Backstage and preparatory shots... The untold story!
In any theater presentation, the audience is often awed and held in utter fascination by the going-ons of the stage. However, not many realise that what has been put on stage was only a small fraction of the effort that has been going on backstage... It is not unlike a thread in a well-woven cloth: people see the cloth, but rarely appreciate the strands of thread that give it substance. Here is a dedication to the untold story of Anike...
The playwright, Wong Phui Nam, talking to our makeup artist, Henry, who also plays the Hanger-on. In the background is Jin-jin (Yasmine) while Sir Jayaram is in the makeup chair. This photo was taken in USM.
Setting up the stage at Soka-Gakkai Malaysia hall in KL. The poles were the foundation for the huge flags that became the backdrop for the show. Fully extended, these were nearly 10 feet tall.
My daughter D-Ha, teasing out the creases of the huge flags that were to become the backdrop for the Corrupt Kingdom...
My wife Maiza with the selection of weapons that were used in Anike. From left to right: Queen Wanang Seri's knife (with a small jar of stage blood near it), the "Sheena Monterio" sword - unused, Anike's dagger (unsheathed and sheathed), the Hanger-on's parang, a backup keris for King Maniaka, the 2nd guard's parang, 2 backup kerises, Nadim's royal keris, the Guard's sundang, the Bendahara's keris and the Messenger's sword (only the scabbard is visible). King Maniaka's actual keris is slightly visible on the chair to Maiza's right, with his helmet.
Me and wife with Jayaram Menon, who plays King Maniaka, the corrupt sovereign in Wong Phui Nam's Anike. Maniaka's costume was the most elaborate, and he became a favourite of audiences for post-show photo shoots! 
Maiza with our Assistant Director Fadzrina and her sister Fariza, who plays Queen Wanang Seri. Although her role is minimal, her costume remains one of the most elaborate on the set.
More photos of the production will be posted as I receive them... So send them in, QUICK!
posted by Alang at 7:03 PM
4 Comments:
Yeah Yeah! More preparatory pics please...
Too bad... I can't find any photos of Anike in my camara...really shame-shame. I need to depends on u guys to provide me the memoirs.
master costumer alang, thank you again for the costumes that maniaka wore.the improvement from the august show was significant.my body wrap was a single piece and so less likely to slip down by the end of the play.the helmet , too, where the cheek piece showed more of the face was , i felt, an extension of my head!
the ring gave me an added dimension of authority.i tried to work it into the dialogue with nadim- but couldn't decide on the proper time.a few more performances--and maybe i would get it..
even the wrist chain on the left hand gave a contrast to the finger ring on the right hand.i imagined that it was from the Permaisuri.
The keris i wielded in scene 1 and 2 and the cave scene.here i project the power of the state.when the scenes become personal, there is no keris and its maniaka the human.
the crown i wear always until i have no one to give it to.
the costume , once worn, transforms me into maniaka completely.
i appreciate the effort taken to bring the costume from design to reality and practicality.
i hope i get to wear your stuff in future productions...
jaymen.
To May:
Anyone with pics, please send them in!
To Henry:
It's OK, Henry... We've got lots of photos online!
To Jaymen:
My humblest gratitudes, sire... I am but a servant, not alike the Ainur who played their unimaginable music at the command of Illuvatar... It is He who deftly guides my mind and my hands to accomplish such feats as the creation of thy kingly garb as Maniaka... I, too, hope that there will be other future productions that will require my service...
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