The foibles of dysfunctional families are a core theme of 'Fault Lines', starring (from left) Sabrina, Fatimah, Aloeng, Putrina, Reza, Leyow and Xavier. Photo: Azmi Hud
Family is a tricky source of happiness when conflicts are not addressed. Although straightforward solutions may not appear, talking about it is a step forward. It can be hard, especially when a family member has become distant over the years and is now only a memory.
Addressing these urgent topics is an upcoming Malaysian family drama titled Fault Lines by playwright Adriana Nordin Manan. It is a gripping commentary on the struggle between preserving our precious identity and the pressures of society and our relatives. It is also a Malaysian story.
“It is a play that can be heavy at times – it’s not a comedy by any means – but I’d say it has been written and directed with care by people who really appreciate what it means to present a Malaysian story to a Malaysian audience,” says Adriana, 40, who is the founder of creative arts outfits Protagonist Studio and Cocoon Creative Lab.
Fault Lines, her debut play, was a semi-finalist in the International Scratchpad Series (2021) by the Playwrights Realm, New York.
It is scheduled to run at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPac), starting Nov 16.
With poignant themes, it tells the story of a mother and daughter trying to reunite. It’s been a few years since Shereen Rahman (played by Putrina Rafie, 31), the daughter of Habsah Aziz (played by veteran actress Fatimah Abu Bakar, 68), decided to settle in New York.
'Fault Lines' gets its name from the many divisions in modern society. Photo Azmi Hud
After finishing her studies in the US, she didn’t return to Kuala Lumpur. She has a big secret, one she intends to keep.
The story follows the reunion of the family in New York and the unearthing of more than one secret.
The rest of the theatre play’s line-up include Xavier Reminick, 31, Reza Zainal Abidin, 55, Sabrina Hassan, 44, Aloeng Silalahi, 42, and Catherine Leyow, 61.
“I won’t say people should support it just because it’s a Malaysian story,” says Adriana, who has more than 15 years of experience in areas ranging policy research and playwriting.
“But we seldom get to watch full-length, original works by local playwrights so Fault Lines offers that and I believe many Malaysians would see themselves and people they know in the play’s characters," she adds.
Fatimah (right) and Putrina play mother-daughter duo Habsah Aziz and Shereen Rahman in 'Fault Lines'. Photo: Azmi Hud
Adriana reveals that the script is done in Bahasa Malaysia and English and that she furnished distinct characters with idiosyncrasies. The play offers 120 minutes of heartfelt drama, no matter where the viewer hails from.
After growing up in Malaysia, Adriana became part of the Malaysian diaspora herself, staying in the US for studies in the early 2000s. As travelling abroad so often does, it exposed her to new points of view.
The story of Fault Lines was first conceptualised while observing and comparing life in Malaysia with the US. Many of the actors working to make Fault Lines a reality were also part of the diaspora in the US, including the play’s director, Ghafir Akbar, and Putrina.
“I was curious about ‘sensitive’ topics in both societies, and how society can get very tense and divided because of polarising opinions regarding politics, in particular. This is not surprising as two weeks after I arrived in the US, Sept 11 happened,” says Adriana.
Adriana is fascinated with the topic of Malaysians living overseas and is keen to continue writing about it. Photo: Adriana Nordin Manan
Politics in Malaysia shares traits with the American scene because of the effects of multiculturalism in both countries. Having experienced a heavy dose of identity politics, it’s no wonder Adriana explores that theme in Fault Lines.
“I was curious about how ethnic identity especially prescribed so many things such as one’s behaviour, political opinion and worldview. The differences were fascinating, of course, but the similarities really reeled me in.”
Adriana’s journey to staging Fault Lines is nothing short of inspirational. Theatre was a natural path to express herself as she has wanted to be a playwright since young. There was something about the collective experience that comes from a live play that attracted her.
Ghafir had workshopped the play twice during the pandemic via Zoom, which presented challenges. However, the directing of the performance was done in person.
“It feels great to work on this play. We’ve been very lucky to have had a long development process, where we worked with a group of actors and had the luxury of time to workshop the play with them. So there is a level of comfort, almost a shorthand among us as a company,” says Ghafir, 42.
“It’s also wonderful to work on Malaysian characters, these are people I know from my own life. They remind me of my friends, my family members. The characters in Fault Lines are in my orbit, you could say. So there’s a deep sense of responsibility to present them in the best way we can, with truth and care,” he adds.
‘It’s also wonderful to work on Malaysian characters, these are people I know from my own life,’ says Ghafir. Photo: Crispian Chan
Although it took 10 years to bring Fault Lines to the stage, Adriana is proof that if there’s a will, there’s a way.
“Believe in yourself and the story you want to tell. Get trusted people whose opinions you value and you know can provide constructive feedback, to workshop the play with you.
"It’s okay to feel protective of your words but eventually, gather the courage and comfort to be able to edit, rewrite and change parts that don’t serve the story. Remember, every genre of writing has a specific set of rules, and playwriting is no different,” she says.
“Read, study and analyse other plays but don’t let theories and other people’s experiences stop you from trying to write the way you want to write. And most importantly, have fun and enjoy the journey. It will change you as a person, that’s for sure.”
Adriana reveals that she is still very fascinated with the topic of Malaysians living overseas and is keen to continue writing about it. Perhaps she’ll try visual image and film next. She hopes that Malaysians living overseas continue the legacy of being good-natured, able to adapt to host cultures and to find opportunities to contribute to the society they call home.
Fault Lines is set to play at Nero Event Space, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) from Nov 16-19.
