pakdoktergolfblog: The Musical - Lat's Kampung Boy...

Thursday night was the second performance of the new musical "Lat - the Kampung Boy" - which was played at the Istana Budaya. Based on the life of renowned Malaysian cartoonist, Lat, the play has unearthed a pool of local talents in dancing, singing, acting and musical arrangements. Directed by Hans Isaac ( an accomplished Malaysian actor of Eurasian blood) and Harith Iskandar ( who is of a mixed Mat Salleh-Melayu blood), they both managed to bring out all the nuances of 'Melayuness' of Lat, the person. Despite having made a name for himself and gained international recognition for his work which gave him opportunities to go to many places all over the world,, Lat remained the Melayu Kampung Boy, who yearned to go back and live in the surroundings of the kampung where he grew up. ( And if pakdokter is not mistaken, Lat has recently settled down in his kampung in Batu Gajah or Gopeng in Perak.

Lat's talent in drawing was evident even when he was a little boy in his kampung. His first break in having his cartoons published into a book happened when he was only 13, still in a secondary school at the Anderson School in Ipoh. The years in Anderson School exposed him to a multi-racial surrounding where in he made friends with kids of different races among whom, one Chinese boy, Frankie, became his close friend for many years to come. His English teacher, Mrs Hew, was also a significant person in his life, who remained a supportive person to his family up to his adult life.

Lat was greatly influenced by his father who was supportive of his early interest in drawing cartoons - unlike his mother who mostly stressed him for neglecting the other subjects in school. Later when working as a reporter at the New Straits Times, he struggled to keep up his work as a crime reporter and was constantly harassed by pakSamad Ismail, who was a strict and demanding 'father-figure' to him in the office. PakSamad, who was the the Editor,and the Managing Director/Editor? of the paper ( a ?Chinese Lady) were the principal persons who recognised Lat's talents and helped propel him into international success.

His busy schedules resulted in his family feeling neglected which nearly caused him his marriage. In the times of this marital and family conflicts, he was reminded of his deceased father who was always there for them and kept their family together and happy. Inspired by what he remembers of his father's advice, he decided to relocate from the city back to his kampung.

The musical arrangements were composed and performed by an orchestra led by Micheal Veerapen. The little boy who played 'Lat, the little kid', ( sorry, pakdokter did not find out his name) showed much talent and promise. Accomplished actor and singer, Awie, played the adult Lat. His wife, Faizah, was played by the petite and great jazz crooner, Atilla, whose mother is also a famous singer from the past, Salamiah Hassan.

A lot of the songs were upbeat with some melodious ballads to suit the more emotional scenes. The dances were racy and entertaining. However at times, the musical accompaniment was too strong that it drowned the singing.

The pictures below were taken out from some reporter's website which pakdokter found while surfing the net. Pakdokter hopes he did not mind that pakdokter had put up his photographs here without his permission. Pakdokter, rightly so, could not take any photographs during the show.