Mak Cun’s adventures take her to the land of Bollywood, writes Tahir Alhamzah
KODIANG’S most enterprising and endearing woman will delight once again onstage at Istana Budaya early next month.
The affable, yet tenacious Mak Cun, further popularised through a successful TV series, is the brainchild of local entertainment heavyweight Erma Fatima, who also plays the titular heroine.
Joining Erma in the new production will be some cast members from the TV series, such as Datin Seri Umie Aida, Datuk Rahim Razali and Balkish Semundur Khan.
“We’re also delighted to be sharing the stage with other actors and actresses who are introduced for the first time in Mak Cun,” says Erma.
Local entertainment fans will be delighted to see Amy Search, Abam Bocey and Fathia Latiff in action here.
This will be the first appearance in a theatre production for both Abam (real name is Syed Umar Mokhtar) and Amy Search (Suhaimi Abdul Rahman).
HELLO INDIA
Titled Mak Cun D’Walei, this production has a Bollywood feel.
“The word Dilwale means big-hearted and that is exactly how the character Mak Cun is. She is always positive in her efforts to bring cottage industry products to the global platform,” says Erma, who is also the director of the stage production.
“This time, Mak Cun travels to India in search of the best recipe for curry powder for her home-grown brand.”
With that in mind, she flies to the subcontinent, accompanied by Manisah who insists on tagging along.
“There are many surprising elements onstage this time. I really hope that the audience will be happy and satisfied with this production even more than before,” says Erma.
About 70 per cent of the scenes depicted in the production will be of India. Since it’s a musical, people can expect lots of singing and dancing.
“In the scenes where the characters are supposed to be in India, there will be about 10 popular Hindi songs, from the past and present. Although you’ll see us acting and dancing a lot just like in Hindi movies, we’ll not be singing those numbers live,” says Erma.
However, the characters in Malaysia will be singing about 10 Malay tracks live.
The cast members are musically guided and directed by singer-composer Edry Abdul Halim of KRU fame who has rearranged some of the numbers chosen for Mak Cun D’Walei.
“I’m impressed with Edry’s commitment and ideas in ensuring that the songs chosen for the musical will be well-received by the audience,” says Erma.
NEW TO THEATRE
Amy will be playing himself, since that was part of the “contract” when Erma asked him if he would be interested to be a part of the cast.
The rocker will sing Kerja Gila and Aku Dah Bosan, aside from two other numbers which had been especially composed for the musical.
“I will perform a duet with Amy,” exclaims the excited Erma.
Meanwhile, Amy admits he is a bit nervous about his performance in the musical, as it has been quite a while since he last acted (the films Fenomena and Isabella were released in 1990).
“When Erma first asked me, I thought she was just joking. But when she kept asking, I knew she was serious. I accepted partly because she’s a friend, and partly because she said I could just be ‘myself’ in the musical,” he says.
If a rock star of his experience can have butterflies in the stomach for his role here, imagine what relatively newcomer Abam must be feeling as it’s his debut theatrical performance.
“Never before have I felt so small as compared to the day I went for the first meeting with the entire cast. Imagine working together with some of the country’s entertainment industry giants,” says the comedian.
“I not only have to memorise my lines, but I also have to dance. Imagine me dancing!” says Abam with a laugh.
FOREIGN STIMULUS
The comedian plays a spice merchant who returns to India after his business in Malaysia fails. There, he reunites with his brother (played by Pakistani actor Saim Ali).
“I’ll be saying my lines in Malay, he in English. I hope we don’t end up sounding like a duck and a chicken,” says Abam.
Yes, while the rest of the cast members are Malaysians, Saim will fly in all the way from Pakistan to be in the musical.
Erma says she simply Google-d and stumbled upon the profile of the young actor and model.
“Fortunately I have a friend in Pakistan. So I got my friend to contact him, and the handsome actor agreed to take the job here,” she says.
“I hope his good looks will attract many to come and watch him at Istana Budaya too.”
Mak Cun D’Walei
When: Nov 4-13, 8.30pm Additional 3pm show on Nov 12-13 (no show on Nov 9)
Where: Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya, KL
Tickets: From RM36 to RM256
Call 03-40265558 or visit www.airasiaredtix.com