EVERGREEN Angeline Tan Yoke Yeah, 61, became a household name playing the girl-next-door character Lucy in popular TV3 sitcom Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu. That was more than two decades ago, and since then her acting career has grown from strength to strength.
The veteran actress from Kuala Lumpur is in the running for Best Chinese Drama Actress in the coming Anugerah Skrin 2019 (ASK 2019) on Nov 1, for her most challenging television role to date. And that is no-nonsense Nyonya matriarch Huang Feng Huang in the 30-episode drama series My Sensei Nyonya.
Shown on ntv7 early this year, it tells the story of a Peranakan Chinese family matriarch who is ruthless in defending her family’s honour.
“Feng Huang was a real challenge as she marked my first time playing someone two decades older,” said Tan at the launch of ASK 2019's award categories in De.Wan 1958 By Chef Wan Restaurant, Kuala Lumpur recently. Describing her character as a calm yet fearsome woman, Tan said she was heavily made up to look like a 70-something.
“I had to speak slowly and give penetrating stares to whoever I was talking to. I also had to walk with a slight hunch like an ageing matriarch would.”
But best of all, she got to don colourful, traditional Peranakan Chinese dresses and had her hair tied into a chignon, secured with silver hairpins. “I certainly looked terrifying in that costume, but I felt like an empress, too!”
Known primarily as a comedienne, Tan has appeared in various TV dramas and films over the years, among them Sembilu 2005, Bohsia 2: Jalan Pulang, KL Gangster 2 and Redha.
Two of her toughest roles have been as the no-nonsense chief inspector Geena in Datuk Yusof Haslam’s long-running police procedural drama series Gerak Khas on TV1, and senior gang member Sue, the mother of the villain Shark (Syamsul Yusof) in KL Gangster. “To date, I’ve starred in more than 30 Cantonese and Mandarin drama series on TV2, TV3 and ntv7,” she says.
My Sensei Nyonya won Choice Chinese Drama Series in Anugerah Drama Festival Kuala Lumpur (DFKL) last May.
“I was truly honoured and happy as it was my first DFKL win. Here's hoping that My Sensei Nyonya will do equally well if not better in ASK 2019,” said Tan, who will appear in the film Rumah Cahaya Salina in March 2020, and two telemovies, Postal Wayang Terakhir and Dia Abangku, at year's end.
Meanwhile, TV3 and TV9 group general manager for brand management and programming Siti Nurlisia Mohd Nadzri said “duo stars” will be the fresh, new approach in hosting ASK 2019, which will take place at the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) in Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur at 9pm.
She said: “Twelve household names will be co-hosting the two-hour awards show, in pairs. Our new approach is specially to give as many popular celebrities, especially award winners and star couples, a chance to shine.”
The six pairs are actor Zizan Razak and actress Nabila Huda Suhaimi, ASK 2018 co-hosts Elly Mazlein and Shuk Sahar, and husband-and-wife celebrities Zain Saidin and Rozita Che Wan, Shuib and Siti Sarah Raissuddin, Azad Jasmin and Eira Syazira, and Shaheizy Sam and Syatilla Melvin.
“As they always say, the more the merrier. Furthermore, it will take away the pressure from the usual pair of one-man and one-woman team.” Siti Nurlisia also said that the entertainers for the evening will also come as “duos”. Pop legend Datuk Jamal Abdillah will duet with rising star Sissy Imann, while popular duet partners Ernie Zakri and Syamel Fodzly and Dayang Nurfaizah and Hael Husaini will serenade with their popular hits.
“Ayda Jebat will team up for the first time with Santesh, while popular magician troupe The Madgicians will also take centrestage to present some of their latest tricks. Also performing are Boojae and his dance troupe Zeppo Youngster Crew with their energetic modern dances, and a comedy sketch featuring Ebby Yus, Issey and Zizi Kirana. Andi Bernadee is the sole solo act for the evening.”
As for the award categories, there will still be 30, namely 14 drama categories, nine technical categories and seven film categories.
The drama categories are Best Drama, Best Drama Director, Best Drama Screenplay, Best Drama Editing, Best Drama Actor, Best Drama Actress, Best Drama Supporting Actor, Best Drama Supporting Actress, Best Malay Drama Series, Best Chinese Drama Series, Best Drama Series Actor, Best Drama Series Actress, Best Comedy Drama and Best Drama Videography.
The technical categories are Best Magazine, Best Reality Show, Best Documentary, Best Talk Show, Best Special Report, Best Entertainment Programme, Best Awards Programme, Best Set Design and Best Montage.
The film categories are Best Film, Best Film Screenplay, Best Film Director, Best Film Actor, Best Film Actress, Best Film Supporting Actor and Best Film Supporting Actress.
The winners of seven categories namely Best Set Design, Best Montage, Best Documentary, Best Talk Show, Best Special Report, Best Entertainment Programme and Best Awards Programme will be announced on TV3 entertainment programme Melodi at noon on Sunday.
Siti Nurlisia said: “As in the previous years, we have welcomed dramas, telemovies and films from television stations other than those under Media Prima, namely from RTM and Astro. Every station has an equal chance of winning. In every category, there is a healthy balance of Media Prima shows from TV3, ntv7, 8TV and TV9 and those from RTM and Astro.”
She said that the television stations which screened the various nominees had always played a key role in picking them for ASK. “We honour good performances in ASK, but the main 'heroes' whom we pay tribute to are the films, dramas and telemovies and the entire teams that create them.”
RED CARPET
A total of 17 telemovies, 11 films and 10 drama series are competing in the awards.
Produced and broadcast live by TV3, ASK 2019 is sponsored by Nivea and supported by radio stations Hot FM and Kool FM. Its executive producer is Tengku Shahilawati and its producer is Shahrizan Razali.
Half an hour before the live show, there will be a Red Carpet event where the attendees will be interviewed by co-hosts Sean Lee and Nina Nadira. Visit www.xtra.com.my for details.
Below are the dramas, telemovies and films in the running for various awards.
Best Drama
Neraka Kasih Maisarah
Bebaskan Anak Kita
Titi Kayu
Restu Ayah
Terima Kasih Ibu
Remuk
Samad Tedung
Wakaf Dosa
Batik Zakiah
Sirna
Batin Aram-Aram
Di Sisi
Detektif Kemon
Dia Tidak Berdosa
Lalang
Telingkah
Sesekali
Best Film
Paskal
Gol Dan Gincu Vol 2
One Two Jaga
Polis Evo 2
Hantu Kak Limah
Operasi X
Misteri Delaila
Munafik 2
Tujuh
Tiada Tajuk
Langsuir
Best Drama Series (Malay)
Leftenan Zana
Kamar Kamariah
Nur 2
Pia
Aku Yang Kau Tinggalkan
Sara Kirana
Best Drama Series (Chinese)
The Promise
Super Mischievous Mil
Sweet Delicacy
My Sensei Nyonya