ONLY THE BEST WILL DO

IT is not an easy job choosing the right play for the prestigious Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur which is reputed to be the national equivalent of London's Royal Albert Hall.

Pick the wrong ones and people think you are biased. When you set a certain standard, theatre activists might feel they are being sidelined.

Dr Hatta Azad Khan, director of the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan, is the man to tell you about Istana Budaya's selection criteria.

``Only the best plays which have attained certain standards have the chance at this premier venue for the performing arts,'' said Hatta.

And only a couple of plays qualify.

``We have to be selective. We normally keep tabs on all the plays that are staged in town.

``If a really good play comes along and measures up, then it will be considered for a run at the Istana Budaya.

``Enthusiastic stage directors will have to wait,'' noted Hatta, who is also a film/TV and theatre director.

He was awarded a doctorate in Film Studies from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

To keep up the standards, the National Theatre has chosen a play based on legendary warrior Tun Perak to kick off the millennium. A team from the Akademi Seni Kebangsaan will help out in the production.

``It's natural for us to field our own talent as there's a whole lot of creative people working with us,'' said Dato Tengku Alaudin Tengku Abdul Majid, the producer of Tun Perak.

Tun Perak will be directed by Hatta who has vast experience in directing films, theatre productions and TV shows. The man's credits include the film Mat Som which represented Malaysia at the International Film Festivals in Tokyo, India, Hawaii, Taipei and Jakarta.

Hatta also collaborated with Othman Hafsham and created Pi Mai Pi Mai Tang Tu, which became the longest running sitcom on TV3.

As for Tun Perak, a little bit of history would be appropriate. The Malay historical figure was bestowed the Bendahara Paduka Raja title and served faithfully under four Sultans from 1446 to 1511. He was a charismatic leader with a great deal of foresight and wisdom and led Malacca to victory against Siam and extended the influence of Malacca to Patani, Kampar and Inderagiri.

So who gets to play Tun Perak?

The role goes to Shaharuddin Thamby, the competent and popular film and theatre actor.

``I came for the audition hoping to get any part in the play. I was quite surprised when they offered me Tun Perak,'' said Shaharuddin.

``It's a great honour to play this great leader. I just got the script a few days ago and I'm planning to do some research work on Tun Perak,'' he added.

The lead character will see the actor tested well for the roles of the principal advisor of the Sultan, the brilliant strategist, and the Chief Judge. Tun Perak was the man to dispense advice for the overall benefit of the people of Malacca.

``I assume this charismatic leader has to be an intelligent man with lots of patience and is a real hero. I have to prepare myself to deliver what is required for the role and that's not going to be easy.''

Easy or not, Shaharuddin only has less than a month to study Tun Perak as the play will be staged from May 6. Others in the cast include actress Norish Karman (Tun Kudu), Abdullah Zainol (Tun Ali), Vanida Imran (Fatimah), Omar Abdullah (Sultan of Malacca), Abu Bakar Omar (Temenggong), Zaidi Omar (Tun Hamzah) and Mazlan Tahir (the Syahbandar).

Experienced music director/composer and conductor Ramlan Iman will handle the music score while the dance choreographers for Tun Perak are Malaysia's most versatile choreographers Joseph Gonzales and Suhaimi Magi.

The script was written by a panel of writers which include Siti Jasmina Ibrahim, Shahrul Azli Mohd Shukor, Zakaria Ariffin, Rosminah Mohd Thair and Hatta Azad Khan.

BY ZIEMAN - PUBLISHED 27/4/2000