By Dian Elisatun & Azmi Malik
GOMBAK, 1 December 2014: Juragan Pentas production house with the collaboration of IIUM Acoustic Band and NafasTariclub achieved their objective to introduce the concept of Musical theatre in IIUM.
This was the successful trial when about 800 audiences consisted of IIUM students and outsiders gathered in Main Auditorium on night of 1 December 2014 to watch Natrah Theatre musical. This theatre was also attended by the Director of Centre of International Islamic Culture, Dr. Mahadi J Murad.
The theatre that ran nearly three hours, told the real life story about a Dutch woman named Maria Huberdina Hertoghas Natrah, who faced a self-conflict in religion, family and love.
The beauty of the theatre lies in the classical Malay language, culture and live music background that are embedded in the play along with slice of suspense and humour.
In relation to that, the case of Natrah is popular among law students of IIUM. It inspired the students to produce this theatre since Prof. Ahmad Ibrahim was a legal father of Malaysia as an important figure who championed the case of Natrah in 1950. Not many people know that the name Ahmad Ibrahim is now immortalised as the name of the law school at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
With the collaboration of IIUM Acoustic band and NafasTari club has captivated the eyes of the audience since the element of music colored the play along the show.
According to the conductor of IIUM Acoustic band, Hasmin Syafiq, the most challenging part in theatre musical was to merge the cue of music with the play as well as to develop mood to the musician to make the play alive. Furthermore, he believed that it can be improved with a comprehensive training.
Director of the theatre, Mustakim Mazlan expressed his gratitude when the promotion was running smoothly than expected as the tickets were sold out in only three days before the posters and teaser were launched.
He mentioned the most breathtaking part in handling musical theatre was to produce the script that has a significant value and message to suit the storyline and music. Also, managing more than hundred cast and collaborating crew was a never easy task.
Finally he was happy with the supportive feedback and he hoped that the musical theater should not end here but instead should be conducted for larger audience.
Photos by Ikhmal Bahri