PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Tributes to Our Real Life Superheroes – The Power of Women
“Real Stories by Real People”
Kuala Lumpur, 14 February 2014 – In conjunction with International Women’s Day, a global day
of celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future,
Life Sdn Bhd: The Power of Women pays tribute to real life superheroes like our mothers,
grandmothers, sisters, aunts, bibiks and amahs starting from 13 – 16 March at The Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre (klpac).
“Real Stories by Real People”
Women have long exercised influence behind the scenes. From the time of creation, history
acknowledges a more disarming brand of power – a woman’s ability to unmake a man. Eve was
partly responsible for Adam’s disgrace from Heaven. She used her feminine power in all its
guises – intelligence, beauty and seduction to win over Adam.
Women have come a long way since then. Over the last century, women have gained a voice, a
vote. Many are still down trodden and helpless. Decorously and defiantly, our struggles will
continue, but we remain strong and resolute day by day. Life Sdn Bhd: The Power of Women
dedicates and celebrates all women who daily have given, do give, and will always give of
themselves to their families, communities and countries.
Created in 2004 by Dato’ Faridah Merican, Life Sdn Bhd has been dedicated to sharing real life
experiences openly and without judgment. Actors and non-actors come together with true stories
on stage, spreading awareness on issues that affects our lives. It has and will continue to bring
provocative and insightful perspectives on subjects such as HIV, domestic violence and many
more through a fascinating mix of storytelling, music and dance. Now in its tenth year, it has
become a local touchstone, bringing together women and men to share ideas and collective
wisdom.
The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat with like-minded women and men will take to the stage of
pentas 2 at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) on March 13-15 at 8:30pm and
March 16 at 3:00pm with true stories woven into music, dance and song on the theme of “The
Power of Women”. Tickets are priced from RM33 to RM43 in Kuala Lumpur. Call 03-40479000
(klpac) to purchase tickets. For more information, visit http://www.klpac.org/?p=11972
About The Actors Studio (Malaysia)
The Actors Studio was set up in April of 1989 by husband and wife team Joe Hasham and Dato’
Faridah Merican with the following objectives – to stage meaningful theatre, to nurture the
performing arts and to provide training to all those interested to learn. It is one of the foremost
theatre companies in the country and its experience in the arts is unparalleled. The Actors Studio
Seni Teater Rakyat is sponsored by JT International Berhad. For more information, visit
www.theactorsstudio.com.my.
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org
Show Details
Date
13 – 16 March 2014
Time
Thursday to Saturday @ 8.30pm, Sunday @ 3.00pm
Venue
Pentas 2, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Jalan Strachan, Sentul Park, 51100 Kuala Lumpur.
Ticket Price
RM43, RM33 (Students, Disabled, TAS Card member)
Promo
Joint promotion with Laugh Chinese Style 2, RM56
Call / Walk-In:
klpac @ Sentul Park +603-40479000
Online:
www.ticketpro.com.my
Team
Production Team
Executive Producer & Director : Dato' Faridah Merican
Artistic Director : Joe Hasham OAM.
Lighting Designer : Mohd Fairuz
Sound Operator : Pat Omar
Performers:
Lelaki 2.5 (Lex Lakshman, Ian Chow, Ariff Akhir)
The Power of Women String Quartet (Rebecca Ong, Abbygail Ong, Cheryl Choi,
Wennis Tiong)
Abbernaa Kukanathan
Diane Au Kitt May
Min’z
Elizabeth Cardosa
Ho Lee Ching
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org
Biodata
Creative Team
Dato' Faridah Merican (Executive Producer)
Known as the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, Faridah’s early acting credits include
such plays as ‘Lela Mayang’, ‘Tok Perak’, ‘Uda dan Dara’ and ‘Alang Rentak Seribu’,
works that defined the Malaysian theatre in the 60s and 70s, and determined the
direction that theatre would take in the next few decades. In the early 60s, she joined
Radio and TV Malaysia. Simultaneously, she was involved in the formative years of
Malaysian Advertising, and is today, a member of the board of directors of Ogilvy &
Mather. She also sits on the board of several other institutions.
In 1989, Faridah co-founded The Actors Studio with her husband Joe Hasham. In June
of 2003, floods destroyed the entire complex of The Actors Studio in Plaza Putra,
Dataran Merdeka. Out of that devastation, Faridah’s ‘nothing is impossible’ attitude
generated yet another ground-breaking event – the birth of The Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre, set up by the YTL Group, Yayasan Budi Penyayang and The
Actors Studio.
Faridah Merican was awarded the BOH Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award for
2004. In July 2005, Faridah was conferred the ‘Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar’ by
the Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan on the occasion of His Highness’ 83rd
Birthday. In August 2006, she received an Honorary Master of Letters at University
Sains Malaysia’s 35th Convocation.
Joe Hasham OAM (Director / Artistic Director)
Joe was born in Tripoli, Lebanon, did his schooling in Sydney, Australia, moved to
Malaysia in 1984 and is now a proud permanent resident of his adopted country. Joe is
Artistic Director of The Actors Studio, which he set up with his wife Faridah in 1989 and
also Artistic Director of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre. Joe is a graduate of
NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) at the University of NSW, Sydney, Australia.
Before he made the decision to come to Malaysia, he was one of the most sought after
actors in Australia. Joe is a multi-award winning film director, actor, writer and recording
artist.
Joe was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), within the Australian
Honours System "For Service to the performing arts through The Actors Studio
(Malaysia) and The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre; and, as an actor, writer,
producer and director".
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org
Performers
Abbernaa Kukanathan
Abbernaa is an active and lively girl, forever looking for ways and means to express
herself artistically. Her interests are many and varied and with her pursuit of artistic
expression, she hopes to travel widely and move into the world of journalism in later
years to capture into words what she sees, hears and understands. This girl believes in
the divinity of art and culture and hopes to continue learning throughout her life, giving
beauty and hope to others along the way.
Diane Au Kitt May
Diane’s love of acting began at the age of 12 when she first starred in a reproduction of
Cinderella for a school play. Ever since then, she’s taken on the role of Drama Queen in
her daily life, much to the annoyance of those around her but has not ventured on-stage
since – till now. In 2014, she hopes to alternate her time spent between spinning tall
tales for the devil (aka working in advertising) and pursuing her YOLO degree by doing
anything and everything she’s ever wanted to try – this includes script writing, painting,
directing, editing and tormenting her husband and pets with false promises of treats in
return for snuggles. Channelling her inner diva, she hopes to entertain you with her
theatrics but has hidden a bowl of rotten tomatoes under your seat - just in case.
Min’z (Lim Min Tze)
Singer-songwriter, Min’z (pronounced as min-zee) is a 24 year old who channels her
thoughts and emotions into inspirational and soul-tugging words. In 2010, her single “To
See You Go” went on Fly FM’s Campur Chart and peaked at #3. That song was later
remixed by DJs from around the world with names such as Patrick Oliver, Paula
Pedroza, Miles Moore, Steve Aries and Gabriel Batz. Min’z has also lent her voice to
various commercials, such as Digi’s For Forgivesness (2011) and Prudential;s Project
Listen (2012).
Ho Lee Ching
She pretty much knows what she likes or dislikes but when it comes to questions about
who she is, she is left baffled. She is a TV series addict who is very attracted to things
she cannot define. She wishes she had more than one life because a lifetime is
insufficient to experience and achieve the many things she wants to do. As part of the
Theatre for Young People 2012, she was exposed to performing plays for the first time.
She was last seen in Never Eat Too Much Before Rapture, Romeo & Juliet and Marrying
Me. She wants to learn as much as she can while being involved in more plays this year
as she hopes to be able to make a career out of performing.
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org
Elizabeth Cardosa
Elizabeth Cardosa is now best known for her involvement in cultural heritage
preservation as the Executive Director of Badan Warisan Malaysia (the Heritage of
Malaysia Trust), the leading national heritage NGO. Her involvement in heritage was a
natural progression from her life long involvement in culture and the arts. Formally
trained in theatre and the performing arts in USM and UCLA, she was the Cultural
Affairs Manager at British Council Malaysia for over a decade from the mid 1980s. Her
contribution to the arts was acknowledged when she received the Cross Cultural
Champion of the Arts Award at the 2003 Boh Cameronian Awards. Elizabeth feels
fortunate she is now able to bring together both her training and passion through her
work.
The Power of Women String Quartet
Rebecca Ong
At just 19 years old, Rebecca has the wonderful distinction of being the “oldest” serving
member of klpac Orchestra. She started when she was 11 years old and was one of the
youngest members too.
Abbygail Ong
Abbygail Ong is a 14 years old student that has been actively involved in music, mainly
show choir. She has been a part of Permata Seni Koir since 2009, a choir put together
under the PERMATA Negara programme by Her Excellency Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah
Mansor. Together with the choir, she has performed in various states of Malaysia, New
York, Dubai and Vienna.
Cheryl Choi
Cheryl started learning the piano and the viola at the age of 4 under the tutelage of Mr.
Lee Kok Leong and Ms. Angela Lou; she progressed to obtaining her grade 8 certificate
in both piano and viola. Cheryl is current member of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth
Orchestra and has performed in Brisbane, Australia during their December tour in 2012.
She is also tutti violist in the klpac Orchestra, Galaxy Chamber Orchestra (GCO), and
the ensemble KL String Project. She is an active performing violist and a current student
of the University College Sedaya International (UCSI) pursuing her degree in classical
music, majoring in viola under the tutelage of Ms. Angela Lou.
Wennis Tiong
Wennis Tiong learnt cello since 16 under the guidance of Mr. Lim Soon Huat. She had
joined 21st Century Arts Festival 2010 under category of Chinese Orchestra. She is
currently studying Foundation of Classical Music at UCSI, majoring in Classical Cello.
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org
Lelaki 2.5
Lelaki 2.5 is a trio made up of choreographer / xylophone virtuoso, Lex Lakshman;
theatre manager / epic blockbuster mobie-style love ballad composer, Ian Chow; and
music producer / cowboy song historian, Ariff Akhir.
Lex Lakshman
A graduate from the National Arts Academy, ASWARA, "LEX" LAKSHMAN
BALAKRISHNAN loves making dance, fusing traditional and contemporary elements in
his works. He was the choreographer for klpac’s KAKI BLUE (2009) and The Actors
Studio's ADAM THE MUSICAL (2010). Besides these, he can also be seen on stage as
an actor, dancer and singer and was awarded the Bintang Irama 1Malaysia in 2010.
Currently a Choreographer in-Residence at klpac, his recent works include
choreography for Jason Robert Brown’s THE LAST FIVE YEARS, T4YP’s A HISTORY
OF FALLING THINGS by James Graham and CARTOON by Steve Yockey. In June
2011, Lex staged his own production of NITYA SUMANGALI, fusing both contemporary
and traditional Indian dances with drama.
Ian Chow
Ian is now currently attached with The Actors Studio Malaysia, The Kuala Lumpur
Performing Arts Centre (klpac) and Performing Arts Centre of Penang (penangpac) as
the Group Theatre Manager and Production, Director with the Young Choral Academy.
He’s also a singer-songwriter who’s been gigging for the past 8 years and currently has
a fondness in writing / performing for theatre productions. Among the notable
productions he has involved in include Life Sdn Bhd series, Malaysian Girls the musical
and Food, Sex and Death.
Ariff Akhir
Ariff Akhir is a musician, songwriter, music producer and audio engineer. Ariff runs
Purple Sound Productions, an audio recording and music production facility, and he
performs regularly as a solo singer-songwriter and as lead singer and guitarist for The
Sofa Sessions.
Media Enquiries / Interviews
Call Elaine Hoh at 012 423 1922 or e-mail elaine@klpac.org