KUALA LUMPUR: Veteran actress and theatre director Fauziah Nawi’s recently-staged play Kembang Layarku has been in the news for the “wrong” reason.
One of its scenes involved a dramatic dance where an actress hummed “jeng jeng jeng” all the way, and Netizens have been tickled silly after watching it on YouTube.
The video showed some actors and musicians from the staging of Kembang Layarku entertaining the hosts of TV1 talk show Selamat Pagi Malaysia aired in July, as part of Fauziah’s promotion of the play back then.
Netizens felt that the dance was “mengarut” (nonsense) and seemed to imply that the young actress was being possessed by evil spirits.
Nevertheless, some of them defended it, reasoning that it was an artistic expression by a reputable theatre company — Fauziah’s Sanggar Teater Fauziah Nawi (Stefani).
“It’s a poetic expression, and a patriotic one, judging by the salutations which the performers give at the end,” said a Netizen identified as Joan.
Fauziah in her Facebook posting said that she was not offended by the criticism received.
In fact, she said it was the “strange” dance that helped publicise Stefani’s works and make Malaysians take notice of the aspiring actors she had guided over the years.
“Our play has been staged a few times, most recently in July, where tickets were sold out in three days.
“I’m surprised that many people are attracted to the dance, but even if they don’t have nice things to say, I consider it good publicity, at least more people get to know about our productions,” she added.
Fauziah, who hosted Selamat Pagi Malaysia in the 1980s, said the dance may look all funny, but the play was mostly serious.
“It’s loaded with emotions, and like all good plays, it’s a social commentary. We may restage it and hope more people will give their support.”