Traditional pop singer Asmidar seen in the 'Dondang Dongeng' show, by Playspace and RMP, which received nine nominations (music category) for the 19th Boh Cameronian Awards. Photo: enghooi
There might be some truth that the 1990s are back in fashion. Switchblade Operation: The Longing, a contemporary dance production with works from nearly 30 years ago, received 13 nominations (dance category) for the 19th Boh Cameronian Awards (aka the "Cammies").
The awards series, presented by Boh Plantations and arts outfit Kakiseni, was established in 2002.
Whatever the outcome, Switchblade Operation is set to put dance in the spotlight at this year's Boh Cameronian Awards ceremony night, which will take place at Stage 1 Theatre, PJPAC, 1 Utama Shopping Centre in Petaling Jaya on May 5.
The show by Kongsi Petak and Cake Project features two 1990s dance pieces Gui Qu Lai Xi and A World In The City, which were shown at the KongsiKL venue last July.
"We are ecstatic that our work of nurturing continuity in contemporary dance history is recognised. We see our project as a sharing platform, where each team member has given invaluable input, blood, sweat and tears in revisiting two choreography works from 1994, giving them a current context. The team has truly made the impossible possible, and we are very proud of them!" says Low Pey Sien, the show's producer.
The show's nominations – announced at a recent Boh Cameronian Awards event at PJPAC – include Best Choreographer In A Mixed Bill, Best Group Performance, Best Featured Lead Performer and Best Set/Visual Design.
Switchblade Operation used an unconventional open-space warehouse, playing with light and shadows during the dances. It was led by acclaimed choreographer Loke Soh Kim (founder of Kongsi Petak).
A view of the dance production 'Switchblade Operation: The Longing' by Kongsi Petak and Cake Project in July 2023. Photo: Taka Chang
Also on the experimental side of the scale, there is Five Arts Centre's Anggota 2: Re-Member, which received five nominations (in the dance category), including Best Multimedia Design, Best Choreographer in a Feature Length Work, and Best Group Performance. The thought-provoking dance routine directed and choreographed by Lee Ren Xin allowed movement and raw vocal dynamics to drive the performance.
“I really appreciate being nominated and seeing my work being recognised like this ... the awards are so useful to our industry, makes us feel a little blessed,” says Syamsul Azhar, a Five Arts Centre member, who worked on Anggota 2: Re-Member's production (lighting and visual design).
At last year's Boh Cameronian Awards, Anggota, featuring dancers Lee and Tan Bee Hung, won the Best Group Performance and Best Choreographer in a Feature Length Work awards.
There is enough room for new winners and serial winners at the upcoming 19th Boh Cameronian Awards.
It features four main categories: music, dance, musical theatre and theatre.
A total of 74 productions were submitted for nominations, while the awards are spread across 37 sub-categories.
In the musical theatre category, Spooks, The Musical also made a big splash with 13 nominations. The original production, written/directed by Scott McQuaid and presented by Cempaka Performing Arts Company, tells a monster-filled story about half-human, half-vampire teenage girl Drusilla, attending her first day at a gothic school.
Singer Tria Aziz carries a poignant scene from 'Melur The Musical', a gripping Malaya-era tale born out of mystical legends and the harrowing story of the pontianak. Photo: Liver And Lung
Among Spooks, The Musical's nominations are Best Original Music And Lyrics, Best Musical Direction, Best Director, and Best Performance In A Leading Role.
"Spooks was one of our biggest musicals and to be nominated in all 12 categories is beyond what we imagined. We are exhilarated by this news and we hope for the best outcome!" says Andrew Chan, producer and CEO of Cempaka Performing Arts Company.
There is no shortage of horror thrills in the musical theatre category, with the pontianak-inspired Melur The Musical receiving 12 nominations. This Liver And Lung production, written/directed by Shafeeq Shajahan, offers a tale of love, death and trauma set during the Malayan Emergency.
“Creating Melur The Musical was a once in a lifetime experience. With 27 songs, a three-hour runtime and a story that crossed multiple genres, we knew we had something special in our hands. To be nominated in nearly all categories is a true honour. Quite frankly, looking at the breadth of work celebrated across the board makes me very proud: Malaysian theatre is thriving,” says Shafeeq Shajahan, Liver And Lung co-founder.
A debut full-length play by Adriana Nordin Manan, Fault Lines, which is a drama about identity and belonging surrounding a Malay family in New York garnered widespread acclaim last year, and it has received nine nominations in the theatre category. This includes the Best Original Script, Best Director, Best Actor In A Leading Role, and Best Actor In A Supporting Role.
"It’s a deep honour, both because Fault Lines is our debut production and we have very illustrious names in our team. We’re thrilled that they have received this acknowledgement. It’s affirming, humbling and encouraging overall," says Adriana, who is also the founder of Protagonist Studio.
On an inspirational note, it took Adriana more than 10 years to bring Fault Lines to the stage.
'Fault Lines', a new theatre production by Protagonist Studio, received nine nominations in the theatre category. Photo: Azmi Hud
New Malaysian opera shows are also a rare thing these days. An ambitious production Malam Takdir, which played in George Town, Penang and Petaling Jaya last year, received seven nominations in the theatre category.
This Bahasa Malaysia adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharata, written by Johan Othman and directed by Chee Sek Thim, offered a glimpse of opera's diversity and versatility for contemporary theatre audiences.
Malam Takdir, a collaboration between Reka Art Space, ZXC Theatre Troupe and Five Arts Centre, also served notice that with a largely Penang-based cast and crew, the theatre scene is not confined to shows in the Klang Valley.
In the music category, the folk-inspired Dondang Dongeng received nine nominations. In this show, Playspace and RMP presented a unique retelling of Malaysian folklore in songs, specially curated for children and the young at heart.
Dondang Dongeng received nine nominations for Best Original Composition, and Best Musical Direction, along with Best Solo Performace-Vocal for traditional pop singer Asmidar.
The theme of this year's Boh Cameronian Awards is Pentas Kehidupan: Meneroka Tanpa Batasan (Stage Of Life: Explore Without Boundaries), celebrating the imagination and creativity within the performing arts community.
A "Best Of 2023" award will spotlight a winner and live performances from the selected categories.
More info here.
