KUCHING: It is a thrilling and exciting premiere night of one of the most anticipated musical theatre productions, Rentap: The Battle of Bukit Sadok’.
The play, based on the Iban legend, follows the young Rentap as he evolves into one of the greatest warriors in Sarawak’s history.
Attended by over 100 people on the premiere night, the musical theatre lasted over 90 minutes and featured songs written and composed by musicians Jerry Kamit and Harzel Markson.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, who was among the attendees, felt that not only was he entertained, but the show was very well put together.
“I believe the preparation for the musical theatre was very well done by the entire production and the cast as well.
“I commended the team for producing an outstanding musical drama, and the fact that almost all of the production crew and the ensembles were from the locals here just truly shows how talented the Sarawakians are,” he said when met by reporters after the premier night at the Sarawak Cultural Village here last night (Aug 18).
On another note, he added that future musical theatre or drama should not only be based on Sarawak’s legendary warrior.
“It can be about any other story, such as the Dang Isah Tandang Sari, a Sarawak folklore about a girl who becomes a victim of her own beauty.
“The story is actually a synonym for the community in Pusa, and it is a love story that can now be turned into a stage play,” he stated.
Starring Anding Indrawani as the lead actor, Melissa Francis, Jay Iswazir, Nick Jassen, Arwan Umar, Shakira Stephen, and Abdul Wahab, the musical theatre is also delivered in 60 percent Iban, with the remaining in Malay and English.
The second and final show, which will be premiered today (Aug 19), will see Depha from the Masterpiece perform the original soundtrack entitled “Rentap”.
Also present during the premier night were Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan, State Financial Secretary Datuk Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar, Deputy State Secretary Datuk Hii Chang Kee, Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Sherrina Husaini, general manager of Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) Datuk Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir, and other distinguished guests.
