West Side Story...

It is not often that we get to see good shows in KL. Thanks to the Culture and Tourism Ministry and the many other local sponsors, this famous "Broadway Musical" came to KL this week and pakdokter and partner bought tickets to catch the show. The tickets unfortunately were not cheap. The grand circle tickets at the Istana Budaya cost almost RM 500 each! So, many young people who should be encouraged to see such a show and hopefully would be drawn to pursue musical and dance careers would not be able to afford it unless some corporate sponsors would be generous enough to dish out some free tickets.

Pakdokter had not seen the stage version of this story either in London or New York before. Pakdokter can only remember the movie version, starring George Chakiris and Natalie Wood which was shown here in the 70's? or earlier?? And many of the more popular tunes from this musical have been recorded by many singers including the famous tenor Jose Carrerras whom pakdokter really liked.

And pakdokter must admit that this show at the Istana Budaya did not dissapoint. The actors were great and their singing and dancing were fantastic.

But it was rather akward that the audience had to stand up to the Negara Ku before the show. Come on la....we do not have to go that far to inculcate patriotism for our country. Just bring in more good shows, make it affordable to a wider range of the public, then we will all be more than grateful to the government and become just as patriotic to our mother nation!

And fortunately or unfortunately for pakdokter, the show that night was also attended by a retinue of dignitaries which included the Deputy DPM and his wife, several Ministers and Secretary Generals and Deputy Secretary Generals and Directors of so many departments etc etc etc. And why on earth does each one of these guys have to be addressed and welcomed by the MC before the show started?

And to top it all, at the end of the show after the performers had made their curtain call customary bows to the rousing claps of the audience, the two main actors of the show were asked to present bouquet of flowers to the DPM and his spouse! Jeezus........Who had actually performed here???

Pakdokter felt as though we are living in a totalitarian dictatorial state like Romania or North Korea actually....