Celebrate this National Day virtually with KLPac's award-winning 'Tunku The Musical', starring Tony Eusoff (right) in the titular role. Photo: KLPac
MUSICAL: TUNKU THE MUSICAL
Date and Time: Aug 31-Sept 7
In conjunction with our upcoming National Day, KLPac will be releasing an archival recording of Tunku The Musical on YouTube, starting noon on Aug 31.An original creation by director Joe Hasham for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary celebrations, it is timely to revisit this production now. Written by Lim Chuang Yik and Teng Ky-Gan starring Tony Eusoff, Maria Yasmin and more, this musical brings you through a 50-year journey that has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday morning on Aug 31, 1957, when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country.
As a fun anecdote, Hollywood star Mel Gibson appeared at the Gala Night of this musical in 2007.
Tunku The Musical will stream for free on KLPac’s Youtube channel.
More info here.
The MPO Patriotism Series is a seven part digital concert series will pay tribute to several iconic patriotic works and folk songs. Photo: MPO
MUSIC: MPO PATRIOTISM SERIES
Date and Time: Aug 31-Sept 16
In conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is presenting a new digital concert called the MPO Patriotism Series.
Led by conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose, this seven-part digital concert series will pay tribute to iconic patriotic works and Malaysian folk songs.
The first video of the series, which will be released on Aug 31, will feature a special rendition of Tanggal 31 Ogos (popularised by pop icon Sudirman) performed by the MPO and Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra musicians.
A rendition of Negaraku and Bahtera Merdeka, which will be released on National Day on MPO TV.
Other works to following in the coming weeks are Suhaimi Mohd Zain’s Cindai, Syed Haron Ahmad’s Warisan, Tan Sri Ahmad Merican’s Tanah Pusaka, Tuan Haji Madzhi Johari’s Puteri Santubong and Datuk Mokhzani Ismail’s Malaysia Prihatin.
Musicians and guest stars in this series include the MPO Patron Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, ORTM Music Director Datuk Mokhzani Ismail, arranger Datuk Johari Salleh, composer Tuan Haji Madzhi Johari, lyricist Hairul Anuar Harun, and popular pop artists Datuk Syafinaz Selamat and Aishah.
The MPO Patriotism Series will stream for free on the MPO TV Youtube channel.
More info here.
VIDEO: 37 YEARS OF ARTS, ACTIVISM & ADVOCACY
Date and Time: Ongoing
It doesn’t always have to be a big parade to celebrate our National Day. Sometimes, a more artistic retrospective approach will do us well to get us thinking about our country.
In this special video by Five Arts Centre, catch theatre veteran actor Anne James and dancer Lee Ren Xin in an experimental movement piece overlaid with posters and clips of past shows (from Five Arts Centre) that have a different nationalistic bent.
37 Years Of Arts, Activism & Advocacy can be streamed on Five Arts Centre’s Youtube channel.
VIDEO: THE MERDEKA CHOIR
Date and Time: Ongoing
If you’re a history enthusiast or vintage vinyl collector, head over to the Penang House Of Music’s Instagram page and tune in to a series of Malaysian classics by The Merdeka Choir, conducted by the late composer Tony Fonseka.
The short clips from The Merdeka Choir’s vinyl record include popular children’s song Trek Tek Tek, Potong Padi and Banggaan Malaya.
Interestingly, The Merdeka Choir, which was formerly known as the Radio Malaya Studio Choir, was the first national choir to record Negaraku.
More info here.
Catch this Merdeka edition variety show hosted by Datuk Faridah Merican. Photo: Handout
THEATRE: MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA! WITH FARIDAH
Date and Time: Aug 30-Sept 16, 8pm
Catch this Merdeka edition variety show hosted by the first lady of Malaysia theatre herself, Datuk Faridah Merican.
Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, the show will feature a line-up of singers, musicians, poets and dancers, all ready to bring some National Day cheer to your homes.
Don't miss an accordion cover of Saya Anak Malaysia and Warisan by Aswara graduate Amirul Nizam Abd Aziz, a monologue entitled Suatu Pagi Merdeka by Universiti Malaya's drama student Nasrul Azhar and a traditional dance performance called Lenggang Harumanis by Kumpulan Indera Tari, to name a few.
Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka! With Faridah, ticketed, will stream on Youtube.
More info here.
