The typical Malaysian audience

I attended the Gala Premiere of Peter Pan musical at the Sunway Lagoon Amphitheatre last Friday (26 November 2010).

While the performance was great, I just had to blog about the negative experience I had.

Firstly, the seats were not numbered. So in the typical Malaysian attitude, people started booking seats for their friends, who turned up half an hour late. There were many people who came early but could not find seats because some fucking inconsiderate people put their bags on the seats to book for their friends. I think the Sunway usherers should stop people from doing that.

The show was supposed to start at 8pm but somehow it was delayed for one whole freaking hour. The announcer first made an announcement that the show will start in 15 mins. Then 15 mins later, he announced that the show will start in 5 mins. 10 mins passed nothing happened. Then the announcer came on again and said the show will start in 5 mins. If you are not going to start the show, then don't announce it so. You think we don't know how to read time?

And guess what, after 45 mins delay, I can still see the audience strolling into the theatre like nobody's business. Hello! the ticket says start at 8pm and you walk in at 8.45pm. You think this is your grandfather's house ah?

It's people like these who gives Malaysians a bad name.

My favourite channels in DETV

When I was initially asked to review the DETV IPTV service, I was thinking “shucks I’m not really a fan of Chinese drama series”. However after more than 1 month going through their channels I discovered that DETV has a lot of other interesting programs besides the drama series.

So far my favorite channels are CH 155 and CH 260. I will review each channel below.

Ch 115 – Hunan TV World

Hunan TV World is provided by Hunan Broadcasting System (HBS) which is China's second biggest television network after CCTV. Hunan TV is a comprehensive channel which includes famous variety shows, outstanding reality shows and iconic dramas and is set to be one of the most dynamic Chinese entertainment television brands with distinctive entertainment character.

My sister loves watching Happy Shopping. This program is hosted by Wang Han, Fang Qiong and Barbie Tsu. The program showcases the latest fashion across the world, specifically Asian. There’s also lots of entertainment, games, celebrity interviews.

 
As for me, I prefer Men’s Style This program is hosted by Tang Xiao and Ma Rui. I believe this is a new program launched by Hunan TV for men. The program highlights the unique charm of men in modern society, discussing the most topical issues of fashion, lifestyle and much more.

Ch 260 – Enlight Media

Enlight Media is one of the largest private entertainment program producers and publishers in China, producing four hours of entertainment news, music, fashion and reality shows daily. As one of the largest movie and television drama companies in China, Enlight invested in and distributed five full length motion pictures and over 200 hours of television drama in 2007. It also maintains an entertainment video library with over 50,000 hours of content and a video website.

The programs that I like to watch are Music Chart which showcases the latest Chinese music videos. This is something which I rarely get to see on Astro since I canceled my subscription to their Chinese Package (too damn expensive!)

The other interesting program which my mum loves watching is call Healthcare Tips which showcases recipes and tips using Chinese herbs as cures to common illnesses.

The other program of interest is call I Love Watching Movies. This is a half-hour program which previews upcoming cinema releases.

There are also a lot of other programs which can be found in these 2 channels which I am still exploring. As you can see the programs cater to everybody in the family, young to old. There are so many other channels which I have yet to explore.

My conclusion is that DETV is definitely giving Astro a run for its money. And I cannot stress enough about the streaming of the programs. You can pause, fast-forward, rewind anytime you want. Who needs to buy a PVR now?

Behind The Scenes with Peter Pan

I was fortunate enough to be invited to the backstage of the Peter Pan musical last Saturday. The musical will be held in the Amphitheatre in Sunway Lagoon. This is a collaboration between Sunway Lagoon and the UK producers. This is the first time that the theme park will be showcasing a musical.

During the backstage session, I got to meet the main cast who are all from UK.They performed 2 numbers for us. I realized that the songs are not from the original musical. What the producers have done is to select songs from other musicals and performed it to the context of the story. This would be much better because all the songs are recognizable and the audience can sing along to them.

The Grand Premiere is on Friday 26th November.

The entrance to the Amphitheatre

Inside the Amphitheatre

The stage and props

The cast of Peter Pan

The cast of Peter Pan

Bloggers taking pictures with the cast

The bios of the cast as follows:

MARK ILES
(Peter Pan)

Mark trained on the three-year musical theatre course at Arts Ed London, graduating in 2003.

Mark’s credits include: The Diction Teacher, cover Cosmo and Dexter in Singin’ in the Rain (UK tour): Angel in Rent (English Theatre, Frankfurt): Ensemble, cover Goran in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West End and UK tour): Jimmy in the new musical The Ghost and Mrs Muir (workshop): Jo in The Selfish Giant (UK tour); Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman (Emery Theatre, London): Dancer in Stars in Their Eyes Live (UK tour and Her Majesty’s Theatre, London): Ensemble in Oliver! (West End’s London Palladium): Ensemble in Evita (New Theatre, Oxford and Hexagon, Reading): Ensemble, cover Dandini in Cinderella (Mayflower, Southampton): Ensemble, cover Mrs Fridge in Santa Claus and the Return of Jack Frost (Mayflower, Southampton). Mark is thrilled to be performing in Kuala Lumpur and would like to thank his family and friends for their continuing love and support.

LJ NEILSON
(Wendy)

LJ trained at the prestigious Italia Conti School for the Performing Arts in London. On leaving LJ worked Internationally playing various roles in 18 productions on board MV Aurora for P & O Cruises.

Even though still at a young age LJ has already made her mark on the West End stage. On leaving the ships LJ embarked on a West End career taking her form west End musicals from We Will Rock You, London’s Dominion Theatre, Grease and Fame at The Piccadilly Theatre London.

LJ has recently married in a wonderful ceremony in South Africa.

MICHAEL MORGAN
(Mr Darling & Captain Hook)

Michael comes from Blackpool in The United Kingdom and is from an old theatrical family. Michael’s Grandmother & Great Aunt appeared in many West End & touring musicals - & it was their great love & Passion for the profession that fuelled his ambition to perform. Michael has appeared in repertory seasons in Leeds & Crewe including: “Chase Me Comrade”, “Loot”, “Black Comedy”, “She Was Only An Admiral’s Daughter”, “Anna of the Five Towns”, “The Boyfriend”, “Sunday in the Theatre With Sondheim” (Birmingham Hippodrome).

Michael has appeared extensively in pantomimes touring productions & the West End including: “Snow White” (Theatre Royal Lincoln & Southsea), “Aladdin” (Cambridge Arts Theatre),”Cinderella” (Horsham & Chipping Norton), “Jack & the Beanstalk” (Horsham), “Sleeping Beauty” , “Dick Whittington” & “Sinbad the Sailor (Theatre Royal Lincoln). “Hans Anderson”, “Pinnochio”, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Salad Days”,”West Side Story” (Krupke) – which took him from New York to Paris, Berlin & Rome. Three years in the national tour of “Me & My Girl”. Two years in “Oliver!” at the London Palladium in London’s West End. A year in the national tour of Ken Hill’s “Phantom of the Opera”. Christmas season in “Me & My Girl” at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham. A year in the national tour of Gershwin’s “Crazy For You”. Seven national tours of”Annie”.

Television work includes: “The Trip” with Steve Coogan, “It’s Now or Never”, “Forty Something”, “The Darling Buds of May”, “Sherlock Holmes”, “A Touch of Frost”, “Call Up he Stars”, “The 12th Kingdom”, “Brookside” & “Heartbeat”.

Michael appeared in the films “De-Lovely” & “Quills” (with Kate Winslett & Michel Caine). He is delighted to be returning to Malaysia to appear in “Peter Pan,” as he played Mr. Sowerberry in the Malaysian Premier of “Oliver!” at Genting Highlands in 2005.

Michael has two daughters – Natalie who is currently starring in “Flashdance” in the West End & Danielle, who runs a Theatre-School in Cheshire and is the mother of his grandson Jacob.

PETER JAMIESON
(Smee)

Peter trained at the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School in London’s West End. Theatre work includes West End runs in Grease playing the mooning T-bird Roger at the Dominion Theatre London, followed by a two year national tour of the show Crazy for You playing Moose at Wimbledon Theatre London followed by a years national tour. Peter created, played and sang the role of Ratcliffe for Walt Disney’s live version of Pocahontas at Disneyland Resort Paris. Other work includes Eddie in A Slice of Saturday Night (Lincoln Theatre Royal) Woof in the European tour of Hair, Charlie Brown in Snoopy! The musical (Cambridge), Herb in Godspell (London) Judas in Godspell (Ipswhich), Nick and Tom in Rock Hard (Millfield Theatre, London). Mushnick in Little Shop of Horrors (Regents theatre Ipswich), Governor and Knife Grinder in Oliver (Theatre Royal Lincoln) Badger in The Wind in the Willows (National Tour). Peter created the role of Stewie in the horror musical Teen Scream (Edinburgh Festival) Smee in Peter Pan (Genting Highlands Kuala Lumpur). Peter has recently completed a season at Lincoln Castle open air theatre in The Complete Works of Shakespeare Abridged. Peter has extensive experience in children’s Christmas shows and Pantomimes. Pantomimes include Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Dick Whittington, King Crumble in Jack and the Beanstalk, King Jasper in Sleeping Beauty, Dandini in Cinderella, Gepetto, Fox and Stromboli in Pinocchio, Friar Tuck in Robin Hood, Ugly sister Buttercup Hardup in Cinderella and Marzipan the evil henchman in Snow white and the Seven dwarfs.

Peter's T.V credits include David in Grange Hill, 1st Witness in Crimewatch, Gino in Holby City, Fame School and various Corporate/Training films. Recording work includes Ratcliffe in Pocahontas-Walt Disney Productions, Boyblue, Jack and Tom in the new musical The Magic Horse and various jingles for Docklands radio. Peter is so happy to be returning to this beautiful country once again to be working with two of his very dear friends.

Peter Pan is coming to KL

You have not seen Peter Pan until you see the live musical in stage. Finally this West End musical is coming to KL. Hope I get a chance to see this here.....

Peter Pan the Musical is the very first theatrical production organised by Sunway Lagoon. Produced and choreographed by talents hailing from London’s famous West End theatre district, this musical tells the well-known and affectionate story of a boy who would just never grow up. The iridescent display of song and dance will take place twice daily and three times on Fridays and Saturdays.

Peter Pan the Musical is directed by Chris Colby and it aims to appeal to a wide variety of audiences. Colby will be directing an international cast line up who are no strangers to the famous London West End theatre scene. In conjunction with the Grand Premiere on November 26, Sunway Lagoon will once again open its doors to the Nite Park, which is aptly set with the festive and whimsical, yuletide theme.

“The story of Peter Pan resonates well with people from all walks of life because it is not just about staying young forever, it is about staying true to yourself and having fun while making the best out of any situation. Sunway Lagoon is the perfect venue for Peter Pan – The Greatest Adventure because it is a place where the young and old come to release their inhibitions, have fun and be themselves,” said Colby.