Tropicana Nov-Dec 2020 #133 The Festive Issue

Faridah has been been busy directing since klpac's doors have opened on July 1.
“The ‘high’ for 2020 for me,
believe it or not, is the pandemic!
It has forced us to reinvent
ourselves and this has been a
positive. It was a huge wake up
call that has resulted in many
new learnings.”
The cast of Life Sdn Bhd: Voices of the Young with Faridah. The show was staged in September.
Joe and Faridah draw their energy and enthusiasm from each other.
“As a result of the closure, no funds were coming in,”
he shared. “We were all very concerned for our staff. Not
only the permanent staff members, but the thousands of
part time workers and performers we engage every year.
Quite honestly, I was not sure that I had the wherewithal
to see it through. Fortunately, there were many supporters
who made the burden not so great. Our senior staff, namely
Ian Chow and Ang Yue May, and of course, the ‘never say
die’ Faridah, were a great source of comfort and strength
for me.”
Faridah, who is Executive Producer of The Actors
Studio, klpac and penangpac, and Hasham’s wife of 31
years, has a long and illustrious track record in Malaysian
theatre and remains a formidable force in her 80s. She was
disheartened that the pandemic brought to light the fact that
the arts is not regarded as “essential work”.
“This is a most unfortunate statement and reflects the
general attitude of the powers that be. However, we are very
fortunate to have sponsors who do not think along these lines
and have remained loyal throughout. It is also gratifying to
note that the federal government is doing the necessary to
assist the industry and keep the arts alive.”
In June, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin
unveiled a stimulus package to help the Malaysian economy
recover from the impact of COVID-19, and within the
Pelan Jana Semula Ekonomi Negara (PENJANA), RM10
million was allocated for the arts and culture sector.
Thanks to financial aid such as this and from individual
and corporate sponsors, coupled with strict SOPs in
place, The Actors Studio and klpac were able to resume
operations, albeit at a slower pace, since 1 July. Though shows
have been smaller in size, they are more intimate and warmer,
and the camaraderie, familiar, wholehearted and loyal.
Faridah’s years of experience have taught her a thing or
two about keeping afloat in good times, and bad.
“The ‘high’ for 2020 for me, believe it or not, is
27 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 | TM