WFH@klpac (On Demand): Bollywood Dreams
Notice to viewers
I decline the title of Iron Cook and accept the lesser title of Zinc Saucier, which I just made up. Uhh… also, comes with double prize money. Leela's gonna kill me. Switzerland is small and neutral! We are more like Germany, ambitious and misunderstood!
Leela, Bender, we're going grave robbing. Calculon is gonna kill us and it's all everybody else's fault! And I'd do it again! And perhaps a third time! But that would be it. Leela, are you alright? You got wanged on the head.
Through a pandemic…
A transnational collaboration…
Countless Zoom rehearsals…
Bollywood Dreams is a labour of love that was almost two years in the making. Despite the odds including numerous cast changes, it finally premiered to a live audience when performances were permitted in March 2021 after 5 long months.
On one hand, Bollywood Dreams played to five full houses. However, many more could not catch the show due to the limited capacity in line with distancing guides. And just a short 39 days later, live performances would be shut down again.
If there’s one thing that the pandemic has taught us is that we have to keep dreaming. Bollywood Dreams premiered online via CloudTheatre in June. The recording will now be made available on CloudTheatre Revive where you can view it anytime, anywhere using their pay-per-view (on demand) service.
Directed by Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, Bollywood Dream’s heart-warming story of two boys with big dreams is based on “Big Head Potato Head” by Mark Beau de Silva (Malaysia) and co-adapted by Tilottama Pillai (New York).
The show was originally staged in March 2021 at Pentas 1, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac).
WFH@klpac (On Demand) is supported by MyCreative Ventures, Cultural Economy Development Agency and Program Penjana Malaysia.
Show Details
Presented by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat & The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre
Ticket Price:
RM35 (48-hour streaming period)
RM100 POTA (120-hour streaming period, Patron of the Arts will be recognised on klpac’s website)
If you cannot afford a ticket in this price range, discounted tickets available for students via WhatsApp at +6018 227 7212 or click https://wa.me/message/AO66DTENG2L4M1
Language:
Performed in English with a bit of Tamil (with Eng subtitles)
Runtime:
120 minutes
Streaming Platform:
CloudTheatre Revive (Viewing FAQ here)
Synopsis
Set in 1980s Sungai Petani, two brothers; Pappu and Babu live with their ‘Amma’.
‘Go. Study. Play. Anything, but quietly. I do not want to hear you’, Amma says. And so, the two boys study and so the boys play, oh and how they play! Of heroes and heroines, villains and sidekicks. Of Amitabh and Rajini, and every movie star that has graced the silver screen!
In between the humdrum need to clean the household laundry and excel in times table, Pappu and Babu escape into a world of epic backdrops and thumping music, of chorus girls and backup dancers.
Will the boys’ dreams come true, or is Bollywood, forever out of reach?
The Team
Director/Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM
Playwright & Co-Adapter: Mark Beau de Silva
Co-Adapter: Tilottama Pillai
Choreographer/Cast: Zhafir Muzani
Set Designer: Zen Tan
Sound Designer: Mike Thomas
Lighting Designer & Operator: Yusman Mokhtar
Video Production: Khairil M. Bahar
Creative Guy: Coebar Abel
Set Builder: David Wong and team – Mohd Irwan b. Abdul Halim, Mohd Yusri b. Abdul Rafat, Wong Tay Sy, Yip Boh Kuan, Lorry Aziz
FOH Sound Operator: Mathanakumar a/l Murthi
Production Manager: Naomi Lim
Stage Managers: Catherine Lee, Yeo Kok Wei
Technicians: Mohd Helmi Md Khairi, Mohd Rizal
Follow Spot Operator: Lim Ang Swee
Cast: Tin Raman, Ian Skatu, Ranessa Theyakaraja, Charles Roberts, Alyce Michelle Joseph
Ensemble: Amirah Redza, Ayushna, Charity Yong, Devakar Rajah, Feyee Bethany, Nikkhil, Nisya Aziz, Sriyani Rao, Syarvin Sugumar, Tristen Zijuin
Musicians: Sivenesh (tabla), Shaan (sitar)
klpac & TAS’ Covid-19 Relief Fundraising
klpac & TAS’ losses due to Covid-19 have exceeded RM2 million and its venue has been deprived of audiences for 377 days. It requires a minimum of RM90,000 per month to stay afloat. Each ticket sold goes toward this immediate cause. You can also make a donation of any amount via https://klpac.sugo.dev/donations/.
