Tengku Iefizulasyrifie Putra Tengku Alaudin, the president of the Aswara Alumni Association, said the musical is the highlight of the academy’s Pearl Jubilee celebration, commemorating the 30th anniversary of Aswara’s founding as the country’s premier institution for the arts.
Inspired by the legendary “Hikayat Merong Mahawangsa”, the play is a modern interpretation of the life and journey of Merong Mahawangsa in establishing Kedah Zamin Turan, now known as the state of Kedah.
“The performance, which unites over 100 Aswara alumni from various faculties, was created to fulfil the vision of Aswara’s rector, Tan Awang Besar, who sought to bring the epic ‘Hikayat’ to the musical stage,” he said.
“This production is a reflection of Aswara’s enduring spirit, which has been dedicated to preserving and promoting the nation’s artistic and cultural heritage since its establishment in 1994.”
The show’s director, Mohd Sharul Mizad Asari, initially had concerns about taking on the responsibility of bringing the musical to life, given the short timeframe.
“It has been an extremely challenging process because, within just three months, we had to complete everything – from gathering alumni to creating the script,” he said.
“However, working under pressure often sparks more creative ideas, especially with the support of all parties to ensure everything runs smoothly.”
Actor A Aris Kadir, who plays the title character, shared his gratitude for the opportunity to return to the stage after a 15-year hiatus, during which he focused on behind-the-scenes work as a choreographer.
“When I had the chance to return to the stage, there were mixed emotions: excitement, fear… so many feelings. I never expected to be chosen for the lead role, as my initial goal was just to reconnect with the stage,” he told Bernama.
While this put him under tremendous pressure as he struggled to memorise the script, he added that it was ultimately manageable thanks to the support of everyone involved.
Meanwhile, actress Fiza Thomas shared her excitement about returning to the stage in a musical after her last appearance in “Ola Bola The Musical” in 2018.
“Being selected for this show felt like a dream come true. I’ve always been passionate about musicals; I was born into this world,” she shared.
“When I joined Aswara and studied traditional theatre and Mak Yong dance, it was already a form of musical theatre. It’s where I learnt to sing, dance, act, and fully express emotions in a performance.
“Previously, I worked as a TV actress, which is a very different experience. On stage, I feel something unique. It requires more emotion and immersion, and that’s what I truly love,” she said.
Other cast members include Ezdianie Hayatie, Hairi Safwan, Fadhli Masoot, Saiful Wazien, Amirul Hakim, Aznie, Mei Fen, Najua P Ramlee, Ewan Fauzi, Syrul Ezwan, Reza Mohamed, and Hafizam.
‘Sakti Merong Mahawangsa’
When:
Nov 22-24
Where:
Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah,
Sentul, Kuala Lumpur
Get your tickets here.