from the original Aduni, Wong commented that directors, especially younger ones have the freedom to inject their interpretations into the play.
Aduni is the fourth instalment of the annual play produced by the faculty. It plans to continue its tradition of showcasing Malaysian productions, what more with the recently formed Department of English Studies.