Thursday January 18, 2007
Timeless tragedy
By JASON CHEAH
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Wong Phui Nam is one of South- East Asia’s most eminent poets. |
Anike is a unique Asian version of the play Antigone by ancient Greek playwright Sophocles. Wong’s passionate and poetic composition is the latest in a line of inspired adaptations of the classic tragedy which was first produced in 441 BC. From the famous Nazi-era rendering by French writer Jean Anouilh to versions influenced by communism or modern-day apartheid rule, this tale of a mere individual’s defiance against powerful despot rule has appealed for centuries for its humanity and timelessness.
The story is set in a successor city to Temasek, during an ancient era of the Malay world.
Sirat is killed by his best friend and fellow warrior Wira on the orders of Raja Maniaka. Maniaka had earlier believed slanders concocted by jealous court officials against Wira, and unjustly sentenced Wira to death. This prompted Sirat to rampage in vengeance and chase the king out of his palace. Only when Maniaka called for help was it revealed that Wira had in fact been unharmed. Maniaka then summoned the constantly loyal Wira to slay Sirat.
As the play’s action begins, the king has now ordered Sirat's corpse to be hung in public. No one, decrees Maniaka, should accord Sirat's body the ceremony of a funeral.
But Anike, sister of Sirat, resolves to defy the king. She decides to cut loose her brother’s hanging body and give it a burial.
Can she succeed? Will she survive the chain of furies that may well convulse the kingdom to its very foundation?
Anike is Wong’s first play. Wong is one of South-East Asia’s most eminent poets in the English language.
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Asian twist: Anike (May Kung, right) confronts her sister Yasmine (Saw Jin-Jin) in Wong Phui Nam’s debut play Anike. |
The play is directed by Himanshu Bhatt, and stars Jayaram Menon as King Maniaka and May Kung as Anike with the theme music composed by Noor Izwan Mohamad.
The performances will be staged at Wisma Kebudayaan SGM, 243 Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL, on Jan 20 at 8pm and Jan 21 at 2.30pm. For invitations call % 03-2087 9999 (ext 2531), 012-333 0697 (Lizzie), or 019-566 4641 (Himanshu) or e-mail lizzie.vincent@zaidibrahim.com.my or capepoetics@gmail.com. On Jan 26 and 27, it will be staged at Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, at 8.30pm on both nights.
Tickets for the Penang performances are priced at RM10 and RM5 (students).
Call 019-5664641, 016-4953445, 04-6533888 ext 4126. For full details, visit: www.capepoetics.com. The play is staged in aid of the Pusat Penjagaan Kanak Kanak Cacat Taman Megah (www.ppkkctm.org) (Taman Megah care centre for disabled children).
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