KUALA LUMPUR: Award-winning producer, actress, singer and arts advocate, Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina, adds another role to her creative belt — that of director — in her latest mission to add festive flair to this year’s Citrawarna 2015 mega event.
“I’ve always seen myself as more of a producer but one who works very closely with whoever is directing a show to provide a sort of check and balance,” she said of her gradual progress into the director’s seat during a phone interview yesterday.
Tiara, who founded the production company Enfiniti Vision Media, added: “So I’m pretty used to playing a creative role in all the shows we’ve been doing.”
It was during the time of the restaging of the much celebrated P. Ramlee: The Musical in Kuching, Sarawak back in 2013 that Tiara first got the idea to helm a production herself.
“I was trying to get Melissa Saila to direct that edition at the time and she threw the question back at me which got me thinking,” she said.
Melissa ended up directing the project but since then, Tiara has been waiting for the right opportunity to direct.
Not one to shy away from any big challenge, the 47-year-old creative dynamo has taken on the task of presenting a brand new and refreshed world class event for Citrawarna, which is slated on Oct 17 at Dataran Merdeka.
After 16 years of being presented as a three-hour long parade, this year’s Citrawarna, organised by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, will be situated on a large purpose-built stage.
Tiara, who is also curator for the show, added that it will be in line with her vision to present something that reflects the best of Malaysian tourism and cultural products and events, all in an entertaining, informative, pacey, seamless and spectacular way.
Citrawarna 2015 will be delivered in 3 acts promoting different segments of tourism products, following the theme of Culture, Nature and Future, done via non-stop performances.
Some of the celebrities involved include Datuk Aznil Nawawi, Amelia Henderson, Altimet and Kamrul Bahri Hussin.
There will also be a segment featuring a range of top Malaysian designers, from Melinda Looi and Zang Toi to Rizman Ruzaini and Rubaq Batik, who will be showcasing the latest local couture.
“This is such a massive undertaking that involves over 600 performers and a giant stage the size of half a football field.”
“The pressure is on but I like the challenge since it makes me look at the bigger picture and gets me and my team to work even harder and better,” she said.
The free event, which is open to the public, will also showcase dazzling lighting, sound and music, supplemented by giant LED screens.
Tiara revealed that the show will be very theatrical, dramatic and uplifting with all the elements gelling together with an exciting storytelling aspect that has never been done before in Citrawarna.
“Even the annual fireworks display will be incorporated into the story so nothing that happens during the event is random,” she says.
Tiara explained that her intention for the show is to get Malaysians to come out and celebrate.
“My personal wish is to get Malaysia to celebrate once again.”
“I think we need to neutralise all the negative energy that has been plaguing us for the past years and hopefully this will be able to lift the spirits of Malaysians,” she said.
Over 10,000 people are expected to attend the mega event, 800 of which will be invited guests from the tourism industries around the world, including foreign bloggers and journalists.
Citrawarna 2015
When: Oct 17, 6pm-11pm
Where: Dataran Merdeka, KL.
Admission is free.
For more visit: www.tourism.gov.my