KUALA LUMPUR: The proverbial damsel in distress takes a backseat in the colourful re-staging of the popular Chinese musical, Princess Wen Cheng – The Musical.
In place of a helpless ingenue, the show by Asia Musical Productions, follows a spirited Tang Dynasty princess on a perilous journey to Tibet to marry its king, Songsten Gampo and become its most beloved queen some 1,300 years ago. The legendary princess went on to capture the hearts of the Tibetans with her courage, wisdom and compassion and is credited with introducing Buddhism and Tang culture to the region.
“The princess’ resilience and perseverance when in dealing with hardships was exemplary,” said Asia Musical Productions founder and musical director Ho Lin Huay at the musical’s launch yesterday. It is her zest for life and unyielding sense of duty and honour that Ho wishes to channel in the musical, which stars local talent like Evelyn Toh (who plays Princess Wen Cheng) and Yang Wei Han (King Songsten Gampo).
Light moment: Dr Ng (centre), Dr Rais (left) and Berjaya Group founder Tan Sri Vincent Tan (second from left) chatting with the cast of the musical at Berjaya Times Square.
Princess Wen Cheng was first staged at Istana Budaya in 2008 and is set for a second re-staging from Oct 13 to 28 at the same venue. Since its debut, the show has travelled to Taipei, Taiwan, and Beijing and Xi’an in China, winning over critics and audiences alike.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen called the production a “world-class performance” and hopes to promote more of Malaysia’s arts, culture and performances to international audiences. She said the musical would help the country achieve the target of bringing in 25 million tourists to the country this year.
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, who compared the show to West End and Broadway productions, said that the local performing arts scene was an important feature of the nation that should prosper alongside the country’s rising development.
Following its re-staging here, Princess Wen Cheng will be performed at the Esplanade Theatre in Singapore in January next year. Other notable efforts by Asia Musical Productions include Siddhartha (1999), Above Full Moon (2004), The Perfect Circle (2006), Kita (2010) and Singing Market (2010).
Princess Wen Cheng: The Musical is presented by Magnum, with co-sponsors MCA, Berjaya, Cosway and Sports Toto. The Star and two of its radio stations, 988 and Capital FM, are the official media.
Tickets to the musical are priced between RM53 and RM333 for matinee shows and RM63 to RM383 for evening shows. For more information, call 03-9222 8811/018-2666900 or log on towww.ticketcharge.com.my/www.asiamusicalproductions.com.
-thestar online.
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