#SHOWBIZ: Tackling mental health issues, from women's point of view
THE late playwright Jit Murad's acclaimed three-woman play about mental health issues, 'VISITS', made a triumphant return to the big stage at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) in 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya recently.
Staged there on June 20 and 21, and from June 24 to 29, this darkly witty play was in aid of the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) and its initiatives to support women and children in mental health crises.
A production of Dramalab, first staged in 2002, it was part of the Jit Murad Festival 2025, PJPAC and Dramalab's on-going celebration of the late artiste's greatest plays.
LAYERS
Directed by award-winning actress Ida Nerina, the play had a star-studded cast comprising award-winning actresses Datin Sofia Jane, Nabila Huda Suhaimi and Nadia Aqilah.
Set in a high-end mental wellness facility, it sees the lives of three women intersect in a single, emotionally charged hospital room.
The narrative orbits around three female characters — The Patient, The Sister-In-Law, and The Nurse — portrayed by Nabila, Nadia and Sofia respectively.
What unfolds among the three of them in an hour and 40 minutes, is a compelling struggle laced with maternal guilt, class disparity and the fragile line between healing and control.
ENGLISH
Nabila, a first timer in English theatre, said playing The Patient recovering from mental distress was "out of the ordinary".
"One thing I love about theatre is that I can play multiple characters that I might not get on screen," she said.
Nadia said it was the first big stage collaboration between the three actresses.
"I've always wanted to work with Sofia and Ida.
"They're among my idols whose movies I grew up watching," she said, adding that she and Nabila had collaborated in television dramas.
CHEMISTRY
Nabila said: "It's great that the three of us had almost instant chemistry. We shared a lot and bonded beautifully."
Sofia said that she had long admired Nadia, especially as Puan Sri Saloma in 'P. Ramlee The Musical' and Zaiton Sameon in 'Zaiton, Ceritaku'.
"It's great to work with Nabila, too, as she's one of our most versatile stars," she said.
Nabila said working with Ida was a dream come true.
"Ida is a brilliant director, she's friendly, always engaging."
SUPPRESSED
Nadia said The Patient, The Sister-In-Law and The Nurse each had "suppressed issues".
"At the end of the day, all three of them are 'unwell' and want to heal themselves and fulfil their dreams," she said.
Nabila added: "You get to delve deep into their minds, and relate to them with their interesting back stories."
SAD
Nadia said The Sister-In-Law appeared materialistic, but she had a sad family history.
Sofia said: "Likewise The Nurse, who appears harsh, but this is a mask to hide her innermost demons."
Nabila said: "The Patient tells audiences about how she ended up in hospital, and immerses them in her life story, until they come out of the theatre rooting for her.
"What they have in common is they are strong, independent, human and gradually learn to be the best versions of themselves, through their chance meeting in the luxury room."
ADMIRED
The three actresses have never worked with Jit but have admired him from afar.
Nadia said: "He was one of the greatest entertainers Malaysia has ever produced."
Sofia said: "There are many great plays Jit came up with. If he were here today, he would be very proud to see 'VISITS' restaged."
THEME
Nabila said the main theme of 'VISITS 'was the need for mental health issues to be openly discussed.
"People with mental health issues are pretty common. It is wholly normal, they are not crazy," she said.
Nabila added: "Many people go through the same thing as The Patient."
Sofia said Malaysians would have treated mental health differently years ago, but they now realised that it was normal and could be the result of trauma or the genes.
"More people should talk about it, and we should all be more compassionate towards people who suffer from mental health problems, too."
THOROUGH
Nadia said it was a challenge for all of them to play such layered characters.
"We had to get into character thoroughly, and at the same time, put a bit of themselves into their characters," she said.
FOCUS
Nabila said Malaysian theatre should have more plays which focus on issues from women's point of view, such as 'VISITS'.
"Women should be portrayed as multi-faceted. They can be happy, strong, vulnerable and neurotic, in the same story.
"Most importantly, it has to be their story," she said.
Nadia said after the Covid-19 pandemic and the mental health issues that resulted from the lockdown, Malaysians gradually became more open about mental health in film, television and plays.
"There are many methods to tackle this hot topic, and doing so through the creative medium gets audiences thinking about people with mental health issues, and seeing what they go through," she said.
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