Images courtesy of Dramalab & Raja Malek.
When a friend told me about Dramalab’s restaging of Jit Murad’s “Visits”, unexpectedly, it took me back to the heydays of theatre in Kuala Lumpur. It was the ’90s and 2000s, when our local arts scene flourished in the most exciting fashion. In any given month, be it an original work or adaptation, there was a stage show to check out.
Dramalab presents “Visits” at Nero, PJPAC until June 29th.
Much of that was courtesy of the Instant Cafe Theatre—founded by Jo Kukathas, Andrew Leci, Jit Murad, and Dato’ Zahim Albakri—and The Actor’s Studio, formed by husband-and-wife team Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham OAM (both institutions were established in 1989). Then came the opening of Istana Budaya in 1999, promising an international-level stage for grander shows. (Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical made its debut there in 2006). Not long after, arts and culture portal Kakiseni came into being in 2001, paving the way for the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards, becoming the answer to our very own Tony Awards.
From left: Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda & Nadia Aqilah tread the boards in Dramalab’s “Visits”
Yes, I am reminiscing (and showing my age) but it truly was a glorious period of contemporary theatre. We were treated to iconic works from the likes of A. Samad Said, Krishen Jit, Namron, and of course, Jit Murad. The late, great Jit Murad was an accomplished playwright whose works reflected contemporary Malaysian mindsets. He was an astute observer, a witty storyteller. And now, we get to experience one of his works as Dramalab, in its year-long celebration of Jit Murad’s “extraordinary life and legacy”, revitalises “Visits” for generations old and new.
The late Jit Murad (Photo from FB Dramalab)
“Visits” is a tale of three women, simply referred to as Woman, Nurse and Sister-in-law. The play is set within a high-end mental wellness facility, where Woman is receiving treatment due to a soon-to-be revealed trauma. Each woman has her own reason to be there, beyond her obligation to treatment and duty. Eventually, secrets unfurl as stories unfold. Where heated confrontations lead to tear-jerking revelations, in a delightful exchange of chaos and comedy.
I’m trying not to spoil anything here. While also hoping to elicit enough interest in you to push you towards the theatre to go and check this out. That said, here are 8 reasons why you should book that ticket for Dramalab’s “Visits”.
Reason 1: The script is by Jit Murad
If you are unfamiliar with the works of Jit Murad, know this. He was an effective storyteller because he was a keen observer of Malaysian society. His works explore our realities and how we react to them, reflecting this through satire and witty dialogue. Murad’s works expose our insecurities but do so in a sincere way. “Visits” is not just the story of these three women. It’s also a commentary on class disparity, motherhood, womanhood, and mental health.
Reason 2: It’s directed by Ida Nerina
Though she’ll always be the fabulous Ena Manjalara binti Wagiman in my eyes, Ida Nerina is also an award-winning actress and a veteran of Malaysian theatre. For this version of “Visits”—it was first staged in 2002—Ida Nerina creates a more surreal interpretation of the text, Peeling through its psychological layers without sacrificing its biting wit. Through her direction, we are not only witness to the story before us, but are pulled into the larger-than-life performances of its stellar cast. Speaking of…
Reason 3: The super-sized set is designed by Raja Malek
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Raja Malek, or Chelek as he is affectionately called, is the go-to set designer for some of Malaysia’s most iconic stage productions. Puteri Gunung Ledang, P. Ramlee The Musical, Ola Bola The Musical…these are but a handful of his previous stage works. For “Visits”, the main set-piece is a super-sized bed that almost spans the entire width of the stage. “It’s about perspective,” says Chelek. “That the women are in their own larger-than-life world.”
“Visits” presents Sofia Jane as Nurse with Nabila Huda as Woman as they pour their hearts out in a set designed by Raja Malek.
“When we spiral, when we collapse inwards, we shrink,” Ida Nerina says in the production notes, on the decision to go big. “I’ve thought about how small the women might look in it… but that’s exactly the point. It’s about being diminished. Engulfed by something bigger. By a system, or an illness, or a silence. That imbalance of power…This isn’t a literal hospital room. It’s a warped, surreal institution. It’s our minds. And I want you—the audience—to feel that strangeness. To feel just a little bit… off-centre.”
A super-sized bed takes centre stage.
Through Chelek’s adroit hands, this hospital setting becomes both sterile and chic. Moreover, the bed is like a character all on its own. Becoming the unplanned slumber party where the lives of these three women become intertwined.
Reasons 4, 5 & 6: The Trinity of Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda & Nadia Aqilah
Nabila Huda, Nadia Aqilah & Sofia Jane in rehearsals.
These are powerhouse actors. And seeing them in their element together, sharpening their acting chops as they play off of each other… Oh, it’s an experience to behold.
While in the midst of promoting a new movie “Mencari Ramlee”, Sofia Jane has somehow found the time to also rehearse and perform in a demanding theatre production. She returns to “Visits” after playing the role of Sister-in-law in its initial 2002 run. Now she is Nurse, a character seemingly stoic but is in truth a well of suppressed emotions. Best known as a dramatic actress, here Sofia challenges herself to embrace physical comedy like we rarely see her do. And it’s just glorious!
Nabila Huda plays Woman, the nexus from which everything else unravels. A formidable force in our acting landscape, Nabila takes us through a rollercoaster of emotions—anger, pride, denial, guilt, acceptance—with aplomb. (I was told she only had two weeks to prepare for the role). In spite of her insecurities and devastation, Woman is the heart of this story. And Nabila strums our heart-strings like an evocative musician.
Powerhouse performers: Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda & Nadia Aqilah
Then there’s Nadia Aqilah. Actor Remy Ishak once told me, “If Malaysia had our own version of Broadway, Nadia Aqilah would’ve been a superstar by now.” Any role, big or small, is not only safe in Nadia’s hands, it will be rendered so eloquently in all its brushstrokes and nuances. As Sister-in-law, she is sparkling but deceptively nurturing, before breaking through the tension of the Final Act with candour and child-like reverie.
Playing to a packed house on opening night.
What’s fantastic about this cast is that they all stand on equal footing. As they took their turn in the spotlight, I was awed by how one strong performance followed the next without overpowering one another. Even through the unfolding drama, there was a palpable joy emanating from the stage—these women were obviously having fun acting together.
Reason 7: You will relate to this.
The themes in “Visits” are universal. It taps into the realities of urban Malaysian life, and the complexities of womanhood. Whether that manifests as insecurity over being a good parent, living up to societal expectations, trying to make the best of what life has thrown at you, overcoming grief or guilt, struggling to be a better version of yourself, or wearing the perfect shade of lipstick… There is something here that will feel familiar to you. It may not be an experience of your own, but it could be of someone you know. “Visits” asks us to ponder, confront, acknowledge and resolve. That no matter how bleak or dark the shadows that engulf us, there is hope. There is light. And one way to find it, is to talk about it.
Reason 8: Support local art…
…especially when it’s this good! So why wait? To make your ticket bookings, click here. “Visits” is staged at Nero Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), One Utama E. The production will run until June 29th, with evening performances at 8:30 PM on June 24–29. Matinee shows will take place at 3:00 PM on June 28–29. The duration of the play is 1 hour and 40 minutes, with no interval. Tickets are priced at RM108 Early Bird / OKU / OAP, RM135 and RM240 (JitFest Friends).
