ARENA PENTAS 2018

I am personally a fan of this series. If done properly that is. 

Pentas Karyawan Arena Pentas returns for its 5th instalment. This time with the theme "Zon" (Zoned). The members are again tasked to write, direct, perform and produce 5 playlets regarding the theme while exploring absurdist theatre styles. If you have been following the series over the years so far, this instalment will surprise you.

KRAYON

Written and Directed by : Nur Ferra Amiera
Performed by : Sarah Mardyah Haermie / Nur Amirah Suhaimi

In a monochrome world, 2 ladies found a wishing well where their wishes can come true, at a price. They wished for the world to be in colour, but at what price?

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MAINAN FIKIRAN

Written by : Zhakeerah D/O Sadiqul Ameen, Nursyirin Salim
Directed by : Nursyirin Salim
Performed by : Aliff Shah Ramli, Nursyirin Salim, Malyanah Moktar, Aizatul Azerina Sazali

We've seen this kind of "good and evil being" stories many times. When I first read the script, I was reminded of cartoons. An image of Mickey Mouse with Good Mickey and Bad Mickey floating above both his shoulders. It's very cliche. I challenged the members to make it different. And they did, without changing the "good and bad beings" idea. You got to watch it to find out.

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KEWUJUDAN

Written and Directed by :Aizatul Azerina Sazali
Performed by : Md Nor Hisyam, Nur'Atiqah Kameri, Nadhilah Zaidi

The playwright aims to explore ideas on existence. Are we real? Or are we just a reflection of something else? Are our feelings, happiness, materials, properties, beings, real? Or are we just a figment of some imagination? Will they all dissipate or returned to its owner, if there is an owner. Or will everything just disappear? Or everything continues as it is in permanence?

But how do you put all these ideas into a 12 minute playlet which can be easily understood by the general audience? Lucky for her, this year's Arena Pentas' genre is "Absurd Theatre". Her ideas are possibly almost endless but remember, we have to keep it simple for the "general audience". 

So how did she go about doing it?

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AGUNG

Written and Directed by : Nur Syafiqah Kamarudin
Performed by : Siti Hajar Zahid, Nurul Hikmah Zulkifli, Md Arif Shariff, Nur Diyanah Ahmad Khalifa, Nur Syafiqah Kamarudin, Md Nor Hisyam

3 statues stands in the middle of a bustling town, each with its own set of devotees. 

At night when the residents of the town goes to sleep, the statues come alive and discuss amongst themselves, what have they done to deserve the adulation of their devotees and what should they do next. Should they answer their prayers or remain silent and enjoy the constant requests.

One day, the town's leader decided to put the most powerful statue on the highest pedestal in town. So which one is the most powerful statue?

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SANG MANA

Written and Directed by : Nuri Haqirah Hazmi
Performed by : Nuri Haqirah Hazmi, Nuri Hafiqah Hazmi, Ainin Alfiyani Jailani, Nurulashiqin Asrin

3 princes from the empire of "Sikat Kuning Langsat" travels to a faraway land in search for their suitor. They found themselves a castle "Istana Lopong Tengah" where a princess resides. The princess agree to be married to one of them. The 3 of them has to go through challenges to win her heart. 

​So who wins?


Very interesting right? So do come and have a look. It's free anyway. I would definitely keep all these plays in record as all of them has potential for further restage works.