YUSOF13 – 15 Aug 2015, Thu – Sat, 8pm

16 Aug 2015, Sun, 3pm & 8pm Esplanade Theatre Studio

Dalifah Shahril, Erwin Shah Ismail, Farah Ong, Najib Soiman, Sani Hussin, Siti Khalijah Zainal

Written and Directed by Zizi Azah Binte Abdul Majid

FESTIVAL COMMISSION

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About Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

All rights reserved. UEN: 199205206GInformation correct at time of print.Please note that photographs and videos of patrons may be taken at this event for use in our archival and publicity material.

1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981 Tel: 6828 8222 Fax: 6337 3633Customer Service Hotline: 6828 8377 SISTIC Hotline: 6348 5555

Board Members

Special thanks to our Corporate Patron Esplanade is a proud member of

L.C.H. (S) Pte LtdAssociation of Asia Pacific Performing Art Centres

www.aappac.net

Mr Lee Tzu Yang (Chairman) Mr Benson Puah (Chief Executive Officer)Dr Beh Swan Gin Mrs Rosa Daniel Dr Jennifer Lee Ms Kathy Lai

Mrs Christine Ong Mr Ramlee Bin Buang Ms Saw Phaik HwaMrs Mildred Tan-Sim Beng MeiMr Yap Chee MengMr Andre Yeap

Esplanade is Singapore’s national performing arts centre and one of the busiest arts centres in the world. Since its opening in 2002, the centre has presented more than 28,000 performances, drawing an audience of 20 million patrons and 80 million visitors. This architectural icon, with its distinctive twin shells, houses world-class performance spaces complemented by a comprehensive range of professional support services. Its two main venues are the 1,600-seat Concert Hall and a Theatre with a capacity of 2,000. In March 2014, Esplanade’s Concert Hall was listed as one of the “world’s 15 most beautiful concert halls” by Hamburg-based building data company Emporis.

Esplanade’s vision is to be a performing arts centre for everyone and it seeks to enrich the lives of its community through the arts. The centre’s programming is guided by its mission – to entertain, engage, educate and inspire. Its year-long arts calendar includes an annual roster of 15 festivals and 19 programme series. These cater to diverse audiences in Singapore and span different cultures and genres including dance, music, theatre, the visual arts and more, with a special focus on Asian culture. More than 70% of the 3,000 shows that take place each year at the centre are non-ticketed.

Esplanade regularly presents world-renowned companies and artists that attract international attention and add to Singapore’s cultural vibrancy. The centre is also a popular performance home for arts groups and commercial presenters who hire its venues to stage a wide range of programmes. These carefully curated presentations complement Esplanade’s own diverse offerings for our audiences.

Esplanade works in close partnership with local, regional and international artists to develop artistic capabilities, push artistic boundaries and engage audiences. The centre supports the creation of artistic content and develops technical capabilities for the industry nationally.

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd, which is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character.

Visit www.esplanade.com for more information.

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Dear patrons,

Art is a reflection of who we are as an individual and as a people. As Singapore turns 50 this year, what better way to celebrate our multicultural identity than through the arts of our diverse ethnic groups. At Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts 2015, we mark our nation’s golden jubilee with an invitation to treasure our Malay heritage and culture. Join us over four days as we celebrate the cultural gems, arts and traditions that the Malay community hold dear.

In this 14th season, we look back on the pioneers whose contributions have touched us, paying tribute to our Singapore icons such as Yusof Ishak, Nona Asiah, and Salim I. Helmed by Zizi Azah and specially commissioned for Pesta Raya, Yusof features the story of Singapore’s first president. The play offers a rare glimpse into his life and his tireless dedication to the nation. We honour the achievements of popular 1950s singer, fashion designer and arts educator, Nona Asiah, with an evening of music and an exhibition; and present a rousing homage to pop yeh-yeh singer Salim I by his son Rudi.

We also throw a spotlight on popular artists who are shaping the music scene around us today. Youths and music lovers can look forward to a diverse line-up of Malay rock and hip hop performances featuring Singapore’s Bushmen, Indonesia’s NOAH, and Malaysia’s Pitahati as well as Altimet.

At the Concourse and Outdoor Theatre, we continue to present family-friendly free programmes, including traditional music and dance programmes; a children’s storytelling competition helmed by Djohan bin Abdul Rahman; and a talk show hosted by Najip Ali featuring interviews and previews of the day’s performances. And if you did not have enough of last year’s bazaar, join us again this year for more handicrafts and festive treats to feast on.

To understand culture is to experience it on a personal level. Whether you are new to Pesta Raya or a seasoned goer, we hope the programmes offered this season bring you meaningful encounters that not only help you gain a deeper appreciation for our society but also spur you to cherish all of our diverse cultural treasures.

Let the festivities begin.

Yours Sincerely,

Benson Puah Chief Executive Officer The Esplanade Co Ltd

About Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

All rights reserved. UEN: 199205206GInformation correct at time of print.Please note that photographs and videos of patrons may be taken at this event for use in our archival and publicity material.

1 Esplanade Drive, Singapore 038981 Tel: 6828 8222 Fax: 6337 3633Customer Service Hotline: 6828 8377 SISTIC Hotline: 6348 5555

Board Members

Special thanks to our Corporate Patron Esplanade is a proud member of

L.C.H. (S) Pte LtdAssociation of Asia Pacific Performing Art Centres

www.aappac.net

Mr Lee Tzu Yang (Chairman) Mr Benson Puah (Chief Executive Officer)Dr Beh Swan Gin Mrs Rosa Daniel Dr Jennifer Lee Ms Kathy Lai

Mrs Christine Ong Mr Ramlee Bin Buang Ms Saw Phaik HwaMrs Mildred Tan-Sim Beng MeiMr Yap Chee MengMr Andre Yeap

Esplanade is Singapore’s national performing arts centre and one of the busiest arts centres in the world. Since its opening in 2002, the centre has presented more than 28,000 performances, drawing an audience of 20 million patrons and 80 million visitors. This architectural icon, with its distinctive twin shells, houses world-class performance spaces complemented by a comprehensive range of professional support services. Its two main venues are the 1,600-seat Concert Hall and a Theatre with a capacity of 2,000. In March 2014, Esplanade’s Concert Hall was listed as one of the “world’s 15 most beautiful concert halls” by Hamburg-based building data company Emporis.

Esplanade’s vision is to be a performing arts centre for everyone and it seeks to enrich the lives of its community through the arts. The centre’s programming is guided by its mission – to entertain, engage, educate and inspire. Its year-long arts calendar includes an annual roster of 15 festivals and 19 programme series. These cater to diverse audiences in Singapore and span different cultures and genres including dance, music, theatre, the visual arts and more, with a special focus on Asian culture. More than 70% of the 3,000 shows that take place each year at the centre are non-ticketed.

Esplanade regularly presents world-renowned companies and artists that attract international attention and add to Singapore’s cultural vibrancy. The centre is also a popular performance home for arts groups and commercial presenters who hire its venues to stage a wide range of programmes. These carefully curated presentations complement Esplanade’s own diverse offerings for our audiences.

Esplanade works in close partnership with local, regional and international artists to develop artistic capabilities, push artistic boundaries and engage audiences. The centre supports the creation of artistic content and develops technical capabilities for the industry nationally.

Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay is operated by The Esplanade Co Ltd, which is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered Charity and an Institution of a Public Character.

Visit www.esplanade.com for more information.

CEO’s MESSAGE

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DIRECTOR’s MESSAGE

We now find ourselves on the precipice of certain maturity, one that demands from us a deep, cultivated identity. An identity that should be as rich as it is diverse; dynamic as it is complex. We should therefore look upon our history with the yearning for it to inspire us and give us the courage to dream. In looking back for inspiration, we need only to look at our people’s heroes – those men and women who believed in an idea greater than themselves. Those who set the foundation for the first-world nation we are all proud of today.

Encik Yusof Ishak was a man who held fast to an almost sacred sense of duty and service to the people. As a young man, he was already passionately driven to change the lives. We see this in the tenacity with which he set up Utusan Melayu – an independent newspaper fighting to give a voice to the common man in the time of colonial rule. From its beginnings in 1938 through to 1959, the newspaper was a watershed achievement in the time of nation-building when many were unsure whether independence and self-rule would indeed pave the way to success.

From 1959 to 1965, Encik Yusof Ishak stood tall and proud as the only non-royal Yang-Di Pertuan Negara (Head of State) in the Federation of Malaya. In 1965, when he became the first President of our independent nation, he became the champion of stability and peace that our people could rally around. His presidency is noted for his unwavering integrity in serving the people. Even near the end of his life, he expressed deep concern for uplifting the lives of the people.

Encik Yusof Ishak’s impassioned nobility of service may be traced back to his family’s roots in Pagar Ruyong or Alam Minangkabau (the world of the Minang people). It was in 1805 that Encik Yusof Ishak’s ancestor, Jenaton left Pagar Ruyong for Malaya. The Minang are a people known for their merantau (exploring) nature, and their subsequent pledging of loyalty to their adopted lands.

We see this nobility of service not only in Encik Yusof Ishak, but also his three brothers, Aziz Ishak, Ramley Ishak, Rahim Ishak – the former the Minister of Agriculture in Malaysia’s first Parliament, the second a Customs officer and Grassroots leader, and the last the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in Singapore. Their father, Encik Ishak Ahmad, no doubt, imparted to his sons a grave sense of duty and service.

Tonight, we celebrate a man who dared to imagine an independent people, a people educated and free, a people harmonious, in spite of differences. We celebrate a man, who saw took it upon himself to change the world around him. And in doing so, he has gifted us with the courage to dream of something greater than ourselves.

Zizi Azah bte Abdul Majid

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CHARACTERS

YUSOF ISHAK JENATON – Born 1910. Founder of Utusan Melayu, First Yang Di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore

NOOR AISHAH (WAN) – Born 1932. Wife of Yusof Ishak

ISHAK AHMAD JENATON – Born 1886. Father of Yusof Ishak, Director of Fisheries, Straits Settlements and Federated States of Malaya.

AISHAHTON – Born 1897. Mother of Yusof Ishak

AZIZ ISHAK JENATON – Born 1913. Younger Brother of Yusof Ishak.

WAN SAMSIAH – Aziz’s wife

RAMLEY ISHAK JENATON – Born 1920. Younger brother of Yusof Ishak

FATHOM IBRAHIM (MAS) – Ramley’s wife

LILY ISHAK JENATON – Younger sister of Yusof Ishak

SAMAD ISMAIL – Chief Editor of Utusan Melayu

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN – President of UMNO, Prime Minister of Malaya

SRI – Journalist for Utusan Melayu (fictional)

INAH – Yusof’s Secretary at Utusan Melayu (fictional)

WATI – Yusof’s neighbor at Jalan Eunos (fictional)

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ABOUT YUSOF ISHAK

The eldest of nine children, Yusof Ishak was born in Perak on Aug 12, 1910. His father, Ishak Ahmad, was a civil servant who was posted to Singapore when he

was 13 to be the Assistant Inspector of Fisheries.

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He attended Victoria Bridge School (now Victoria School) for his primary education before entering Raffles Institution (R.I). He was one of 13 students and the only Malay in the Queen’s Scholarship class. He missed out on the scholarship by a few points.

Mr Yusof not only excelled in his studies but he was also a good athlete, representing RI in many games including hockey, cricket, swimming, water polo, basketball, boxing and weightlifting. As a boxer, he won the Aw Boon Par cup in

1932. In weightlifting, he became the national lightweight champion in 1933.

His father, who was an active member of the Singapore Malay Union, introduced him to politics. It was also there at the Union that the future

president would get his first taste of leadership by becoming a youth leader.

In 1938, Yusof Ishak started Singapore’s first Malay newspaper along with 20 Malay leaders. The paper, Utusan Melayu, was fully owned and financed by the Malays and

addressed issues faced by the Malay community while focusing on education.

In 1948, he wed Noor Aishah Mohd Salim at the age of 39. The marriage was arranged and she was 16 years old at that time. Noor Aishah would later bear

him two daughters and a son.

7After the war, Utusan Melayu, which had been closed during the Japanese

occupation, reopened in 1945. In 1957, Mr Yusof moved from Singapore to live in Kuala Lumpur, and the Utusan Melayu headquarters also shifted there.

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ABOUT YUSOF ISHAK

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Following PAP’s win at the 1959 election and after Singapore achieved self-government, he was appointed Yang di-Pertuan Negara of Singapore, or Head of State.

Yusof Ishak officially became Singapore’s first president on Aug 9 1965, the day the nation gained independence.

As president of the newly independent Singapore, he reached out to the people to reassure citizens stunned by the country’s ejection from Malaysia. He visited constituencies around the island, standing in an open Land Rover, walking for

hours in the hot sun.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew opened Yusof Ishak Secondary School on July 29, 1966. It remains the only school named after a Singapore president.

“No man need feel that to belong to a particular religion puts him at a disadvantage or gives him an advantage,” were the words that echoed throughout the nation in

his 1968 New Year message. “This is how things are in Singapore,” he added, “and this is how things must always be in our country. Only in this way can a multiracial

society like Singapore live in peace and prosperity.”

His health started to fail in 1968 and he was hospitalised for heart trouble and other illnesses. He died of heart failure in Nov 23, 1970, while still in office, and

was buried at the Kranji State Cemetary.

His portrait appears on the Singapore Portrait Series currency notes introduced in 1999.

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SCENE BREAKDOWN

ACT 1

PROLOGUE

SCENE 1 1966 Hari Raya at Melati House

SCENE 2 1933 Ishak’s House

SCENE 3 1939 Kampung Clearing

SCENE 4 1933 Ishak’s House

SCENE 5 1939, 1946, 1949 Utusan Office at Queen Street

SCENE 6 1942, Utusan Roof

ACT 2

SCENE 1 1959 Istana

SCENE 2 1948 Kampong Eunos

SCENE 3 1955 Car

SCENE 4 1951 Aziz’s House, Gombak

SCENE 5 1960 Melati House

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SCENE BREAKDOWN

ACT 3

SCENE 1 1962 Melati House

SCENE 2 1943 Tasik Taiping

SCENE 3 1954 Utusan Roof

SCENE 4 1957 Utusan Office, Singapore

SCENE 5 Utusan Office, Singapore

ACT 4

SCENE 1 1959, Utusan Office, KL

SCENE 2 1955, Ishak’s House, Perak

SCENE 3 1959 Perak, Orchid Garden

SCENE 4 1961 Padang. Singapore

SCENE 5 23 November 1970

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CAST

DALIFAH SHAHRIL Mas / Inah / Aishahton

Dalifah Sharil’s involvement in theatre began in 1999 when she first joined Teater Kami Limited as a facilitator. She has since performed, coordinated and managed various performing arts projects and events. Dalifah has been the leading role to numerous sold out performances such as Jumaat 6 Pagi, C.I.N.T.A, Balada Tun Fatimah, NAKED and to date, Dalifah has acted in more than 60 theatre performances. Her latest leading TV appearances were Warta Heran by Eaglevision, Percaya Lagi by DV Studios (August 2014) and Holiday Gone Wrong by BOS Pictures (October 2014). Other than being on television and live stage, Dalifah is also a voice-over actor for dubbing, character voicing and voice-over assignments with commercial companies, local Malay radio station – Warna 94.2FM, and several production houses. Dalifah believes that she should share her knowledge. Basing on her experience and certification through The College of Teachers, United Kingdom, she teaches speech and drama to students in kindergartens, primary and secondary school. She has mentored several drama programmes including an episode in Suria’s reality story telling competition, Cucu Tok Selampit by Unit 8 Productions and a dramaturg for Plus 65 Productions.

ERWIN SHAH ISMAIL Aziz Ishak / Samad Ismail

Erwin is the first male Singaporean to graduate from LASALLE College of the Arts’ BA(Hons) Acting. Previously a computer network engineer, he has established himself as a trilingual actor, singer and musician. Nominated twice for Best Supporting Actor at the Life! Theatre Awards, his notable stage credits include Romeo & Juliet (W!ld Rice); Othello (SRT); National Broadway Company (EsplanadePresents); Spring Awakening (Pangdemonium); Boom (Sight Lines); 天冷就回来 (The Theatre Practice); Dark Room x8 (Esplanade); Mosaic (Take Off) and Off Centre (EsplanadePresents). He has also performed touring shows abroad in Malaysia, Philippines, Scotland and Peru.

Television credits include Hilmi in Interns (MediaCorp Suria); the voice of Shuhaimi in Heartland Hubby (MediaCorp Ch5); the narrator in Every Singaporean Son (Nat Geo) and Rico in The Kitchen Musical (AXN) which was nominated Best Drama Series at the 2012 International Emmy Awards. 

Erwin is very grateful to perform Zizi Azah’s Yusof as this marks his first Malay theatre production.

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CAST

FARAH ONG Sri / Samsiah / Lily Ishak

Farah Ong is a multi-disciplinary arts practitioner - actress, performance artist, art-maker who is constantly working towards organic diversification of her artistic vocabulary. Having graduated from LASALLE College of the Arts majoring in Fine Art Photography, Farah has performed across Asia and the Middle East. Recently, her photography works was exhibited in the Stockholm Pride Fringe Exhibition. Rooted strongly with her background in theatre, she is now exploring the cross-disciplinary practice of photography and performance in her works. This can be seen in her collaborative and solo performance art pieces. She feels that sometimes love makes us numb, culture turns us characterless and religion leaves us being faithless. And she is hopeful that art-making or viewing can guide an individual find solace within our constant existentialist questioning. Her upcoming production for 2015 include Projek Suitcase, a monologue festival by Teater Ekamatra, directing her students for Little Arts Academy’s 7th Anniversary Children’s Production and Future of Imagination 10, a performance art festival. When not working, Farah enjoys her solitude and indulges in aimless joyrides on her Vespa. She likes chancing upon quiet spots in this not so quiet island.

NAJIB SOIMAN Ishak Jenaton / Ramley Ishak / Tunku Abdul Rahman

A prominent figure on stage as well as screen, Najib Soiman is an award winning actor present in both the Malay and English scenes. Having been in the scene for over two decades, Najib has done numerous work locally, regionally as well as internationally. Some of his notable appearances include works in Croatia, Austria, Italy, Japan and China.Besides being known for his acting chops, Najib is also an avid writer, playwright and director. His visions are boundless, displaying themselves in a slew of platforms; from black-box theatre to musical stage, and even concert halls and rock concerts. Taking an active role in theatre education, Najib is currently a trainer of drama at Temasek Polytechnic and an adjunct lecturer of acting and production at Singapore Polytechnic and also lecturer for South East Asian Theatre at NAFA.

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CAST

SANI HUSSIN Yusof Ishak

Sani Hussin began his acting career in 1992 with Teater Kami in their First Youth theatre production. Since then, Sani has directed seven plays and acted in more than 30 plays in English and Malay. Sani has worked with numerous theatre companies such as Teater Kami, Teater Ekamatra, Dramaplus, ACT 3, Action Theatre, Actor’s Studio and Dramabox. His stage credits include Lantai T Pinkie, Salina, Pentas Opera, Roshomon, Anak Melayu, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fugitives, Causeway, Caucasian Calk Circle, Indra Bangsawan, Free and The Trojan Women. Sani is also actively involved in local TV productions and has acted in more than 50 TV dramas and films. Among his TV and film credits include the award winning series Soldadu 1 & 2, Singapore Short Stories, SP4, Bukit Chandu, Singapore Shakes Series, Ajna, Roman Picisan, Sayang Semuanya, 9 lives, Police & Thief (season 2-6) and Bisikan Bayangan. His directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream (in Malay) Festival Pintu, MAT CD, Penantian and Sidang Burung. At Pesta Perdana, Sani has had 10 nominations and 2 wins for Best New Actor in 1998 and Best Supporting Actor in 2009. He was also nominated for best ensemble acting for Causeway at the 2003 Cameronian Arts Awards in Kuala Lumpur and best ensemble cast for Shanmugam the Kalinga Trilogy at the 2006 Life! Theatre Awards. He is the recipient of the NAC Georgette Chan scholarship and LASALLE-SIA scholarship in 1997/98 and NAC Overseas Theatre Bursary Award for 1999/2000. Sani holds a diploma in Drama from LASALLE-SIA school of Drama and Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theatre Studies from Queensland University of Technology. Sani is currently a freelance actor, arts educator and director.

SITI KHALIJAH ZAINAL Noor Aishah (Wan)

Siti made her debut as a full-time theatre actress after she attended the year-long Theatre for Youth Ensemble programme in 2003 held by The Necessary Stage. Since then, she has been working with a wide range of theatre companies both locally and internationally, and she considers herself very lucky. She has won Best Actress for her role in Model Citizens at the Life! Theatre Awards 2011, and has been awarded The Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council in 2014.

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CREATIVE TEAM

Director/ Playwright ZIZI AZAH BTE ABDUL MAJID

Zizi Azah is a playwright and theatre director. Her plays have been staged on multiple platforms: M1 Fringe Festival 07 (How Did the Cat Get So Fat?); M1 Fringe Festival 08 (Above Us Only Sky); The Esplanade Studios Series between 2010 and 2012 (Heart(h)), The Gunpowder Trail and Bleeding Grace). In December 2012, her play Not Counted was presented to rave reviews at the Journey@Beijing Festival. How Did the Cat Get So Fat? was nominated for Best Script at the 2007 Life! Theatre Awards. Zizi was the only Singaporean sponsored by the National Arts Council to attend the 5th Annual Playwright’s Retreat at La MaMa Umbria in July 2011. During the residency, Zizi adapted The Gunpowder Trail.

As a theatre director, plays that Zizi directed include Charged by Chong Tze Chien, Mata Hati by Robin Loon and Nadirah by Alfian Sa’at, which was nominated for Best Production of the Year at the 2010 Life! Theatre Awards. At the Singapore Arts Festival 2012, she was one of five female directors who collaborated with Marion D’Cruz on Dream Country.

From August 2009 to August 2014, Zizi served as Artistic Director of Teater Ekamatra. Under her leadership, Teater Ekamatra grew as a multi-disciplinary bilingual theatre company with a reputation for delivering socially incisive work.

In 2012, Zizi was conferred the Young Artist Award by the National Arts Council.

Dramaturg HARESH SHARMA

Haresh is the Resident Playwright of The Necessary Stage. To date, he has written more than 100 plays, all of which have been staged in Singapore and at international festivals. His play, Off Centre, was selected by the Ministry of Education as a Literature text for GCE ‘N’ and ‘O’ Levels, and republished by The Necessary Stage in 2006. He was awarded Best Original Script for Fundamentally Happy, Good People and Gemuk Girls during the 2007, 2008 and 2009 Life! Theatre Awards respectively. In 2010, The Necessary Stage published these plays in the collection entitled Trilogy. Haresh is the first non-American to be awarded the prestigious Goldberg Master Playwright by New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in 2011. He is also the Singapore recipient of the 2014 Southeast Asian Writers (or S.E.A. Write) Award, which recognises and honours literary excellence in the ASEAN region.

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CREATIVE TEAM

Lighting Designer YO SHAO ANN

Shao Ann was a recipient of the Young Artist Award for Technical Theatre from the National Arts Council in 2006. Recent theatre credits include 丑小鸭 / The Ugly Duckling (SRT The Little Company), Hot Pants (Singapore Street Festival) and A Singaporean in Paris (Sing’Theatre). He received a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of California, San Diego. He is currently a Production Coordinator with The Esplanade Co Ltd. Yusof is his first collaboration with director Zizi Azah. It also marks his first foray into designing a Malay-language play in Pesta Raya.

Costume Designer FATIMAH MOHSIN

Fatimah Mohsin is one of the most celebrated and sought after make-up artist and stylist in Singapore. She has more than 15 years experience in the bridal and fashion industry. She revolutionised the bridal fashion scene when she established Fatimah Mohsin the Wedding Gallery in 2002. As a fashion designer and stylist, Fatimah’s work include gala events, concerts, films and TV performances on SURIA, in which she was awarded Best Styling at the biannual Pesta Perdana for her work on Muzika Ekstravaganza and Sinar Lebaran. Pesta Raya – Yusof marks Fatimah’s first foray into costume design for stage productions.

Set Designer IZMIR ICKBAL

IZMIR ICKBAL is pursuing an MFA in Design at the Yale School of Drama (USA). His Scenic Design credits include Deer And The Lovers and King John (Yale School of Drama); Touch and A New Saint for a New World (Yale Cabaret); Charged, Not Counted, Nadirah, The Gunpowder Trail and Heart(h) (Teater Ekamatra). He was also Costume Designer for the recent re-staging of Lady of Soul and The Ultimate ‘S’ Machine (Esplanade The Studios: Fifty) and was the Projection Designer for the concert, Bintang Hati: Malam Kenangan Zubir Said (Esplanade Presents). Izmir graduated with a BA in Theatre Studies and English Literature from the National University of Singapore and is a recipient of the NAC Arts Scholarship (graduate).

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CREATIVE TEAM

Music Director ALHAFIZ JAMAT

Alhafiz Jamat, one third of Singapore’s leading instrumental band, OrkeStar Trio, is a renowned multi-instrumentalist with a specialization in the bamboo flute or seruling. His ability to mesmerise audiences with the seruling has made Alhafiz the most sought after flautist in the local Malay arts scene.

One of the key highlights in Alhafiz’s music career was when he was given the opportunity to record a solo instrumental album entitled Dharma. Under the guidance of the late Mr Zag Fahmoa, a local album producer, Alhafiz recorded and released his debut album in 2006.

Today, Alhafiz spends much of his time composing, arranging, recording, performing and travelling with his band, OrkeStar Trio. Together with the trio, Alhafiz has travelled and represented Singapore in international music festivals in Turkey, India, Japan, Cambodia, Hawaii and Indonesia among others. In addition, Alhafiz also performs with his Malay traditional ensemble, Sri Gemilang, and sessions for music, dance and theatre productions.

Production Stage Manager SAZALI HUSSAIN

Sazali graduated from Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts with a Diploma in Arts Management in 2011. He was then selected to be part of the Esplanade Stage Management Training Program for a year under the guidance of Mike-Powell Jones, who taught a group of trainees the British system of stage managing. Upon graduating from the program, he join W!LD RICE on a full time basis as a Production Co-ordinator. He has also worked with other theatre companies such as The Necessary Stage and Teater Ekamatra. Apart from stage managing, Sazali spends his free time gaming, building Tamiya cars and mountain biking.

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PRODUCTION CREDITS

Director/ Playwright Zizi Azah bte Abdul Majid

Dramaturg Haresh Sharma

Lighting Designer Yo Shao Ann

Costume Designer Fatimah Mohsin

Set Designer Izmir Ickbal

Music Director Alhafiz Jamat

Choreographer Norisham Osman

Producer Rydwan Anwar & Hanie Nadia Hamzah (Esplanade)

Production Stage Manager Sazali Hussain

Assistant Stage Manager Norisham Osman

Make-up/ Wardrobe Fatimah Mohsin Wedding Gallery Sara Salim Suhailah Zull Bahri Norzaliza Noorzali

Surtitles Operator Fatin Nabilah Azeman

Crew Saiful Azri b Uthil

Muhd Faiq Hasif b Asri

Acknowledgements

Puan Noor Aishah and the family of the late Encik Yusof Ishak

Khir Ramley Jenaton

Kamalruzaman Ramley Jenaton

Centre 42

Teater Ekamatra

Second Charm

Harris Jahim

JP Nathan

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SEPATAH KATA DARI KETUA PEGAWAI EKSEKUTIF

Penonton yang budiman,

Seni adalah cerminan individu dan sesebuah masyarakat. Sempena ulangtahun Singapura yang ke-50 ini, tiada yang lebih meriah bagi menyemarakkan identiti kita yang berbilang budaya kecuali menerusi kesenian kaum-kaum etnik kita. Pada Pesta Raya – Pesta Seni Melayu 2015, kami merayakan jubli emas negara dengan menjemput anda untuk turut sama menghargai warisan dan budaya Melayu. Selama empat hari, kami meraikan masyarakat, kesenian serta adat resam yang menggambarkan cara hidup orang Melayu, serta megetengahkan khazanah budaya komuniti ini.

Dalam musim ke-14 ini, kami mengenang kembali para perintis kita dan sumbangan mereka yang cukup menguja. Penghormatan diberi kepada para ikon Singapura seperti Yusof Ishak, Nona Asiah, dan Salim I. Diterajui oleh Zizi Azah dan dikomisikan khas untuk Pesta Raya, Yusof merupakan kisah presiden Singapura yang pertama. Pementasan teater ini menyingkap kehidupan beliau yang jarang kita dengar, dan dedikasinya pada negara yang tidak kenal erti lelah. Kami turut menghargai pencapaian penyanyi popular 50an yang juga seorang pereka fesyen dan pendidik seni, Nona Asiah, menerusi sebuah pementasan muzik serta pameran; dan sebuah persembahan untuk memberi penghormatan kepada penyanyi pop yeh-yeh Salim I oleh puteranya, Rudi.

Kami turut menyorotkan barisan artis popular yang telah membentuk arena muzik hari ini. Para belia dan pencinta muzik dapat menjangkakan pelbagai persembahan rok Melayu dan hip hop, yang menampilkan Bushmen dari Singapura, NOAH dari Indonesia, serta Pitahati dan Altimet dari Malaysia.

Di Ruang Legar dan Teater Luar, kami terus mengekalkan program percuma yang mesra keluarga, termasuk acara-acara muzik dan tarian tradisional; peraduan bercerita untuk kanak-kanak yang diterajui oleh Djohan bin Abdul Rahman; dan talk show yang dihoskan oleh Najip Ali dengan sorotan temubual dan previu persembahan setiap hari. Dan sekiranya anda tidak puas dengan bazar tahun lalu, sertai kami sekali lagi tahun ini dengan lebih banyak kraftangan dan sajian istimewa untuk dinikmati.

Untuk memahami budaya, kita perlulah mengalaminya sendiri. Sama ada anda baru mengikuti Pesta Raya atau seorang penggemar setia, kami harap program yang disajikan musim ini dapat membangkitkan pengalaman penuh makna, bukan sahaja untuk lebih menghargai masyarakat kita, bahkan juga mendorong anda untuk mengamati khazanah budaya kita yang rencam.

Ayuh kita berpesta.

Salam Ikhlas,

Benson Puah Chief Executive Officer The Esplanade Co Ltd

16

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE

Kita kini berada di puncak suatu kematangan yang menuntut jatidiri yang dipupuk utuh. Jatidiri yang kaya dan pelbagai; dinamik dan rencam. Kita seharusnya meninjau sejarah sendiri dengan hasrat agar ia dapat memberi dorongan dan rangsangan untuk berani bermimpi. Sebagai inspirasi, kita hanya perlu mengamati wira-wira masyarakat kita – mereka yang yakin dengan gagasan yang lebih besar dari diri mereka sendiri, baik lelaki mahupun perempuan. Mereka membina asas untuk negara kelas pertama yang kita banggakan hari ini.

Encik Yusof Ishak merupakan seseorang yang berpegang teguh pada rasa tanggungjawab dan bakti pada rakyat. Sebagai seorang anak muda, beliau telah begitu terdorong untuk merubah nasib masyarakatnya. Ini terbukti melalui ketabahan beliau menubuhkan Utusan Melayu – sebuah akhbar bebas yang memberi ruang untuk masyarakat umum semasa zaman pemerintahan penjajah. Selama keberadaannya dari 1938 hingga 1959, akhbar ini merintis pencapaian dalam era pembangunan negara, di mana ramai yang tidak pasti sama ada kemerdekaan dan pemerintahan sendiri boleh melakar jalan menuju kejayaan.

Dari 1959 hingga 1965, Encik Yusof Ishak kekal sebagai satu-satunya Yang di-Pertuan Negara dalam Persekutuan Tanah Melayu yang bukan dari golongan kerabat diraja. Pada 1965, setelah dilantik sebagai Presiden pertama negara ini, beliau merupakan seorang pejuang kestabilan dan keamanan yang disokong padu oleh rakyat. Sepanjang dalam jawatan, beliau dikenali dengan kewibawaannya yang setia berkhidmat kepada rakyat. Di penghujung hayatnya juga, beliau masih melahirkan keprihatinan tentang meningkatkan taraf kehidupan masyarakat.

Semangat bakti mulia Encik Yusof Ishak mungkin dapat dikesan dari sejarah keluarganya yang berasal dari Pagar Ruyong atau Alam Minangkabau. Pada 1805, moyangnya, Jenaton telah meninggalkan Pagar Ruyong untuk ke Malaya. Orang-orang Minang memang dikenali dengan sifat merantau, dan ikrar setia pada tanah tumpangan.

Sifat mulia dalam berbakti ini dapat juga kita lihat dalam ketiga orang adik lelakinya - Aziz Ishak, Ramley Ishak, Rahim Ishak – yang pertama ialah mantan Menteri Pertanian dalam parlimen Malaysia yang pertama, yang kedua adalah seorang pagawai Kastam dan pemimpin akar umbi, dan yang bongsu pula merupakan mantan Menteri Negara Kanan (Hal Ehwal Luar) Singapura. Tidak dapat dinafikan bahawa ayah mereka, Encik Ishak Ahmad, telah menerapkan rasa khidmat dan kewajipan yang jitu dalam diri putera-puteranya.

Malam ini, kita meraikan seorang tokoh yang berani membayangkan sebuah masyarakat yang merdeka, terpelajar dan bebas, masyarakat yang harmoni biarpun mempunyai perbezaan. Kita memberi penghormatan kepada seorang insan yang berjuang untuk merubah dunia sekelilingnya. Berkat usahanya itu membekalkan kita kini dengan sebuah keberanian untuk mengimpikan sesuatu yang di luar jangkaun.

Zizi Azah bte Abdul Majid

17

WATAK-WATAK

YUSOF ISHAK JENATON – Lahir 1950. Pengasas Utusan Melayu. Yang Di-Pertuan Negara Singapra yang pertama

NOOR AISHAH (WAN) – Lahir 1932. Isteri Yusof Ishak

ISHAK AHMAD JENATON – Lahir 1886. Ayah Yusof Ishak, Pengarah Perikanan, Negeri-Negeri Selat dan Negeri-Negeri Malaya Bersekutu

AISHAHTON – Lahir 1897. Ibu Yusof Ishak

AZIZ ISHAK JENATON – Lahir 1913. Adik lelaki Yusof Ishak

WAN SAMSIAH – Isteri Aziz

RAMLEY ISHAK JENATON – Lahir 1920. Adik lelaki Yusof Ishak

FATHOM IBRAHIM (MAS) – Isteri Ramley

LILY ISHAK JENATON – Adik perempuan Yusof Ishak

SAMAD ISMAIL – Ketua Editor Utusan Melayu

TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN – Presiden UMNO, Perdana Menteri Malaya

SRI – Wartawan Utusan Melayu (rekaan)

INAH – Setiausaha Yusof di Utusan Melayu (rekaan)

WATI – Jiran Yusof di Jalan Eunos (rekaan)

18

TENTANG ENCIK YUSOF ISHAK

Encik Yusof Ishak dilahirkan di Perak pada tarikh 12 Ogos 1910. Beliau merupakan anak sulung daripada 9 orang adik beradik. Ayahnya, Encik Ishak Ahmad bekerja sebagai

seorang pegawai awam dan telah berhijrah ke Singapura untuk bekerja sebagai penolong inspektor perikanan ketika beliau berumur 13 tahun.

1

3

5

2

4

6

Beliau menuntut di Sekolah Victoria Bridge (kini Sekolah Victoria) sebelum melanjutkan pelajarannya di Institusi Raffles (RI) di mana beliau merupakan di antara13

pelajar dan satu-satunya pelajar Melayu di kelas Queen’s Scholarship.

Encik Yusof bukan sahaja cemerlang di dalam pelajarannya, malah beliau juga amat cenderung di dalam bidang sukan. Beliau sering mewakili Institusi Raffles di pertandingan sukan seperti hoki, kriket, renang, polo air, bola keranjang, tinju

dan angkat berat. Beliau pernah memenangi pingat Aw Boon Par pada tahun 1932 untuk acara tinju. Dalam acara angkat berat pula, beliau telah menjadi juara nasional

lightweight pada tahun 1933.

Bapa beliau adalah seorang penggiat Kesatuan Melayu Singapura (Singapore Malay Union) dan beliaulah yang mendedahkan Encik Yusof ke bidang politik. Di situ juga,

Encik Yusof berpeluang menjadi seorang ketua belia.

Pada tahun 1938, Encik Yusof Ishak telah mengelolakan akhbar Melayu pertama bersama 20 orang pemimpin Melayu. Akhbar Utusan Melayu dimiliki sepenuhnya oleh

orang Melayu dan mengetengahkan isu-isu yang dihadapai masyarakat Melayu dan tumpuan utamanya adalah isu pelajaran.

Pada tahun 1948, beliau mengahwini Puan Noor Aishah Mohd Salim. Ia adalah sebuah perkahwinan yang diatur keluarga. Ketika itu beliau berumur 39 tahun manakala Puan Noor Aishah pula berumur 16 tahun. Mereka telah dikurniakan 2 anak perempuan dan

seorang anak lelaki.

7Utusan Melayu telah dihentikan seketika oleh kerana Singapura berada dibawah

penjajahan Jepun dan kemudian dibuka semula pada tahun 1945. Pada tahun 1957, Encik Yusof kemudian berpindah ke Kuala Lumpur dan ibu pejabat Utusan Melayu juga

beroperasi di sana.

19

TENTANG ENCIK YUSOF ISHAK

9

11

11

8

12

10

12

Pada tahun 1959, selepas kemenangan undian PAP, Singapura menjadi sebuah negara pemerintahan sendiri. Encik Yusof telah dilantik sebagai Yang Di-Pertuan Negara atau

Ketua Negara.

Dengan secara rasminya, pada 9 Ogos 1945, Encik Yusof menjadi presiden pertama Singapura, hari yang sama Singapura mencapai kemerdekaan.

Sebagai presiden pertama Singapura, beliau mendampingi rakyat untuk menyakinkan mereka yang masih tergamam dengan pemisahan dari Malaysia. Beliau sering melawat para pengundi di serata SIngapura, berdiri di atas Land Rover dan menghabiskan masa

berjam- jam lamanya berjalan di bawah terik matahari.

Encik Lee Kuan Yew telah mendirikan Sekolah Menengah Yusof Ishak pada 26 Julai 1966. Sehingga kini, ia masih menjadi sebuah sekolah yang dinamakan sempena

seorang presiden Singapura.

“Tiada sesiapa harus merasa yang dirinya hanya tertakluk kepada sesebuah agama yang akan membuatkan dirinya terasa kekurangan atau akan memberinya

kemanfaatan” adalah kata-kata yang disampaikan kepada rakyat semasa mesej tahun baru 1968. Beliau juga menambah, “Inilah keadaan yang nyata di Singapura dan inilah

yang harus sentiasa berlaku di dalam negara kita. Hanya dengan cara inilah sebuah negara berbilang kaum seperti Singapura dapat hidup dengan aman dan makmur.”

Keadaan kesihatan beliau mula merosot pada tahun 1968 dan beliau dimasukkan ke hospital kerana menghidap penyakit jantung dan juga beberapa penyakit yang

lain. Beliau meninggal dunia pada 23 November 1970. Ketika itu beliau masih dalam tempoh jawatan. Beliau telah disemadikan di Tanah Perkuburan Negara Kranji.

Potret beliau boleh terlihat di mata wang kertas Siri Potret Singapura yang diperkenalkan pada tahun 1999.

20

URUTAN ADEGAN

BAHAGIAN 1

PROLOG

ADEGAN 1 1966 Hari Raya di Rumah Melati

ADEGAN 2 1933 Rumah Ishak

ADEGAN 3 1939 Lapangan Kampung

ADEGAN 4 1933 Rumah Ishak

ADEGAN 5 1939, 1946, 1949 Pejabat Utusan di Queen Street

ADEGAN 6 1942, Bumbung Utusan

BAHAGIAN 2

ADEGAN 1 1959 Istana

ADEGAN 2 1948 Kampong Eunos

ADEGAN 3 1955 Kereta

ADEGAN 4 1951 Rumah Aziz, Gombak

ADEGAN 5 1960 Rumah Melati

21

URUTAN ADEGAN

BAHAGIAN 3

ADEGAN 1 1962 Ruman Melati

ADEGAN 2 1943 Tasik Taiping

ADEGAN 3 1954 Bumbung Utusan

ADEGAN 4 1957 Pejabat Utasan, Singapura

ADEGAN 5 Pejabat Utusan, Singapura

BAHAGIAN 4

ADEGAN 1 1959, Pejabat Utusan, KL

ADEGAN 2 1955, Rumah Ishak, Perak

ADEGAN 3 1959 Taman Orkid, Perak

ADEGAN 4 1961 Padang, Singapura

ADEGAN 5 23 November 1970

22

BARISAN PELAKON

DALIFAH SHAHRIL Mas / Inah / Aishahton

Dalifah Shahril mula terlibat dalam teater pada 1999 apabila beliau menyertai Teater Kami Limited sebagai seorang pemudah cara. Sejak itu, beliau terus berlakon, menyelaras serta menguruskan pelbagai acara dan projek seni pementasan. Dalifah telah menyandang watak utama dalam banyak pementasan yang tiketnya habis terjual, seperti Jumaat 6 Pagi, C.I.N.T.A,  Balada Tun Fatimah, NAKED dan sehingga kini, Dalifah telah berlakon dalam lebih 60 pementasan teater. Kemunculannya yang terbaru di kaca TV pula ialah Warta Heran oleh Eaglevision, Percaya Lagi oleh DV Studios (Ogos 2014) dan Holiday Gone Wrong oleh BOS Pictures (Oktober 2014). Selain televisyen dan pentas, Dalifah juga merupakan pelakon alih suara untuk dubbing, suara watak dan tugasan alih suara dengan syarikat-syarikat komersial, stesen radio Melayu tempatan – Warna 94.2FM, dan beberapa syarikat penerbitan. Dalifah percaya bahawa beliau wajar berkongsi ilmu. Berdasarkan pengalaman dan kelulusannya dari The College of Teachers, United Kingdom, beliau mengajar pertuturan dan drama kepada murid-murid tadika serta sekolah rendah dan menengah. Beliau juga pernah bertindak sebagai mentor dalam beberapa program drama termasuk satu episod realiti peraduan bercerita di Suria, Cucu Tok Selampit oleh Unit 8 Productions, dan selaku dramaturg untuk Plus 65 Productions.

ERWIN SHAH ISMAIL Aziz Ishak / Samad Ismail

Erwin ialah warga Singapura pertama yang memperolehi ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam jurusan lakonan dari Maktab Seni LASALLE. Sebelum itu, beliau bekerja sebagai jurutera jaringan komputer, dan kini dikenali sebagai seorang pelakon tribahasa, penyanyi dan pemuzik. Pencalon Pelakon Pembantu Terbaik sebanyak dua kali dalam Anugerah Life! Theatre ini pernah tampil dalam pementasan Romeo & Juliet (W!ld Rice); Othello (SRT); National Broadway Company (Esplanade Presents); Spring Awakening (Pangdemonium); Boom (Sight Lines); If There’re Seasons…(The Theatre Practice); Dark Room x 8 (Esplanade); Mosaic (Take Off) dan Off Centre (Esplanade Presents). Beliau juga pernah berlakon dalam pementasan luar negara termasuk Malaysia, Philippines, Scotland dan Peru.

Beliau juga turut menjayakan beberapa watak dalam rancangan-rancangan televisyen termasuk Hilmi dalam Interns (MediaCorp Suria); suara latar Shuhaimi dalam Heartland Hubby (MediaCorp Ch5); pencerita dalam Every Singaporean Son (Nat Geo) dan Rico dalam The Kitchen Musical (AXN) yang telah dicalonkan bagi kategori Siri Drama Terbaik dalam Anugerah Emmy Antarabangsa 2012. 

Erwin sangat berbesar hati dapat berlakon dalam pementasan Yusof oleh Zizi Azah kerana ia merupakan pementasan teater Melayu beliau yang pertama.

23

BARISAN PELAKON

FARAH ONG Sri / Samsiah / Lily Ishak

Farah Ong ialah seorang anak seni berbilang disiplin, yang dikenali sebagai pelakon, performance artist dan pencipta seni yang gigih memperkembangkan seninya. Kelulusan Maktab Seni LASALLE dalam jurusan Fotografi Seni Halus ini pernah membuat persembahan di serata Asia dan Timur Tengah. Baru-baru ini, foto-foto beliau telah dipamerkan di Stockholm Pride Fringe Exhibition. Berbekalkan pengalamannya yang luas dalam bidang teater, beliau kini sedang mencuba untuk menggabungkan fotografi dan persembahan dalam karya-karyanya. Ini jelas sekali dalam karya-karya seni persembahan beliau yang berbentuk solo mahupun kolaborasi. Farah merasakan cinta kadangkala membikin kita kaku, budaya membuat kita hilang keperibadian dan agama menjadikan kita hilang kepercayaan. Menerusi penciptaan dan pengamatan seni, beliau berharap seseorang itu dapat menemukan jawapan tentang soal kewujudan. Karyanya yang lain pada tahun ini termasuk Projek Suitcase, sebuah festival monolog oleh Teater Ekamatra, arahannya untuk Ulangtahun Ke-7 Pementasan Kanak-Kanak oleh Little Arts Academy, dan sebuah festival seni persembahan bertajuk Future of Imagination. Pada masa lapang, Farah gemar meronda dengan Vespanya dan menemukan tempat-tempat yang tenang di pulau yang tidak begitu sepi ini.

NAJIB SOIMAN Ishak Jenaton / Ramley Ishak / Tunku Abdul Rahman

Najib Soiman merupakan seorang tokoh terkenal di pentas mahupun televisyen. Pelakon yang pernah merangkul beberapa anugerah ini telah menjayakan rancangan-rancangan Inggeris dan Melayu. Setelah lebih dua dekad berkecimpung dalam industri seni, Najib sudah menghasilkan banyak karya termasuk di peringkat serantau dan antarabangsa. Antara kemunculannya yang berkesan ialah bagi pementasan di Croatia, Austria, Itali, Jepun dan Cina. Selain dikenali dengan lakonannya, Najib juga seorang penulis, dramawan dan pengarah berbakat. Visinya yang tidak terbatas disalurkan dalam pelbagai wadah; dari pentas black-box hingga muzikal, dan juga dewan konsert serta konsert rock. Untuk memainkan peranan yang aktif dalam pendidikan teater, Najib kini seorang pelatih drama di Politeknik Temasek dan juga di Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts dalam jurusan Teater Asia Tenggara.

24

BARISAN PELAKON

SANI HUSSIN Yusof Ishak

Sani Hussin memulakan kerjaya lakonannya pada 1992 di Teater Kami dalam pementasan teater belia yang pertama anjuran kumpulan itu. Kini, Sani sudah pun mengarahkan tujuh buah drama pentas dan berlakon dalam lebih 30 buah drama Inggeris dan Melayu. Beliau telah terlibat dengan banyak kumpulan teater seperti Teater Kami, Teater Ekamatra, Dramaplus, ACT 3, Action Theatre, Actor’s Studio dan Dramabox. Antara lakonan teaternya ialah Lantai T Pinkie, Salina, Pentas Opera, Roshomon, Anak Melayu, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Fugitives, Causeway, Caucasian Calk Circle, Indra Bangsawan, Free dan The Trojan Women. Sani juga banyak terlibat dalam penerbitan TV tempatan, dan telah menjayakan lebih 50 buah drama TV dan filem. Ini termasuk siri Soldadu 1 & 2, Singapore Short Stories, SP4, Bukit Chandu, Singapore Shakes Series, Ajna, Roman Picisan, Sayang Semuanya, 9 lives, Police & Thief (musim 2-6) dan Bisikan Bayangan. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (dalam Bahasa Melayu), Festival Pintu, MAT CD, Penantian dan Sidang Burung pula adalah antara hasil arahannya. Untuk Pesta Perdana, Sani telah mendapat 10 percalonan and 2 kemenangan - Pelakon Harapan Terbaik pada 1998 dan Pelakon Pembantu Terbaik pada 2009. Pada 2003, dia dicalonkan bagi kategori lakonan berkumpulan untuk Causeway di Anugerah Seni Cameronian di Kuala Lumpur; serta Shanmugam the Kalinga Trilogy di Anugerah Life! Theatre pada 2006 untuk kategori yang sama. Beliau seorang penerima biasiswa NAC Georgette Chan dan biasiswa LASALLE-SIA pada 1997/98, serta Anugerah Biasiswa Teater Luar Negara NAC pada 1999/2000. Sani mempunyai diploma dalam bidang Drama dari Sekolah Drama LASALLE-SIA, dan ijazah Sarjana Muda Kesenian dalam Pengajian Teater dari Universiti Teknologi Queensland. Kini, Sani merupakan seorang pelakon bebas, pengarah dan pendidik seni.

SITI KHALIJAH ZAINAL Noor Aishah (Wan)

Pertama kali Siti melibatkan diri sebagai pelakon teater sepenuh masa adalah sejurus selepas beliau mengikuti program Kumpulan Teater untuk Belia oleh The Necessary Stage pada 2003 selama setahun. Semenjak itu, beliau telah bekerjasama dengan banyak kumpulan teater di dalam dan luar negara. Siti merasakan dirinya sangat bertuah sekali. Beliau telah dinobatkan sebagai Pelakon Wanita Terbaik bagi wataknya dalam Model Citizens di Anugerah Life! Theatre pada 2011, dan diberikan Anugerah Seniman Muda oleh Majlis Seni Kebangsaan pada 2014.

25

BARISAN KREATIF

Pengarah / Dramawan ZIZI AZAH BTE ABDUL MAJID

Zizi Azah adalah seorang dramawan dan pengarah teater. Karya-karya beliau telah dipentaskan di pelbagai acara: Pesta M1 Fringe 07 (How Did the Cat Get So Fat?); Pesta M1 Fringe 08 (Above Us Only Sky); Siri The Esplanade Studios antara 2010 dan 2012 (Heart(h)), The Gunpowder Trail dan Bleeding Grace). Pada Disember 2012, karyanya yang bertajuk Not Counted juga mendapat ulasan hebat di Pesta Journey@Beijing. How Did the Cat Get So Fat? telah dicalonkan untuk Skrip Terbaik di Anugerah Life! Theatre 2007. Zizi merupakan satu-satunya rakyat Singapura yang ditaja oleh Majlis Seni Kebangsaan untuk menghadiri Acara Retreat Tahunan Dramawan ke-5 di La MaMa Umbria pada Julai 2011. Sewaktu residensi itu, Zizi telah mengadaptasikan The Gunpowder Trail.

Sebagai seorang pengarah teater, karya-karya arahan Zizi termasuk Charged oleh Chong Tze Chien, Mata Hati oleh Robin Loon dan Nadirah oleh Alfian Sa’at, yang telah dicalonkan sebagai Pementasan Terbaik 2010 dalam Anugerah Life! Theatre. Di Pesta Seni Singapura 2012 pula, beliau ialah salah seorang dari lima pengarah wanita yang bergabung dengan Marion D’Cruz untuk Dream Country.

Dari Ogos 2009 hingga Ogos 2014, Zizi menyandang jawatan sebagai Pengarah Artistik Teater Ekamatra. Di bawah kepimpinannya, Teater Ekamatra telah berkembang menjadi sebuah kumpulan teater dwibahasa pelbagai disiplin yang dikenali dengan karya yang tajam pengamatan sosialnya.

Pada 2012, Zizi dinobatkan Anugerah Seniman Muda oleh Majlis Seni Kebangsaan.

Dramaturg HARESH SHARMA

Haresh ialah Dramawan Tetap di The Necessary Stage. Sehingga kini, beliau telah menulis lebih 100 buah drama, di mana kesemuanya pernah dipentaskan di Singapura dan festival antarabangsa. Karyanya, Off Centre, telah dipilih oleh Kementerian Pendidikan sebagai teks Sastera untuk peringkat GCE ‘N’ dan ‘O’. Ia juga telah diulangterbit oleh The Necessary Stage pada 2006. Beliau dianugerahkan Skrip Asal Terbaik di Anugerah Life! Theatre untuk Fundamentally Happy (2007), Good People (2008) dan Gemuk Girls (2009). Pada 2010, The Necessary Stage menerbitkan drama-dramanya dalam sebuah himpunan bertajuk Trilogy. Haresh merupakan penerima pertama anugerah berprestij Goldberg Master Playwright yang bukan warga Amerika pada 2011. Anugerah itu diberikan oleh Sekolah Seni Tisch, Universiti New York. Pada 2014 pula, beliau telah menerima Anugerah Penulis Asia Tenggara (atau S.E.A. Write) yang mengiktiraf serta memartabatkan kesusasteraan yang cemerlang di rantau ASEAN.

26

BARISAN KREATIF

Penata Cahaya YO SHAO ANN

Shao Ann merupakan penerima Anugerah Seniman Muda bagi aspek Teknikal Teater dari Majlis Seni Kebangsaan pada 2006. Antara penglibatan teaternya yang terkini ialah The Ugly Duckling (SRT The Little Company), Hot Pants (Singapore Street Festival) dan A Singaporean in Paris (Sing’Theatre). Beliau memperolehi Sarjana Seni Halus dalam bidang Teater dari Universiti California, San Diego. Kini, Shao Ann bertugas sebagai Penyelaras Produksi di The Esplanade Co. Ltd. Yusof adalah kerjasama beliau yang pertama dengan pengarah Zizi Azah, sekaligus penataaannya yang pertama untuk drama Melayu di Pesta Raya 2015.

Pereka Busana FATIMAH MOHSIN

Fatimah Mohsin, nama yang tidak asing lagi dalam bidang tata rias dan beliau juga merupakan seorang juru gaya yang digemari ramai. Beliau mempunyai pengalaman selama 15 tahun dalam industri perkahwinan dan fesyen. Beliau telah merubah industri fesyen perkahwinan apabila beliau mendirikan Fatimah Mohsin the Wedding Gallery pada tahun 2002.

Sebagai seorang pereka fesyen dan juru gaya, beliau telah menjayakan beberapa acara seperti konsert, filem dan rancangan televisyen di saluran Suria. Atas kegigihannya, beliau telah dianugerahkan ‘Reka Imej Terbaik’ untuk rancangan Muzika Ekstravaganza dan Sinar Lebaran di Pesta Perdana . “Yusof”, merupakan produksi pementasan pertama beliau sebagai seorang pereka kostum.

Pereka Set IZMIR ICKBAL

Izmir Ickbal sedang mengikuti kursus Sarjana Seni Halus dalam bidang Rekaan di Sekolah Drama Yale (Amerika Syarikat). Rekaan set beliau termasuk untuk pementasan Deer And The Lovers dan King John (Sekolah Drama Yale); Touch dan A New Saint for a New World (Kabaret Yale); Charged, Not Counted, Nadirah, The Gunpowder Trail dan Heart(h) (Teater Ekamatra). Beliau juga adalah Pereka Busana untuk pementasan semula Lady of Soul and The Ultimate ‘S’ Machine (Esplanade The Studios: Fifty) dan Pereka Unjuran untuk konsert Bintang Hati: Malam Kenangan Zubir Said (Esplanade Presents). Izmir mempunyai ijazah Sarjana Muda dalam Pengajian Teater dan Sastera Inggeris dari Universiti Nasional Singapura dan merupakan seorang penerima Biasiswa Seni NAC (siswazah).

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BARISAN KREATIF

Pengarah Muzik ALHAFIZ JAMAT

Alhafiz Jamat adalah salah satu anggota kumpulan, OrkeStar Trio yang merupakan seorang pemuzik yang berbilang bakat terutama sekali dengan alat muzik seruling bambu. Oleh kerana dengan kemahiran itulah yang membuat Alhafiz menjadi pemain seruling tersohor di arena seni tempatan.

Antara kejayaannya adalah apabila beliau diberi peluang untuk merakamkan sebuah album solo instrumental yang dinamakan Dharma. Dengan bimbingan seorang penerbit album, mendiang Encik Zag Fahmoa, Alhafiz berjaya merakamkan dan mengeluarkan album itu pada tahun 2006.

Kini, Alhafiz meluangkan banyak waktunya dengan mencipta lagu, membuat rakaman muzik dan persembahan bersama kumpulannya OrkeStar Trio. Mereka telah mewakili Singapura dengan membuat persembahan di festival-festival muzik antarabangsa seperti di Turki, India, Jepun, Kemboja, Hawaii dan Indonesia. Selain itu, Alhafiz juga membuat persembahan bersama kumpulan muzik tradisional, Sri Mahligai dan juga sebagai seorang pemuzik iringan untuk persembahan muzik, tarian dan teater.

Pengurus Pentas Produksi SAZALI HUSSAIN

Sazali mempunyai kelulusan Diploma dalam Pengurusan Seni dari Akademi Seni Halus Nanyang pada 2011. Beliau kemudian dipilih untuk mengikuti Program Latihan Pengurusan Pentas Esplanade selama setahun di bawah bimbingan Mike-Powell Jones, yang mengajar sekumpulan pelatih mengenai sistem pengurusan pentas British. Setelah tamat latihan dalam program itu, beliau bertugas sepenuh masa di W!LD RICE sebagai Penyelaras Produksi. Sazali juga pernah bekerja dengan kumpulan-kumpulan teater lain seperti The Necessary Stage dan Teater Ekamatra. Selain dari menguruskan pentas, Sazali memenuhi masa luangnya dengan bermain game, memasang kereta Tamiya dan berbasikal gunung.

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PENGHARGAAN PRODUKSI

Pengarah / Dramawan Zizi Azah bte Abdul Majid

Dramaturg Haresh Sharma

Penata Cahaya Yo Shao Ann

Pereka Busana Fatimah Mohsin

Pereka Set Izmir Ickbal

Pengarah Muzik Alhafiz Jamat

Koreografer Norisham Osman

Penerbit Rydwan Anwar & Hanie Nadia Hamzah (Esplanade)

Pengurus Pentas Produksi Sazali Hussain

Penolong Pengurus Pentas Norisham Osman

Solekan / Busana Fatimah Mohsin Wedding Gallery Sara Salim Suhailah Zull Bahri Norzaliza Noorzali

Pengendali Sarikata Fatin Nabilah Azeman

Kru Saiful Azri b Uthil Muhd Faiq Hasif b Asri

Penghargaan

Puan Noor Aishah serta keluarga Allahyarham Yusof Ishak

Khir Ramley Jenaton

Kamalruzaman Ramley Jenaton

Centre 42

Teater Ekamatra

Second Charm

Harris Jahim

JP Nathan

29UEN: 199205206G Information correct at time of print.

EsplanadeSG PestaRayaFestival

EsplanadeSingapore#esplanadewww.esplanade.com

SponsorPenaja

Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Official Media Media Rasmi

Mediacorp Pte Ltd

Programme Sponsor Penaja Acara

Second Chance Properties Ltd

Pesta Raya 2015 is made posssible with the generous support of

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