Tropicana Nov-Dec 2020 #133 The Festive Issue

THE ART
Strict SOPs have been put in place for all shows.
the pandemic!” she reveals, “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.”
Faridah goes on to say that the ‘low’ was the shutting
of their doors and the general suffering of not only their
staff, but the entire country. “It was heartbreaking having
to, albeit temporarily, reduce the salaries of our staff. Apart
from financial difficulties, we were also concerned for their
safety and wellbeing.”
The pandemic was also a learning experience for
Hasham, 71.
“Personally, I benefited enormously from the experience.
It has made me realise how fragile our existence can be and
how we should never take our good fortune for granted. On
a professional level, I have had to come to terms with the fact
that I cannot be all things to all people. I cannot solve the
problems of the world,” he said, adding that his source of
strength is two-fold – first, his total belief in what he is doing
and why he is doing it and second, Faridah.
Drawing energy from each other is something this couple
is well known for. They are often seen in theatre walking hand
in hand, ready to acknowledge each other as sounding board,
inspiration and pillar of strength. But what was it like to be
stuck at home in solitary confinement for such a long period?
Faridah admits: “Both Joe and I did not stay at home!
We went in to work every day. We needed to do this to
maintain our sanity. Also, we have a number of animals to
care for at klpac, dogs and of course our theatre cat, Mister
Noisy.”
This is not the first time the powerhouse duo has had to
deal with such a catastrophic event. In 2003, floods destroyed
the whole Plaza Putra complex, at Dataran Merdeka, which
With Mister Noisy the resident theatre cat, which gave Joe and Faridah a reason
to visit the theatre during the MCO.
was then the home of The Actors Studio. It was not until
a year later that they were able to find a venue, The Kuala
Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) at Sentul Park, which
officially opened its doors in 2005.
“I believe that these misfortunes that have confronted us
have made us stronger and more resilient,” offered Faridah.
“So my advice to the younger generation is to not be deterred
by any difficulties that may come their way. It is challenges like
these that make us better human beings.”
Hasham says that his hopes for The Actors Studio and
klpac in 2021 are to be “better and bolder. To be more mindful
of the important things in life, and to continue to nurture the
performing arts in the best possible manner.”
TM | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020
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