PROJEK SUITCASE 2016 by Teater Ekamatra

“Exploring the Modern Malay Identity in Projek Suitcase 2016″

Reviewer: Alisa Maya Ravindran
Performance: 2 December 2016

By the Book by E Lee Loong  and Rizman Putra
Rizman Putra’s performance in By the Book as an actor disgruntled by the restrictions imposed by a “by-the-book” director is powerful and gripping. Rizman performs the role of an “over-acting” actor skillfully, exaggerating his lines and movement so that they are just believable enough. He also executes the physical theatre elements well, never missing a beat nor letting his weariness show. Overall, Rizman’s one-man show is outstanding, infusing the right balance of comedy and seriousness. This performance prompts the audience to think critically about our tendency to conform to a script in the play of life, such that we all become indistinguishable robots in the end.

#IstillwantmyPR by Shida Mahadi and the Art of Strangers
This segment is based on the struggle Shida Mahadi continues to face in attaining Permanent Residence status in Malaysia, years after marrying her Malaysian husband. This performance’s autobiographical status lends an emotional authenticity which is  deeply moving. Shida’s voice as a modern Malay woman, and more importantly a modern Singaporean woman shines through in the show, raising questions about the struggle to embrace culture and modernity.  The performance also questions what “home” truly means, if one’s homes of Malaysia and Singapore can at times be the very thing that seems to push one away. Shida’s control over her emotions and the way she owns the meaning behind her lines is truly what makes the show memorable.

Cabut by Elvira Holmberg and Emanorwatty Saleh
Emanorwatty Salleh’s collaboration with Elvira Holmberg explores the lives of contemporary Malay women: gender roles and expectations. Emarnowatty’s character traverses time, tracing the adventures of a girl who is a “warrior princess” with a thirst for adventure who turns into a disgruntled wife, questioning where the love between her and her partner that she once though was so strongmhas disappeared to. She demonstrates control over her character, showing both the inner whimsical self of her character as well as the pained frustrations of the older self equally convincingly. This is probably one of the strongest performances of the night.

Jump the Q by Hirzi Zulkiflie and Izzat Yusoff
The final show of the night, Jump the Q is a fitting end to a night of skits that pushes the audience out of their comfort zones. The emotional performance by Hirzi Zulkiflie, who plays the role of a suicidal man’s ruminations on the afterlife, has the audience captured from beginning to end. Hirzi and his ability to move fluidly to showcase both the darker and more light-hearted facets of his character, makes the performance an engaging one from start to end.

All in all, Projek Suitcase 2016 is a well-thought out collection of stories, performed by a cast with great emotional range who truly create tangible characters with emotional depth—making for a night of poignant and powerful theatre.