PGL enthrall yet again

First published in New Sunday Times
22 February 2008

PGL enthralls yet again



Returning for a third season, Puteri Gunung Ledang: The Musical continues to draw the crowd. It also marks the swan song of Tiara Jacquelina in the titular role, writes MAX KOH

DATIN Seri Tiara Jacquelina as Gusti Putri in Putri Gunung Ledang: The Musical — for the fourth time, the first being in the film directed by Saw Teong Hin, and the rest on stage — is still a wonder to behold. The diminutive diva must be proud to have seen the franchise grow from strength to strength throughout the years.

The first two seasons drew more than 50,000 people, garnered rave reviews and bagged numerous BOH Cameronian Awards. Putri Gunung Ledang revitalised the local musical theatre scene in Malaysia. Not bad for a venture which began as a humble ambition to put up a world-class musical theatre.

However, this season is bittersweet for Jacquelina. Having been the producer of the film and then its theatrical reincarnations, she is saying goodbye to the titular role she’s held for about six years.

So, today, watching her swan song as Putri was an enthralling experience. The ease with which she slipped into the character and her commanding presence kept me glued to my cushioned seat.

She infused the character with a quiet beauty and graceful mastery, transformed the character from a naive, love-struck princess at the beginning to an angry, jilted lover in the end.

Her soulful vocals were as amazing as her dancing was graceful.

But Jacquelina is but one integer in the sum that adds up to a wonderful play.

Onstage is a very capable cast — the hunky Stephen Rahman-Hughes as Hang Tuah, A.C. Mizal as Majapahit king Gusti Adipati, and Adlin Aman Ramlie as Sultan Mahmud.

Having neither watched the film nor the previous two seasons, I was completely blown away.

Set in the 15th Century, the musical starts with a scene in the kingdom of Majapahit, where King Gusti Adipati is up against a possible coup from Demak. Meanwhile, his sister Gusti Putri prays for a man who would win her heart.

Along comes an entourage led by Admiral Hang Tuah and the pair falls in love.

When Majapahit is threatened by a coup, Adipati turns to Sultan Mahmud of Malacca for help. Sultan Mahmud agrees, in exchange for Gusti Putri’s hand in marriage.

But Gusti Putri and Hang Tuah have vowed themselves to each other. When Hang Tuah is sent to Demak for peace talks, Putri escapes to Gunung Ledang to wait for her lover.

Hang Tuah is then sent to Gunung Ledang to claim the princess’ hand in marriage for the Sultan. The princess in her rage sends out seven impossible conditions for Sultan Mahmud, including a bowl of his son’s blood. It all culminates in a tragic climax.

Under the direction of Datuk Zahim Albakri, the many characters were fleshed out wonderfully.

Rahman-Hughes more than impressed with his hunky good looks and amazing vocals. He really got into character. A.C. Mizal seemed to enjoy playing his character, Adipati.

Adlin shone when he burst unexpectedly into a cabaret-dancing Sultan that floored the audience. And Ida Mariana shone despite her brief stage time as Bayan, Gusti Putri’s nanny. She gave a gutsy performance.

Adding magic to the production was the wonderful set by Raja Maliq which made good use of stupas to transport us back to the 15th Century Majapahit. It was really breathtaking to see how they managed to change the scenes by just pushing the stupas around the stage.

Dick Lee’s wonderful musical score under the direction of Roslan Aziz truly brings the musical to life. By combining Eastern influences in its Broadway-style music (big choruses and melodious anthems), they have come up with a soundtrack that brings out the spirit of the show.

This season has also seen the inclusion of optical illusions which made the musical more mystical. Coupled with fireworks, it was an eye-opening experience to see characters appearing and disappearing into thin air onstage. I thought it was a cool inclusion in a musical play.

I do have minor gripes such as some technical glitches throughout the show, and a tiny wardrobe malfunction but these didn’t detract me from ngenjoying a terrific show.

Last day to catch Puteri Gunung Ledang: The Musical, brought by Enfiniti Productions Sdn Bhd, at Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur. Call 03- 40265558.