Thursday, June 14, 2007
THEATRE performance is taking a step forward in the spotlight once again with the newly revived Rusila, the nation's acting association.
Rusila members took centre stage yesterday afternoon by organising a discussion of theatre drama held at the Sarmayuda Hall of the Language and Literature Bureau with an invited guest from Malaysia, Malik Abdul Hamid, or better known by his stage name, Kalam Hamidi.
Kalam Hamidi, in his 70s, has been in theatre arts since the 50s and is an expert in various fields of the art such as scriptwriting, directing and acting.
He graced the country with his stage presence in 1961 with two stage plays entitled "Keris Sempena Riau" and "Hang Jebat" held at the SOAS College Hall.
Members of Rusila began the event with a brief drama performance which started the discussion off with smiles and laughter. Chairing the discussion were Kalam Hamidi and chairman of the association, Pg Hj Mohd Don Pg Hj Besar.
Kalam Hamidi, with his theatrics, opened the discussion by stating that, "Nowadays, knowledge is considered to be someone holding a certificate or diploma. In theatre arts, experience is a more important asset to possess."
"They have to be more judicious in order to be good actors themselves," the veteran stage actor advised.
The veteran thespian also advised Rusila members: "In order to present a good drama or theatre, the actors have to be more articulate, passionate and composed."
He commented that the reasons why theatres have recently not improved is because writers tend to make the plots more abstract and perplexing.
It was revealed that an important asset to acquire when theatre acting is voice projection.
Casting is not made based on an individual's beauty and grace alone but the voice the individual projects to the crowd and how it captivates the audience.
Therefore, to deliver a good drama, their speech has to be clear and the audience has to be able to grasp the actors' passion.
Through the eyes of a director, an actor who memorises his script well is initially important because it is one aspect of acting that cannot be taught or trained, according to Kalam Hamidi.
He urged the members to uphold the strength of the association and not let money hold the association from coming up with projects and performances.
Rusila members aim to bring back the popularity of theatre acting as it was in the 50s.
They now have 50 members.
Hj Johari Pehin Dato Haji Omar, Rusila's spokesperson, said that the association also would not miss the opportunity to set up a play on July 16, in conjunction with His Majesty's upcoming birthday festivity.
The association will also stage an event called the "Caaaali 2007" championship competition on the same date.
The Brunei Times
Rusila members took centre stage yesterday afternoon by organising a discussion of theatre drama held at the Sarmayuda Hall of the Language and Literature Bureau with an invited guest from Malaysia, Malik Abdul Hamid, or better known by his stage name, Kalam Hamidi.
Kalam Hamidi, in his 70s, has been in theatre arts since the 50s and is an expert in various fields of the art such as scriptwriting, directing and acting.
He graced the country with his stage presence in 1961 with two stage plays entitled "Keris Sempena Riau" and "Hang Jebat" held at the SOAS College Hall.
Members of Rusila began the event with a brief drama performance which started the discussion off with smiles and laughter. Chairing the discussion were Kalam Hamidi and chairman of the association, Pg Hj Mohd Don Pg Hj Besar.
Kalam Hamidi, with his theatrics, opened the discussion by stating that, "Nowadays, knowledge is considered to be someone holding a certificate or diploma. In theatre arts, experience is a more important asset to possess."
"They have to be more judicious in order to be good actors themselves," the veteran stage actor advised.
The veteran thespian also advised Rusila members: "In order to present a good drama or theatre, the actors have to be more articulate, passionate and composed."
He commented that the reasons why theatres have recently not improved is because writers tend to make the plots more abstract and perplexing.
It was revealed that an important asset to acquire when theatre acting is voice projection.
Casting is not made based on an individual's beauty and grace alone but the voice the individual projects to the crowd and how it captivates the audience.
Therefore, to deliver a good drama, their speech has to be clear and the audience has to be able to grasp the actors' passion.
Through the eyes of a director, an actor who memorises his script well is initially important because it is one aspect of acting that cannot be taught or trained, according to Kalam Hamidi.
He urged the members to uphold the strength of the association and not let money hold the association from coming up with projects and performances.
Rusila members aim to bring back the popularity of theatre acting as it was in the 50s.
They now have 50 members.
Hj Johari Pehin Dato Haji Omar, Rusila's spokesperson, said that the association also would not miss the opportunity to set up a play on July 16, in conjunction with His Majesty's upcoming birthday festivity.
The association will also stage an event called the "Caaaali 2007" championship competition on the same date.
The Brunei Times