a nerd's tale

Greetings homo sapiens of planet Earth. It is I, Illia, a fellow Nerdling of the Nerds Gone Nuts crew updating you all on our adventure to the land of the Gardens. We come in peaces >:3

^___^ Don't worry I won't write like that.
Baaasically we went out for a social gathering to wrap up and leave the memoirs of our short+sweet 2009 days in our hearts *haha*
Well, we went to the Gardens, to watch an awesome movie called Aliens in the Attic (its actually quite amusing, the concept of a house war against invading aliens with potatoes and fireworks as attack weapons caught my heart--its any creative child's dream of conjure up a game like that <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="">


Yess... (the lead boy reminds me of that korean singer from that famous korean boyband. Anyone know what i'm talking about?)

ANYWAYS.

What i really found dissappointing about this movie, is how a fellow Nerd (Tom, Nick, John... I forgot his name. That brown haired boy in the movie) doesn't appreciate and the gift of having such a brilliant brain. And that it took an alien invasion to realise that *sighs*. Our kind really need to wake up!

Due to the unfortunate lack of pictures related to this very day (a couple of sundays ago) i drew pictures to illustrate the happiness that leaked from everyone's eyes and ears from seeing each other or just me cuz i get lonely at home with my sewing machine

So please lie to me and tell me the cartoons are cute and funny ^^v these were drawn just now after sahor. Lalala. I tried to make it look more pro by editing it on photoshop. But that kind of failed as well... Lala~

LETS START ^__^

As per any outing, we all went down to Paddington Pancakes to fill our tummies with pancake yumminess, dipped in sunshine and coated with happy frosting.



:]

and then we went for the movie.
At SIGNATURE.
WAH

ITS SO BEAUTIFUL.
I love that place. Its just so... *takes my breath away*
But it's very cold. T___T

One particular time of the movie that really stuck to this humongous (full of air) brain of mine was Suhaili's laughter to Mr Hoffman's happy face slapping;



^___^''

After the movie, Janice, Fadzli and I had to sign May Jean's birthday card as her birthday was going to be the next day, SO.



We went into the Lego shop and signed the card >:3 how conspicuous not sure that is the most appropriate word for that sentance but it makes me look like i have an impressive vocabulary.

and when we presented the card and crocs to May Jean.
The happiness just LEAKED so much it left a puddle of smiles everywhere



Then we walked around.
Where i witnessed David's Dick van Dyke shoe clapping move

[ahhh yes i pretty much failed to draw this]

and that was pretty much it!

It was fun.

I love my nerd gang.

I wish i could go buka puasa at the taipan studio on Saturday...

T___T

I wanna take latin.

T___T

power of parents can be so unjust

On a brighter note, with my new friend teh sewing machine, i created a quilted apron.
I can't remember how many times i've said this already, but i am very proud of it.



T__T the annoyance of not bearing a functional camera is really getting on my nerves.


Hmmm... Well. That is all i bring today ^^
Be happy guys! Stay strong! Don't let the fasting month interfere with your PASSION for dance and drama

I'm making a movie-list that i plan on purchasing from now until death do i part with these movies... Looking at the list depresses me.

my gcse results are out today. someone kidnap me and take me away to an island faraway called hawaii where i will have no clue that it is hawaii and think that there is not internet access so i couldn't possibly find out my results. But this isn't why the blogpost is overwhelmingly happy. That's just... me... X___X

TAIPANSTUDIO+NAIM+FADZLI <3 data-blogger-escaped-br="">

Okay i'm going to sleep now. I feel the sleep coming back.

BYE EVERYONE! HAVE A NICE DAY!
And don't forget to greet the sun, she told me she feels unappreciated.

-illia
the one that simply excels in BM >:3

BIG Thank You!

Short+Sweet Malaysia will like to thank all participants, supporters and friends of the festival. Thank you for helping to make this festival a blast!

We look forward to a bigger festival next year, and remember to keep us in mind. Feel inspired to write, act, direct, dance, choreograph (sing and compose)? Start cracking now and get set to send your applications to us next year!

If you have any feedback or comment you would like us to know, do send it to michelle@klpac.org. Your opinions matter and are vital for us to improve.

Thank you once again! Short+Sweet rockzzz!

From,

Michelle (stage manager)

From the stage manager...again

Hello all,

I'm finally back at my desk, with time to pen this entry.

Firstly, thanks to all contributors who have written your thoughts in this blog, it is good to see that in some ways, S+S has made an impact in each of your lives. Some of us are probably reeling from what I would call PPS, Post-Production Syndrome. Symptoms include, sense of loss, restless, wanting to just park ur a** in klpac, finding reasons to come by klpac or hang out with ur group mates. Yeah, for me too, all of a sudden, I got no one to yell at. Bummer. (Kidding!)

It has been a great ride for the past 4 weeks. Ultimately, I enjoyed working with you guys at the end of the day, as tiring as it had been. Not just the cast, but the crews and techs. Thank you for bearing with my sometimes bruttish/snappish ways at backstage. I apologize if I did not get to know all of you better during your stay in Pentas2. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for each of you as you brought your own quirky personalities to S+S, making life at backstage, a much more interesting S+S drama of its own.

There is a need to mention the names of the people who have worked so closely with me. They are: Avril, my trusted eyes and ears onstage & also my reliable assistant (when I wanted to skip doing paper work :P), love you to bits for that! ; Reuben, my other trusted assistant who has unloaded a lot of my workload in S+S Theatre; Boy, the person I can turn to for advice; Alia, the sometimes-give-me-heart-attack-props-crew, thanks for the pot in Beans, really made me laugh; Aqilah, book-worm-turned-funkster-turned-hippy-joke-cracker, you rock with all your randomness; Shafie, the sound tech that is always hoping I give him a later call-time, thanks for the MJ songs; Mazlan, the lighting guy who is always so accomodating, thanks for lighting up the stage and putting up with my voice over the cans; Shahrul, for helping me open/close doors; and Gabby, for just being you & making me smile, for personal favours like taking my jacket, also included is sweeping up confetti for Dance Week 1 every night as well :) Thank you to all, from the deepest crevice of my heart.

Many thanks to The People Above Me: Faridah, Joe, Sesha, Ashraf. Thank you firstly for giving me the opportunity to undertake this massive festival. Thank you for the faith and patience you have with me, despite my multiple shortcomings. I would not be able to do it better without your guidance.

All right, I think that's all coming from me.

Closing it off, for the final bow,

Your stage manager,

Michelle

My Swan Song for S+S 09

79. 22. 10

Out of 79 entries, 22 plays were shortlisted for Short + Sweet Malaysia '09. From the 22, 2 of the plays were written by me. I pulled one of the plays out because of technical reasons, and the other play "Poo By Any Other Name Smells As Bad" was chosen to be in the top ten showcased in the gala night.

Considering the odds, I should be grateful. And you have no idea how extremely grateful I am. But this entry is not an exercise in self-glorification or sentimentality. Rather, it's just a show of appreciation for the things that I have learned and experienced throughout this year's S+S.

Last year, when my over-idealized concept of a play was not shortlisted for S+S, I was disappointed to say the least. This year, I found out about the call for entries on Tuesday, I wrote my first play "Monsters" on Wednesday, I wrote "Poo.." on Thursday, and the deadline was on Friday. So, I didn't have much expectations for them to be shortlisted. Surprisingly, I got an email from Faridah on my birthday of all days, that both of my plays were shortlisted.

To cut a long story short, it was a crazy, long ride to the gala night. The drama, the anxiety, the stress, and the very expensive cab rides (the new meter is crazy, yo!), and it all culminated in the gala night.

I had no expectations of winning. The night before the gala night, I was all prepared for my play to be on its final run. Of course, to the credit of my director, Tuna Lim (who is an absolute genius for turning the script into something I couldn't even imagine), and my cast, Gordon and Season (two very talented actors), they have done their absolute best, but I have from the beginning thought that my script was quite flimsy. So, getting into the gala night was an accomplishment in itself.

The gala night I enjoyed. All the performances were brilliant and deserved to be in the top ten. Creme de la creme. The ones that I enjoyed the most (in no particular order) : Waiting for Godot Too (good writing but somehow the cast's energy that night was a little bit down), Faith (Stellar performance from the actor, who's a nice person too), Unsaid (A subject that applies to any relationship, but I could do without the gay stereotypes), Baby, baby (Again, superb performance - plus, I'm slightly crushing on Claudia ;p ), The Junction (Excellent writing but for some reason Glamorique's OTT performance that night that wasn't present the other nights was a bit off-putting), Allah (Most deserving of the win. Subtle but strong!), and Fuckin' Food (I enjoyed the very true-to-reality conversation but I could never stomach the graphic scenes at the end. I'm a prude that way). The other plays were good too but I just enjoyed some more than others.

The prizes went to the right people and I'm happy that I was lucky enough to be amidst their company. Funny thing is, when the shortlist of 22 plays selected for S+S 09 was posted on the website, and I Googled the names of every writer on that list, I somehow made a mental note that Adiwijaya was going to be the guy to beat. It turns out that I'm some kind of a psychic. Anyways, congratulations to everyone who won. You guys rock!!

But one thing I regret is that I didn't take the opportunity to get to know the people involved in S+S better. Not because I'm a snob (I have no reason to be), but because I was self-conscious and quite shy to approach you guys. I wish I had, though. To the people that I did talk to - Adeline, Geraldine, Fasyali a.k.a Vitamin, Fiona, Kamaruzzaman, Min Li, Esnani, Lvynn, and Akmar - it was really nice to have met your acquaintance and hope to see you again next year.

Also, thank you to the production team of S+S 09. To Faridah and Joe, thank you for welcoming me into the world of theatre. To Michelle, Avril, Reuben, Seysha, Shafiee and the others whose names I didn't quite catch, you guys are amazing and I love you to bits!

And of course, thank you to Skyler, Eddy, Adeline (the weekend Goth), Tuna, Gordon and Season. Thank you for completing my Short + Sweet experience this year. Love, kisses, and hugs.

Till next year, folks!

P/S: This is my last entry in this blog, at least for this year. For further rants, please click here (LOL! Shameless self-promotion)

Love Always,
Indra Irwan
Self-proclaimed Diva and as Seysha puts it, a bitch.

Heartfelt Thank You

by: Nandang Abdul Rahman ("Unsaid")

The theater run has been completed!

The joget lambak all done!

The winners have been announced!

The after show cast party all done with!

All that is left is to recover from the post-production blues.

Being the somewhat aspiring writer, what better way to work out my post-production blues by ranting on a blog :-p

It has been a wonderful experience, from day one, to be part of the Short + Sweet 2009 Festival. I have lost count the number of emotional roller coaster experiences that I have personally gone through in the duration of the festival but I can assure you that it was a lot. Being a newbie at the game meant that I really was not sure and can’t stop doubting myself if I wasn’t in over my head with all of it.

Meeting the director selected for my piece and starting discussions on the piece now seems so far away but I still remembered how nervous I was on that day. Other than one or two minor script changes, I was practically left in the dark as to how the piece was progressing as my director requested that the writer not be in any of the rehearsal sessions. In hindsight, I applaud his choice as it allowed him greater freedom to interpret my words without having me hovering over it like a worried mother. However, it didn’t stop me from occasionally overhearing the dialogue I wrote being rehearsed whenever I was at klpac in the past 2 months. It was really strange to be standing in front of the Indicine and suddenly hearing a stray snippet of something that I recognized coming from somewhere in the building and realizing that they were actually the lines that I wrote months ago being rehearsed.

Opening night of Week 2 was a whole other ball game! Having not seen the full production before, I was a ball of nerves before the doors opened. Once the lights dimmed and the plays started, my anticipation levels keep rising and rising until my play’s turn came on for the first night.

And then it happened.

A dream on paper made manifest on stage.

And I could have not asked for a better team to make it a reality.

As the writer of the piece, I was afraid if my jokes were too lame or that my pop references were too self-indulgent or that lines were too corny. With every reaction from the appreciative crowd, I was put more at ease that it seems that my fears were unfounded. I have to admit that I had tears in my eyes during that first night’s performance especially once the play reached the end. By the way folks, I had nothing to do with how the play ended after the last line of the play was delivered. That was all from the brilliance of my director who ended the play so much better that I could have ever imagined it.

Someone asked me how I could sit through the full show on every night that Short+Sweet Week 2 was on. To be honest, I do cherish hearing the audience reactions to the piece and taking my curtain call at the end every night. But more importantly, I wanted to watch my dream unfold on stage and feel the rush of excitement as many times that I could. Blame it on my insecure, self-doubting self that worries it might be the only chance that I would get my 15 minutes of fame. Nevertheless, to hear my name called out, to take the curtain call with the great team that put my words on stage and hearing the roar of the appreciative audience was an experience that I would never soon forget.

It would never have happened if it were not for the people that I would want to take the opportunity and thank here.

To Joe & Faridah … thank you for providing us with the opportunity of exploring our creative sides through the Short + Sweet festivals. I could have not asked for a better welcoming and safe environment or occasion to stretch my neck out at trying to attempt at being a play writer. S+S 2009 at klpac will forever be remembered as the place that I dared and did something that I have always wanted to do.

To Kelvin … there is nothing left unsaid :-D You took my words and made them magical night after night. You always said that if it was not for the script, you wouldn’t have the great piece but I think you’re selling yourself short on that buddy! You are much better than you give yourself credit for.

To Hunter & Rushdan … I couldn’t ask for a better cast. You brought your own personalities and inflections to the characters to enrich the piece. I will be looking forward to see what you do in the future as you both definitely have bright futures ahead.

To the S+S Stage Management team … Michelle & Avril … you guys rock every night for the past month! All that hard work is greatly appreciated. Now go get some proper rest!

To friends and family that came to support us … hard to list them all but every comment and feedback received is greatly appreciated. You have been a wonderful audience for us to have the honor to entertain.

Last but not least, to my own “Ernie” … thank you for believing in me even when I could not see how I can do it and for being my muse. I hope that you love your 1st anniversary gift.

All that needs to be said has been said.

There is nothing else left unsaid.

Thanks for listening.

See y’all next year in Short+Sweet 2010.

B: Good night, Ernie

E: Good night, Bert

Thank You!

a post by aminda faradilla

I find it almost difficult to breathe right now, as I imagine all those people looking deep into me. Faith is a very personal piece, I'm not quite sure how or why I wrote it, but I did. For awhile, it felt like a child I carried in my arms, protecting it from the world.

Faith is my first play. I wrote it a few hours one night, jumpy from too much coffee. I felt so sad after, like I drained my body of all its love and history, I just crawled into bed with damp cheeks, a weak body and a thoughtless mind after.

I felt so small after meeting everybody. I immediately shied away, terribly intimidated by how incredibly fantastic these people were. Faith was amongst these people, the stories of these people.

I must say Thank You. Thank You for such an array of incredible pieces; some, I couldn't help but fall in love with, and form the quiet desire to go on one knee and propose to the playwright or director. Thank You for the opportunity and Thank You for listening,reading and watching. Thank You for giving Faith wings, Thank You!

Everyone at KLPac - Joe Hasham, Dato' Faridah Merican, Technical and Stage Crew, even as we have never spoken or properly met, know that you've cradled a dream out of my imprisoning head, onto stage. Like quiet angels, you've granted a wish. Thank you.

Esnani and Lvyn, there is so much love, respect and appreciation I have for you both right now. You gave Faith a heartbeat.

I am so incredibly humbled by this experience. I am overwhelmed by so much love and appreciation; I am terribly tempted to have my way with each, and every single one of you.

Thank you all.

:aminda faradilla:

S+S Theatre Malaysia 2009 results

Gala Night Finalists
* In order of performance

1. Life's A Twitch
2. Waiting For Godot Too
3. Phat!
4. Poo By Any Other Name Smells As Bad
5. Faith
6. Unsaid
7. Baby, baby
8. The Junction
9. Allah
10. Fuckin' Food

Congratulations!!!

Another lot of ramblings from the ASM

So, the opening night for S+S Theatre week 2 went smooth.. pretty alright..
Backstage wise, it's quite crazy to think of setting up a bed with sheets and pillows, and side tables complete with photo frame and teddy, all done in less than a minute in the dark. But, I think it went pretty fast and good!

I haven't been taking many photos, but since I'm such a lousy blogger writing-wise, I need photos to boost my contribution! hehehe!

Here's the Stage Manager, Michelle Yip.



Me, being someone that's never worked in anything to do with theatre, I'm always about to pop. But then I give hats-off to Michelle for her patience. Of course, everyone has their stressed times and their own way to release it. I only resort to talking it out, which can be quite inconvenient at times because talking takes so much time, and I talk so much when I talk! She being the SM, listens when she can. But you know what, I think she's got multiple ears or something? During shows, she wears the huge-ass intercom on one ear to communicate with the crews, a walkie-talkie on the other to communicate with Front-Of-House, and then she can still talk to casts backstage! What is she mann? When a choreographer/director has problems with their cues or something, go to Michelle. When someone's missing, go to Michelle. When Reuben is always missing(!), call him (Michelle does..)! I think she's a real wonder. Well, a stage manager is a real wonder! And she's a great Stage Manager.

I've never worked with one till S+S, but if I ever do again in future, and he/she is better than her, I'll make another post here! Ahahaha!!! Michelle, don't take it too hard.

Just like The Stage, "you know we love you right?" with a hug.
Michelle is a good SM too, cause she takes good care of her anak-anak.. feeds us pretty well too. We almost got through with Starbucks, but she's smarter than that! Bah, that's why she's the STAGE MANAGER!

Going back to a way to de-stress.. many of the crews smoke ciggs, but I don't.


I may seem a lil' anti-social sometimes, but it's simply because I don't like the smell of ciggs, and especially when it gets into my hair. But otherwise, I'm nice.. hehee! And I am considerate if people need a smoke, but at the right time. I go by regulations, and bend it slightly if need be. See, I'm nice right?

Okay, so I still don't have many photos to share, but has everyone seen the photos by Sesha on Facebook? If not, go and look for it now!


There are 3 more shows for Week 2, and then on Sunday the 16th August it's the Gala Night!!! Everyone, Gala Night tickets are going fast, you wanna catch it better buy them now!

Prices:
Week 1 & 2: RM30; RM15*
Gala Night: RM40; RM25*
*Students, senior citizens, the disabled
Tickets can be purchased at klpac box-office (03-4047 9000)

I'm going back to work now, and I'll see you monkeys soon!

**Avril - ASM

Confessions of a Director

Before opening night of Short+Sweet Theatre Week 2, just wanna write something about my experience as a Director for Short+Sweet this year. Sorta like a personal but published documentation. ^_^

The decision to come in as a director was a last minute thing. I knew I wanted to be a part of Short+Sweet, and I kept on reminding myself to come up with a script, like I did last year. It was a thrill that my first ever script, "Subway Confessions" got into the gala night last year, and I wanted to feel that whole feeling of pride and excitement all over again. Unfortunately, that 2009 script never came, either because I was just too lazy, or kept on telling myself that I am really THAT busy. So since directing for stage was something I've always wanted to try, I thought, why not direct a 10-minute piece and see how that goes?

I was assigned to 'Concealed', and I have to say when I first read the piece, I related to the character, Angie (especially looking back at those college years and the 'joys' of growing up). And it being my first time directing someone else's masterpiece, I was pretty nervous about meeting the writer, Jillian Toyad. I didn't have to be, really, Jillian is a total sweetie and very easy to work with. During our meeting, we not only discussed the script... as with how conversations can lead from one thing to another, we discussed girly issues and even found a common interest, Harry Potter. :)

And then it came to the next challenge, finding the suitable actor to play Angie. After the auditions, I shortlisted a couple of people I thought would be a great Angie. I didn't ask all of them in one go, and after several meetings with two and three girls, I finally found my Angie. She was in some remote island with no internet when I contacted her, and had to have her sister read the entire script to her on the phone! Ani Juliana hopped on board with so much enthusiasm, it was infectious. I was already excited to begin rehearsals!! :)

I had three other characters with only one line in my play, and it was a little hard trying to cast for that. To tell you guys the truth, I didn't know how to explain to the actor he/she only had to say only one line with less than a second on stage, stand in the dark all throughout, come for nearly all the rehearsals and commit 4 days for the show. Thank God, Alfred Loh and Adeline Ong (who were already casted in another play) agreed to do it. My sister, Ching Li agreed to do it as well, after the third actor backed out on me after the last group rehearsal. You guys are such stars! *hugs*

Finding rehearsal space was a challenge as well. Because my play involved alot of sitting and make-up, we could not do it outdoors. The one time we tried, it drizzled and ducks started quacking. -_- Other than the 3 rehearsals we had in KLPac, we did it at my place, and Juliana would come all the way over (which was btw, a fair distance from her place). After rehearsals if it runs too late and she has no transport home, she would stay over at her friend's place and go home the next day. I thank her for her commitment. She has been a joy to work with. =D

I had a great time rehearsing for 'Concealed', and before the curtain opens tonight, I want to take the opportunity to thank the writer, Jillian; and my actors, Ani Juliana, Alfred Loh, Adeline Ong and Ching Li for coming on board this ride with me at the wheel as a first-time director. I also wanna thank Joe and Faridah for giving me this opportunity in the first place, and the entire backstage crew. It has been an awesome journey so far, and TONIGHT, it is just truly getting started. I am sure I would have a lot more to say after our performances the next 4 days!

Break a leg, guys!

-Min Li-
Director, 'Concealed'

2cents

I thought I'd give my two cents worth in this blog seeing as it is the last week of S+S, boo hoo.

Well, well, whaddya know? It's already Theatre Week 2 and I'm pumped!
I didn't get to catch Dance Week 1, but Week 2 was great! And I enjoyed Theatre Week 1 despite the graphic images that were ingrained in my mind after (Vincent Edwin, the thought of sagging breasts that polished the floor haunted me O.O Damn you. Haha! I'm just kidding =])

Honestly, I still find it rather surreal that my li'll script managed to get in. I chalk it up to pure luck; but I could just be saying that to hide the large ego I have in actual fact *grins*. But then again, it's not everyday I get to say "Hey! I wrote a script and it's being staged at KLPAC!" :)

A brief "history" of my "career" as a scriptwriter; I've only written one other script before CONCEALED. And that was for the drama competition back in highschool; probably one of my proudest moments in highschool actually. We won every category in the Interclass competition, ranked 3rd in Wilayah Pers. and was given a chance to perform at The Actor's Studio Bangsar for the INTI Drama Competition. As the scriptwriter, director and background actress of that play, needless to say, it was one of the greatest experiences I had (though winning would've probably made it a whole lot sweeter!). And because of it, I knew I couldn't let that be the end of my "theatre trail".

For last year's S+S, I couldn't pluck up the courage to audition to act nor had I found time to sit down and type out a 10minute play. So this year, I was determined to do either one. Again, I hadn't mustered up enough courage to audition as an actor yet again, BUT, I was thankful that I was on break at the time I decided to conjure up the play I hope you'll be catching this week, CONCEALED.

I'm glad I've got something to cross off my list of "Things to do before I leave for the States".

=)

- Jillian T.
Sklip-laiter of Concealed.

Welcome to the world of theatre

I'll always recall this phrase from Brana, when I was complaining about how exhausted and tired I was from rehearsals, performances & work.

'Welcome to the world of theatre Vince.'

I've written a number of plays. I enjoy writing plays. They are an expression of my thoughts and at many times, my mental state of mind. But I've never acted before.

Well, to say that I've never acted before would be a truth of sorts. Not exactly true though.

I did have a one liner in a friends father's play when I was 10. I was comparing politicians to con artists selling miracle medicines.

I did 'act' in a few of my own videos for college because I had 'no choice'.

I use ' ' because it wasn't really acting. It was just plain reading from the script and a little bit of movement here and there. I can tell you this for free. I did NOT enjoy it. Having all your friends and relatives tell you that a wooden plank has more acting ability than you as well as suggesting you messed up your own script by horrible acting isn't all together ego boosting.

Oh! A LARGE number of people also did express ... shock (?) That I decided to play the role myself.

I quote: 'OMG VINCE! I THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO GET INTO THE FINALS! WHY ARE YOU KILLING THAT CHANCE OFF EVEN BEFORE YOU START?'

So needless to say, I swore that I'd never act again! To spare myself, if not other people, the agony of watching it.

That oath would be broken 6 audition with 6 different actors later. From people pulling out, to people being unsuitable or having commitment and attitude issues, we could not find an actor for my play.

Basically, I was put in the position where I HAD to act. Or my play wouldn't be performed.

So I thought, fine. I will give it a go. If I mess things up, I will only have myself to blame. What I can't achieve with natural talent, I hope to get with lots and lots of practice.

All credit to Ivan. He thought me stuff I'm sure everyone knows (well every actor / actress). From the basics of voice projection, facing the lighting correctly and even moving on stage properly, that bugger drilled me good and taught me everything.

I remember I started dreading rehearsals. Cause they were so tiring and so... well, embarassing!

I think we practice around 40 hours in 3 weeks. No mean feat considering 25 of those hours were in 2 weeks. And the last week both me and Andre were sick. The result? I became a fantabulous, awesomeness actor!

Well, not really. Actually far far from it!

Haha. But at least I managed not to embarass myself TOO BADLY. I still embarassed myself la! But not as bad as I thought I would ;)

The biggest suprise for me was that when I performed, I actually enjoyed myself. Ok. That was an understatement, I got a lil high from it! Awesome right! I didn't have to drink or smoke u... ermm... nvm...

I got an extra thrill from the fact that it was my script. My bad jokes. And I was telling it how I had envisioned it. And how Ivan had injected his vision into it else well.

Sure, not everyone loved the play / script. But that was how I wrote it. I wanted people to hate it or love it. In that sense, I'm VERY sure I achieved my objective. I got a reaction. Be it 'Omfg... the writer's freaking sick!' or 'LMAO... thats funny sh*t', as long as I managed to provoke a reaction, I was happy.

I enjoyed this year's S&S much more than I did last years. Probably because I took a much more active part than jus getting my script approved. I'd like to say thank you to Andre for being fun and pulverizing me with academy award trivia to unnerve me. Maybe the right word should be unnervous me? Meh. You get the idea.

I'd also like to thank Ivan for helping me learn everything I needed to for the audience to laugh at my jokes rather than my bad acting alone.

Thank you S&S for an experience I've thoroughly enjoyed.

But my biggest thanks is to my friends, Gen Wong, Chooi Ling, my brother and mother as well as a few others who came to catch me make a fool of myself (blame the mind, not the heart).

And a special special thank you to my girl friend and love, Alicia, for calming me down before each performance, and telling me (she was lying!) that I would do great. for listening to me rant about silly things like exhaustion and a sore throat from projecting incorrectly (and aching abs when I did project properly! SEE! CANNOT WIN ONE LA!)

I wish you were here to have caught me in action. Err.. so to speak...


Thats all for my rambling :)

thanks for pretending to read it :)

Vincent Edwin
Scriptwriter of Reverse Pyschology
(if you didn't like it and want to shoot / kill me for bad writing... my name is actually Ah Em So Soli)
Actor wannabe of Reverse Pyschology (first and LAST time!)

Kinda Short, Sweet, and Spicy

Aah..Have always wanted to write in this blog but have been sort of self-conscious (I don't want to be a limelight-hogging, look-at-me-24/7 type, even though I am) and also because I feel there was nothing special or unique that I can add to what have already been said. But, as time progressed and this blog has become more and more like the self-glorifying website for you-know-who instead of a blog for S+S 09, I thought I'd just add my two cents into the mix, if only to to break the monotony of the relentless narcissism of one person. Plus, I finally know what I want to write about.

So yesterday was the staged reading of 9 plays that did not make it into the shortlist for S+S Theatre 09. It would be tempting to say that these plays are just (in the words of an audience overheard before the show) unfinished products. Or plays that weren't good enough to be in competition. Or plays that are of a lower quality. Or..oh, you get the idea. But anyone who went to the staged reading yesterday knows full well that these assumptions are simply not true.

From the over-the-top yet awfully entertaining "What Happens After A Fairytale Ending" to the poetic and dark "Under the Sunless Sky" to the unintentional comedy that is "Transit", all the plays have positive qualities that makes one wonder, "Why the heck weren't they shortlisted for S+S?" .

I myself got two of my plays shortlisted and I feel so humbled by the quality of the plays in the staged readings. I kept thinking to myself, I can never write as good as this! From the bottom of my heart, I say kudos to all the writers of the plays in the staged readings.

And I also want to make a special mention to the directors and actors that made the staged readings a night to remember (I'm smiling right now, just reminiscing about it). I can't remember all the names but I'll mention the ones that I do remember. To Paranee (amazing actor, and I'm not being biased, okay!).

To the male actors (sorry I din't catch your names!) in:

• "Transit" (dude, you're ill funny, yo!)
• "Saturday Night" (you have charisma, no doubt about it. See you when you hit the big time); and
• "While She Lasts" (There's something about you that I liked, not sure what).
  

To the ladies (again, I'm really bad with names) in:

• "What Happens After a Fairytale Ending" (The most beautiful interpretation of Cinderella ever! Not to forget, the girl who played the reporter. You remind me of Michael Urie - the gay guy from Ugly Betty. And I mean that as a compliment!)
• "Transit" (Charming and funny, what a combination! And I am a little bit biased ;p ); as well as
• "Age Defying Tricks for Women" (What a great opening to the show!)

But overall, congratulations to the writers and directors for going all out even if it's only a staged reading! Bravo!

The standard has been set and the bar is raised high. These actors, directors, and writers have shown that there are a lot of talent in this country and I was priviledged enough to see them in action.

Starting this Wednesday (12th August), the second week of S+S 09 will start. Let's hope the plays put up for show are at least half as good as the ones I saw during the staged reading. By the way, those who haven't bought tickets, get your lazy butts off your seats and buy them now!!!

Now, isn't that nice? That this blog has a posting from someone else for a change. Yay!

Love,

Indra Irwan

SHADES OF THE MOON - THE BODY CANVAS

From the award winning performer of Re: Lady White Snake, Sinful Legs Sacred Body, Spring in KL, En-Body-Men and Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical.

Shades Of The Moon is all about the shades and little about the moon.

Featuring music, dance, choreography, video, computer-graphic, animation, imaging and design by Weijun.

Dance Sequence - Su Lin/Suhaili Micheline (SYTYCD)/Weijun

S+S Dance Gala Night Finalists!!!

S+S Dance week 2 has ended and the results of the Gala Night Finalists are out!!!

BAD news for the following group:
1. Shades Of The Moon
2. Passive
3. Nunuk Ragang
4. Walking With Angels
5. Hungry For Hope
6. Mirror
7. Nerds Gone Nuts
8. Aku
9. Diaries '09
10. Zapin Berangin

Why?

PLEASE BE BACKSTAGE OF PENTAS 2 TODAY, 2ND AUGUST 2009 AT 2.30PM FOR YOUR TECH/DRESS REHEARSAL FOR THE GALA NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS FINALISTS!

And congratulations too, to all the other participants who did not make it, you gave it all out!! And the finalists need your support, so come for the Gala Night!

Get your tickets now!!!