Lim Chui Choo
Witty and whimsical, The Mikado – the legendary 1885 British comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan – uses a fictional Japanese setting as a thinly veiled satire of British bureaucratic incompetence, institutional corruption and political absurdity.
The 10-member local cast of Overtoned Project, in collaboration with the Penang Symphony Society, gave their heart and soul to the two-act production. Their performance, staged at Komtar on 7 June, was captivating and thoroughly delightful.
The clear lyrical voices of the talented young cast brought to life the beauty of the music of Gilbert and Sullivan. The earnest acting and youthful spirit of the suitably cast amateurs struck a chord with the responsive audience.
Standout performances
Natalie Makulin from Sabah was outstanding as the old-looking “witch”, her powerful voice impressing local and international audience members.
The rest of the talented cast are from Kuala Lumpur, except for Su Lin Poh of Penang, an engineer by profession. Her love for music and musical performance guided her in her artistic journey. Su Lin doubled up as narrator and as Tikki-Tay, a classmate of the playful Yum-Yum.
Yum-Yum was played by Chee Hui Hui, the co-founder and co-producer of The Overtoned Project, together with Lee Huan Lin, who played Ko-Ko.
- Sign up for Aliran's free daily email updates or weekly newsletters or both
- Make a one-off donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN), Maybank a/c 507246118995 or CIMB a/c 8004240948
- Make a regular pledge or periodic auto-donation to Aliran
- Become an Aliran member
Daniel Chin was impressive as the Mikado, the absolute ruler whose arrival demanded a real beheading. He provided a commanding presence that set the stage for roars of laughter: the audience erupted as he stood looking on while Ko-Ko, the officially appointed but incompetent executioner, read out a scroll of fictional witnesses to a fake “execution” meant to satisfy the ruler’s bloodthirsty decree. The list of names cleverly included local politicians, among them Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
This desperate move was meant to resolve the predicament of deceiving the Mikado. Ko-Ko had lied about carrying out a farcical “execution” of the Mikado’s disguised son, Nanki-Poo, who was actually still alive and in hiding so he could freely marry his true love, Yum-Yum. The ruler had previously given his son an ultimatum: either marry Katisha, a fearsome older noblewoman, or face execution.
Lee Huan Lin, who played Ko-Ko, portrayed an endearing “Ah Beng” lover – a brilliantly localised, rough-around-the-edges persona – albeit a bungling executioner, which resonated hilariously with the audience.
The arrogant and corrupt Pooh-Bah, who wears many hats, from chancellor to treasurer to “Lord High Everything Else”, was played to the hilt by a cheeky Lai Yi Man. In a display that hilariously mirrors modern politicians who shamelessly covet multiple public offices and portfolios simultaneously, Pooh-Bah was the coroner as well as the attorney general, all rolled into one, to validate the fake execution.
A local twist
It is to the credit of Overtoned Project that the local production was spiced up with a localised spin on the classic material – as in “koay teow goreng” and “sambal”, two Penang heritage foods – to add local flavour to the character’s signature song, A More Humane Mikado.
“Jialat liao lo!” – a Manglish expression meaning “Oh no, we’re really in trouble now!” – was a clever comedic twist by the cast to reframe the song The Flowers That Bloom in the Spring. Sung in chorus, the number urged the “compliant” Ko-Ko to marry Katisha instead.
Echoes of Malaysian politics
Sound familiar? The alleged involvement of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in the “corporate mafia” exposed by Bloomberg comes to mind, where a special task force was set up to investigate the allegations after a public uproar. Police have since said they found no evidence linking the MACC to the claims, though calls for a royal commission of inquiry continue.
Right-thinking people in Malaysia are befuddled: how is it possible for the MACC to investigate itself if it was also part of the task force?
The audience may draw parallels between the Malaysian theatrical politics scenario, whether local or foreign, and the plot of The Mikado. Both share deceit and bureaucratic incompetence, fuelled by a feudalistic mindset among politicians that is a relic of colonial Britain.
The talented young cast of The Mikado deserve more than applause. Their dedicated and exemplary performance serves as an inspiration for young, aspiring musicians.
Perhaps Malaysian politicians, navigating the twists and turns of the country’s theatrical politics, can even take a leaf from the talented cast to at least give their very best efforts in their roles?
Lim Chui Choo is an activist with a keen interest in sustainable development and ecological protection, especially in Penang and the Klang Valley.
The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
