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#SHOWBIZ: Siti moved by public praise over classic Mandarin song performance

#SHOWBIZ: Siti moved by public praise over classic Mandarin song performance

KUALA LUMPUR: Pop queen and Biduanita Negara Datuk Seri Siti Nurhaliza is moved by Malaysians' praise for her recent performance of an evergreen Mandarin song.
In an interview with Harian Metro yesterday, Siti said: "Thank God, my pronunciations were correct, and the guests including the guest of honour were all entertained."
The 46-year-old superstar was the main singer who entertained Chinese President Xi Jinping at a national banquet to mark his recent visit to Malaysia, and her performance went viral via a TikTok video.
Siti sang the iconic song The Moon Represents My Heart which was made popular by the late Taiwanese pop legend Teresa Teng.
"I'm a big fan of that song, but I had to re-learn how to sing it properly with the right pronunciation, as I haven't performed it for ages.
"This time, I had to perform it with a new arrangement by the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra," she said.
Siti added that Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek praised her singing, and told her that the Chinese President and his entourage loved it, describing it as "perfect".

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All gloved up: award-winning absurdist play 'Le Tabouret' heads to Penang
All gloved up: award-winning absurdist play 'Le Tabouret' heads to Penang

The Star

time9 hours ago

  • The Star

All gloved up: award-winning absurdist play 'Le Tabouret' heads to Penang

The play begins with an empty stage. As it progresses, a man and a woman – both well, well on in years – fill the space with chairs for their guests. Though invisible to the audience, the couple engage enigmatically with those who arrive until everyone turns to see the entrance of an orator. In his tragic farce production entitled Les Chaises (French for The Chairs ), Romanian-French playwright Eugene Ionesco claimed that 'we all live in illusion' and recognising meaningless is the only meaningful thing that can be done. Now, this 1952 play is being adapted by three local arts groups and is travelling to George Town, Penang this month. The atmospheric theatre show will run at Auditorium A, Komtar, George Town from June 13–15. Le Tabouret or The Stool dives into the melancholy world of two retired Chinese glove puppeteers as they confront a command seemingly from the divine, abandonment and the nearing end of their days. No strings attached Chinese glove puppetry, which is also known as 'potehi', originated in Fujian, China in the 17th century and is believed to have come to Penang over 100 years ago. Using small but elaborate hand puppets that range from 25cm to 35cm in height, the uniqueness of this artform stems from the absence of strings controlling the characters from above. 'Le Tabouret', adapted from Eugene Ionesco's seminal absurdist work, tells the story of stage characters Chen Yulian and Zhang Ming, two retired glove puppeteers. Photo: Weng Hong This traditional entertainment became popular during festivals as it was more cost effective than hiring an opera troupe and also required less time and preparation to set up. Le Tabouret director and scriptwriter Dylan Yeo, from Kuala Lumpur-based D Yang Productions, says the idea of centring the adaptation around a stool rather than the original chairs came from here. 'The reason I chose a stool instead of a chair is because it resonates with traditional Chinese puppetry performances. These are often held during festivals or god-praying events, where typically only stools are placed in front of the stage,' says Yeo. 'To honour this tradition and pay homage to the roots of the original script, I decided to name the piece in French,' he adds. The decision to change the title to a singular form also stems from refocusing the play around a dying traditional art. 'I used the singular form ( Le Tabouret ) to symbolise that – although there may be many stools – ultimately, only one remains to support both the performers and the art form itself,' he says. At last year's Boh Cameronian Awards, Teoh (left) won Best Actor (Theatre) for her role in 'Le Tabouret', presented by Zahim Albakri. Photo: KakiSeni Like other traditional art forms like Chinese silk embroidery and signboard making, there has been an apparent decline in potehi in recent times due to more accessible and modernised entertainment. The appearance of these art forms nowadays, however, almost always strikes a nostalgic chord with those who grew up with them. 'As an art creator, this art form holds a special place in my heart. Every year during the Ghost Festival, my parents would bring me around different parts of the city to take part in the celebrations,' says Yeo. 'While they were busy praying, I would find myself drawn to the Chinese puppetry performances happening nearby. 'As I grew older and started doing research, I realised this once-vibrant tradition is slowly fading away; becoming less visible, almost as if it's disappearing into thin air,' he laments. To ponder more deeply into the loss of an art form, Le Tabouret follows Chan Yuk Lian and Cheong Meng, two elderly, retired glove puppeteers who are struggling with late-life loneliness and the demise of their craft. Since receiving support from the Krishen Jit Fund in December 2022, Yeo has watched the show grow and move onto a bigger stage. Photo: Dylan Yeo Amidst this backdrop, Chan suddenly receives a divine revelation and, determined to share it, she summons a gathering at her home by channeling the oracle through a spirit medium. Though this development hints at hope and reconnection, audiences would be wise to brace themselves for a rough road (and perhaps, end) for the two protaganists if the adaptation stays true to the original play. 'What begins as an act of salvation slowly unravels into a revelation of humanity's absurd core. 'When traditional arts are abandoned by time and faith is deconstructed by reality, can we still find an anchor for existence in the void?' the play's creators question. Visiting potehi land Le Tabouret held an experimental premiere in 2022 in Selangor and, after receiving support from the Krishen Jit Fund later that same year, was officially staged at the Five Arts Centre in Kuala Lumpur in October 2023. Actor Teoh Siew Thung, who played the part of the elderly female puppeteer, was awarded Best Actor In A Leading Role (Theatre) at the 19th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards last year for her performance. The production, jointly created by D Yang Productions, Noise Performance House and Wave-Breaking Puppet Theatre, also earned three nominations at the 19th ADA Drama Awards that celebrates achievements in Malaysian Chinese theatre. 'The reason I chose a stool instead of a chair is because it resonates with traditional Chinese puppetry performances,' says Yeo. Photo: Weng Hong Taking the production on the road for the first time, the team immediately had one place in mind. 'When we first staged the show in KL, the main support I received from the Chinese puppetry community came from (experimental glove puppetry theatre troupe) Ombak Potehi, which is based in Penang. So, when it came time to plan our first out-of-town production, Penang naturally became the first place that came to mind,' says Yeo. The show will be held in Mandarin and Hokkien (yes, Penang Hokkien) with English subtitles and some changes have been made for the new location. Lee Chin Kuan, who is known for his previous roles both on stage and behind the scenes, will take over the role of the elderly male puppeteer from Fred Chan in the original production, while dancer Lim Li Jun will reprise her role of the orator. 'The performance will be in Penang Hokkien and the actors have learned traditional puppetry singing techniques. The chemistry between the actors is different now, so the backstory has been adjusted a bit,' says Yeo. 'There are also some changes with the staging, since it is a new venue with new set and lighting design, and this time, we have the musicians playing live at the back,' he adds. (Chinese glove puppetry is usually accompanied by a variety of percussion instruments and sometimes, traditional string and wind instruments.) Yeo says that the absurd theatre genre may not be as popular as on-stage comedies or musicals but he hopes Penang audiences would welcome something new. 'For me, Penang is a place where cultural appreciation remains strong – second only to KL. I hope the Penang audience can connect with the story of a puppeteer's life, which also mirrors our own journeys. 'Sometimes, the things we love may fade or get lost along the way, but we must find the strength to hold on to them,' concludes Yeo. Le Tabouret will be staged at Auditorium A in Komtar, George Town, Penang from June 13-15.

#SHOWBIZ: Elizabeth Tan moved to tears after fan's prayer for her in mosque
#SHOWBIZ: Elizabeth Tan moved to tears after fan's prayer for her in mosque

New Straits Times

time12 hours ago

  • New Straits Times

#SHOWBIZ: Elizabeth Tan moved to tears after fan's prayer for her in mosque

KUALA LUMPUR: Actress and singer Elizabeth Tan, 32, was deeply touched by a male fan's thoughtful gesture when he recently prayed for her in a mosque, asking God to grant her and her husband, Ding Siew Jim, a child. "He also prayed that I always be healthy and happy," she shared. "I'm so grateful that many Malaysians out there care for and pray for me." Tan added that the fan's actions moved her to tears. "I cried when I read about this, thank you for letting me know. I really appreciate it," she said, expressing her gratitude for his love and appreciation. "I am very lucky and feel loved." News of the male fan's prayer surfaced on Threads recently, when an anonymous user highlighted it. The user's post read: "Yesterday I attended a buka puasa at Putrajaya Mosque, and after prayers there was this man who sat next to me, who prayed that Elizabeth and her husband have a child, and always be healthy and happy." The user concluded, "Elizabeth, you are very lucky and blessed." Many netizens were also touched by the fan's gesture and joined in, praying that Tan and her husband would soon be granted a child. Tan and Ding tied the knot on March 21 March 2021.

Giveaway: Win Concert Tix To Watch Siti Nurhaliza Live In Genting
Giveaway: Win Concert Tix To Watch Siti Nurhaliza Live In Genting

Hype Malaysia

time17 hours ago

  • Hype Malaysia

Giveaway: Win Concert Tix To Watch Siti Nurhaliza Live In Genting

Want to watch Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza live in concert? Well, you're in for a treat! As you know, the icon is set to celebrate 30 glorious years in the music industry with the much-anticipated 'Violet Skies: Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live In Arena Of Stars'. This upcoming milestone concert marks Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza's grand return to the stage following two sold-out performances last year. Here are details about the show and how you can win some tickets to see her live: Violet Skies: Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza Live In Arena Of Stars Date: 5th & 6th July 2025 (Saturday & Sunday) 5th & 6th July 2025 (Saturday & Sunday) Time: 8:30pm 8:30pm Venue: Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting Arena of Stars, Resorts World Genting Ticketing: VIP – RM768, PS1 – RM658, PS2 – RM398, PS3 – RM398, PS4 – RM278 Take Part In Our Contest & Score Tickets To The Show! Thanks to our friends at Resorts World Genting, we're giving away 10 tickets to Hype Malaysia's loyal readers to watch Siti Nurhaliza live in concert on 5th July (Saturday)! To be in the running to win, tell us your favourite track from the Malaysian icon in our Facebook contest post (it can also be a cover they have done). Terms and conditions: Like Hype Malaysia's Facebook, follow us on Instagram @hypemy and Twitter @HypeMY. Share this contest on your socials. Increase your chances by getting your friends to like and share your social media posts. Tag your friends and tell us what your favourite Siti Nurhaliza song is in our social media post. Private Message us the link to your contest post on Facebook after you're done. Include your Twitter and Instagram account links so that we can verify. Ensure that your post privacy is set to public, otherwise we won't be able to see it! There will be no winners announcement post as winners will be contacted privately via Facebook by late June 2025. The organiser's decision on all matters relating to this contest shall be final, and no correspondence shall be entertained. HERE is a step-by-step guide to help you from getting disqualified. What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0

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