Abdul Walid, Ali

Priscilla, Tawie

Unimas Institutional Repository

CMYKCMYKCMYKCMYKTHURSDAY MARCH 22, 2018HIGHLIGHTSBig game and big guns: Trump’s ‘Wildlife Conservation Council’  << T3THE modern world often leaves behind its cul-ture and tradition. With the art scene evolving globally, what used to be on-stage theatre, now become movies, television dramas - hence the enjoyment of theatre is slowly fading due to the lack of interest among the new generations. Such is the worries claimed by Performance Maker Walid Ali, a lecturer from the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts at University Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).He said also that he admired English Theatre and Film Director Peter Brook for his ‘deadly the-atre’ classification as dangerous because by having a repeated theme, story line and old ideas it can cease the interest from theatre audiences in Sarawak.Recently, Walid staged a ‘site-specific theatre’ involving the youth for the youth whereby his target for the performance to let his young viewers know there are different ways and techniques a theatre can be enjoyed.His theatre content this time contradicts the current popular genres always available for the public, which according to Walid, would showcase cliche subject and storyline such rebellious child that regrets his past mistakes, or fight for properties that is always shown on local theatres. ‘Ajak Crush Awak’, or a roughly translated to ‘Invite your crush’ is an adaptation from Walid’s 2015 novel of the same title, he shared his inspiration for directing it into a theatre performance, “I took the idea of having a crush and love within teenagers because my tar-get is the new audiences of theatre in Sarawak.”He stresses that the young gen-erations are going to be the future of theatre performances, and by using something that is close to them, it could encourage them to show further interest towards per-forming arts.Using the technique site-spe-cific theatre which is uncommon in Malaysia, Walid managed to capture his audience’s attention with this witty performance of two different gender individuals to share on their experiences with having an unrequited love, or love that they do not have the chance to proclaim yet, better known as having a ‘crush’.The performances that was held on March 16 to 18 was at Borneo Laboratory - Creative Residence, Kuching due to its venue charac-teristics that reflects the perfor-mance which was dedicated espe-cially for the millennials.The story tells the tale of a man wanting to commit suicide by jumping from the KLCC Twin Towers due to being disappointed for the 100th time. During his attempt, he met a girl who shares the same intention as his, at the top of KLCC. For his production as a Director this time, Walid shared that his challenge was in terms of practice as both him, and the student casts for the show were busy with their own commitments.“However, I found them to be quite dedicated, and hardwork-ing in practicing for the show. Yes rehearsals can be difficult and time constraining, but it is fruitful at the end.”Walid disclosed that this ‘Ajak Crush Awak’ production only consisted of three cast including himself as the Director. “And I loved it when we are always laugh-ing during rehearsal. I am not sure whether my production is funny, but I am confident we would be enjoying ourselves.”The actor and actress who per-formed in his production ‘Ajak Crush Awak’ are both his students under the Faculty of Applied and Creative Arts at UNIMAS.THEATRE performance held recently at Borneo Laboratory - Creative Residence, Kuching was an adaptation from Walid’s 2015 novel.A Play for the MillennialsBY PRISCILLA TAWIESCENES from the ‘site-specific’ theatre performance.WALID together with the youngest audience during the theatre performance night.DIRECTOR Walid Ali standing between actors Ardilla Latif and Nabil Akhbar.WALID staged a ‘site-specific theatre’ involving the youth for the youth whereby his target for the performance to let his young viewers know there are different ways and techniques a theatre can be enjoyed.

A Play for the Millennials

http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/20550/1/Sarawak%20tribune%20Walid%20Page%2033March%20A%20play%20for%20Millennials.pdf

A Play for the Millennials

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