A Song of Life: IPG KAMPUS TENGKU AMPUAN AFZAN THEATRE FESTIVAL 2016

We all play different roles at different times in our lives: for instance a woman is a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, an aunt, a friend, a maid, a liar, a heroine, a gossiper, a homemaker, a home destroyer, etc and she often play these 'roles' at the same time. Her role is never static and will continue to change as she gains more knowledge and wisdom through her life experiences. As what Shakespeare says:

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
(As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 7)

One cannot deny the fact that we are all actors on the stage of the world, acting out our theatrical roles to present ourselves in the way in which we wish to be seen. The inevitable truth is - when we are in the presence of others (as audience), we are to some extent performing on stage. We will act act out the roles given to us in the hope that we can influence the people around us. Needless to say, as actors/actresses, we are constantly recreating ourselves in our evolving social world. Similarly, theatre is all about how we present ourselves as we try to become the person we want to be whilst at the same time trying to impress our audience. It is therefore an effective channel for us to learn about ourselves and the world. As one of the closest literary forms to life, the theatre also reveals and examines the various aspects of truth relating to human nature.

The word ‘theatre’ is derived from the Greek word ‘theatron’ which refers to a semi-circular opened-air stone building where spectators looked at sacrifices, dances or theatrical performances. Unlike the male dominated theatre of the yester years, the modern theatre of today which is shaped by the world’s changing forces, also provides women with an equal opportunity to explore and present their talent on the platform of the world.

As an excellent platform for exploring the theoretical as well as the practical aspects of language, the theatre has the potential of making language learning interesting and meaningful through its interactive processses as these provide opportunities for self-expression and self-actualization. Through the provision of a variety of outlets for self-expression and self-actualization, the theatre has an important role to play in the development of imaginative/creative processes for all its participants. Since imagination and creativity have an essential role to play in making this world a better and more meaningful place, this facet of human sentience should not be overlooked in the school curriculum.

Trivial as it may seem to be, dreams without imagination and thoughts without creativity can be likened to life without colour. The theatre therefore not only helps to trigger our thought processes but also brings colour to life.

The Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus (IPGK) Tengku Ampuan Afzan Theatre Festival was held at Dewan Darul Makmur on 30 August 2016, one day prior to Malaysia’s 59th National Day. This 6 language Theatre Festival was organized by the institute's Pusat Kecemerlangan Bahasa Melayu Zon Timur in collaboration with the Extra Curriculum Committee and Gabungan Insan Teater Afzan (GITA). The participants of this year’s Theatre Festival include members of the 1) Malay Theatre, 2) English Theatre, 3) Chinese Theatre, 4) Tamil Theatre, 5) Arab Theatre, and 6) Semai Theatre. According to the coordinator of our Theatre Festival, Tuan Haji Dzulkarnain Mat, he would like to include the Iban Theatre, Kadazan Theatre, and Jawa Theatre as well in next year’s Theatre Festival should he be given the opportunity to do so. Officiated by YB Dato’ Haji Abd. Rahman Mohamad, the member of Parliament of Kuala Lipis, this year’s Theatre Festival has turned out to be a great success. According to our MP, he has already approved an allocation of funding (RM5000) for the purposes of enhancing the effectiveness of theatre in education and to promote language learning. Thank you very much, YB. Also present was Puan Nani Hayati Razikin who represented Institute Pendidikan Guru Malaysia (IPGM).

Amongst the objectives of the Theatre Festival include are to:

enhance the language proficiency of its participants;
promote sharing of the various techniques used in theatre presentation;
improve script writing and produce new scripts for compilation;
identify new talent;
enhance racial unity;
give our trainees exposure to drama; and most of all
celebrate the tenth anniversary of GITA, the pulse of the institute's theatrical activities.

Below is a series of photos taken at the Theatre Festival in chronological order.

The Audience

Behind the Scenes

CHINESE THEATRE: THE HOMECOMING

This old man was waiting eagerly for his only daughter to return home for reunion dinner on Chinese New Year Eve. Whilst waiting, he coughed up blood as he was suffering from lung cancer.

When his wife found out about his terminal illness, she was heartbroken

His daughter was filled with remorse for having neglected her parents all these years whilst she was abroad.

Members of the Chinese Theatre

ENGLISH THEATRE: HOW I MET YOUR WIVES

Having four wives is indeed a great headache for Jamil!

Jamil needed the help of his best friend, Shah, whenever he wanted to cheat on his wives. That was how Shah met his wives and married all of them in the end.

It is not easy to cheat on your wives particularly when you have bad intentions as women are very sensitive and this has been clearly proven by Jamil.