The 'Cammies' make a grand return to celebrate the Malaysian arts scene

Datuk Faridah Merican (left) presenting the Best Original Script award (theatre) for 'A Notional History' to Five Arts Centre members (from second left) Rahmah Pauzi, Faiq Shazwan Kuhiri and Mark Teh at the 18th Boh Cameronian Awards at PJPAC on May 14. Photo: Kakiseni

An indie stage production about growing up with an absent father, an acclaimed documentary performance that reconsiders the future by excavating a part of the nation's Malayan Emergency history, a joyous contemporary Christmas musical (first staged in 2005) that keeps on giving, an experimental dance duo performance (which included audience movement), and a grand Chinese classical concert series were some of the main winners at the 18th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards (18BCAA), which made made a comeback at PJPAC's main Stage 1 venue in Petaling Jaya last night.

After a pause for almost three years, the BCAA handed out a total of 30 awards and a total of RM44,000 cash prizes to arts practitioners from various fields, including dance, music, musical theatre and theatre, which kept productions going through the pandemic and beyond.

The event (also known as the "Cammies") was presented by Boh Plantations and Kakiseni, with chartered accounting firm BDO Malaysia as its new balloting partner. A total of 101 theatre productions - across the last three years - were selected by the BCAA judging committee to feature at this year's awards ceremony.

Puan Sri Tiara Jacquelina presenting an award to Nick Choo, composer-playwright, for the musical show 'Follow The Light'. Photo: Kakiseni

"This year’s 18th edition brings with it a much deeper significance. It is a strong testament to the indomitable will of the human spirit, casting the spotlight on passion, tenacity and versatility," said Jason Foo, BOH Plantations CEO, in his welcoming speech.

Theatrethreesixty's 24 Jam Dalam 37 Tahun, which played in early March 2020 (a few days before the first pandemic lockdown in Malaysia), took home three BCAA awards, including Best Director (Christopher Ling), Best Actor In A Leading Role (Shah Shaha) and Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Anissa Azis).

Paul Augustin, Penang House of Music director, standing alongside Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra's Chan Kok Hoong, a musician and project manager. Photo: Kakiseni

Playwright-composer Nick Choo also had a busy night when he won Best Musical Direction and Best Original Book for the heartwarming festive season musical Follow The Light, presented by theatrethreesixty. It also won the Best Original Music and Lyrics, Best Ensemble/ Group Performance and Best of Nominees awards.

On the theatre front, Five Arts Centre received two awards for the thought-provoking show A Notional History – Best Original Script and Best of Nominees.

The performing arts company also saw its dance show Anggota, featuring dancers Lee Ren Xin and Tan Bee Hung, picking up the Best Group Performance and Best Choreographer in a Feature Length Work awards.

BOH Plantations CEO Jason Foo (left) honouring Datuk Mohd Baharim Mohd Sharip, a veteran “Dondang Sayang” champion from Melaka, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Photo: Kakiseni

In the music category, Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra KL's swoonsome Dream Of The Red Chamber concert series won Best Group Performance – Instrumental, Best Production Values and also the Best of Nominees award.

In true awards show fashion, and because the proceedings took place in a proper theatre at PJPAC, the BCAA was able to showcase excerpts from the five “Best Of” nominees’ shows – A Notional History presented by Five Arts Centre (Theatre), Dark Light presented by Young Choral Academy (Music), Dream Of The Red Chamber presented by Lee Rubber Chinese Orchestra KL (Music), Follow The Light presented by theatrethreesixty (Musical Theatre) and N2 presented by La Danza Theatre (Dance).

Yayasan Sime Darby chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin (left) presenting an award to dancer/choreographer Lee Ren Xin for the dance duo show 'Anggota'. Photo: Kakiseni

“It is not just about one famous person up there. We wanted to put faces to the real people who have been loyal to the arts, to those who have plied their craft despite all the challenges that were hurled at them in these last couple of years,” said Christoper Ling, the BCAA show director.

After a long absence, the Lifetime Achievement Award also made a comeback this year, and the honour went to Datuk Mohd Baharim Mohd Sharip, 78, a veteran “Dondang Sayang” champion from Melaka.

Jyotsna Prakash (right) receiving the Best Music and Sound Design (dance) award (for 'Kinnara – Moon People' presented by Geetha Shankaran Dance) from Yayasan Sime Darby chief executive officer Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin. Photo: Kakiseni

Dondang Sayang – listed as an intangible cultural heritage by Unesco – is a traditional Malay art that is still played in Melaka by the Malays, Baba Nyonya, Chetti and Melaka Portuguese communities.

Mohd Baharim joins an illustrious list of Boh Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award recipients including Datuk Krishen Jit (2002), Datuk Ramli Ibrahim (2003), Datuk Faridah Merican (2004), Dalang Dollah Baju Merah (2005), Datuk Syed Alwi Syed Hassan (2006), Datuk Professor Ghulam-Sarwar Yousof (2007), Lee Lee Lan (2008) and The Temple of Fine Arts (2009).

The last on-site BCAA was held in a hotel in Kuala Lumpur in April 2019, while an online version of the awards was presented in July 2020. The BCAA was established in 2002.

Full winners list here.