My First Time Reprising A Role (8 to 23 Dec 2018) #TheEdgeKL
(*Picture : This is me as ‘Jarod’ for #TheEdgeKL 2018.) - by Tarrant Kwok.
For the first time since I started acting in the Malaysian theatre scene in 2003, I am getting a second chance at a character I’ve played before. To make it even more amazing, it was the first musical I ever performed! This will be happening in #TheEdgeKL being produced by TheatreThreeSixty and will take place Upstairs At Lot’ng, USJ.
Here’s the official blurb :
theatrethreesixty presents the 10th anniversary production of THE EDGE
Directed and Designed by Christopher Ling
Original Music & Lyrics by Nick Choo
Musical Direction by Dominic Lucien Luk
Featuring: Tria Aziz, Michael Chen, Michelle Tan, Chris Chalmers, Iz Sulaini, Ping Khoo
Winner of the Boh Cameronian Award for Best Musical Direction, Best Original Music in 2014, THE EDGE returns to Malaysian shores after a well received restaging in Perth, Australia earlier this year.
Josh is a brother, a lover, a rascal, a drifter. His friends are jealous of his idyllic lifestyle. Yet the cracks in all their perfect lives fracture the strongest of bonds. Despite his friends and family around him, he is vulnerable, alone in a very unkind world. As friends and family reach out to help him, what is the ultimate cost to save his life?
With songs both intimate, raw and sometimes hilarious, THE EDGE explores the heavier themes of life, on the butterfly effect of our relationships through its tightly woven web of characters, each with their own story. Directed by BOH Cameronian winning director Christopher Ling, THE EDGE features a cast of accolade-winning actors, some from the original workshop production - all coming together to create a remarkable experience that will speak to everyone.
Evening Shows: Sat 8th, Wed 12th to Sat 15th, Wed 19th to Sat 22nd December @ 8.45pm
Matinees: Sundays 9th, 16th and 23rd @ 3pm
Venue: Lot’ng Arts Space, 32-2, Jalan USJ 10/1E, 47620 Subang Jaya - http://www.facebook.com/upstairsatlotng
RM 58 standard rate for all shows
RM 48 concession rate for students and the elderly
Buy your tickets today! Click here for the FB page or here for the ticketing site.
(*Picture : Zalina Lee as ‘Lily’ and myself as ‘Jarod’ in 2008 during The Edge’s workshop performance, directed by Chris Ling.)
I was given the ridiculously awesome opportunity to be the first guy to play the role of ‘Jarod’ in this brilliant musical back in it’s workshop musical performance (2008). The book & music is by award winning Nick Choo and it has since been staged twice : 2013 in KL and 2018 in Perth, Australia. Check out Nick’s website here.
(*Picture : This is the cast for #TheEdgeKL 2018.)
It’s an absolute honour and pleasure to be doing this again. It was my first musical. ‘Jarod’ is one of the characters I’ve played in my time as an actor that has really stuck with me these last 10 years. I first played ‘Jarod’ in my mid twenties, acting to be in my early 30′s. I’m actually in my 30′s now. It has come full circle.
For those non-actors reading this, there’s a thing that happens when an actor plays a character.
“...actors often take their characters’ painful experiences - repeated night after night - away with them off stage.” - source article here.
This musical deals with each of the 6 characters above trying to convince someone they care about not to commit suicide, not to jump off the edge. It’s heavy stuff but don’t worry, there’s a lot of laughing and love in this story.
All of it stayed with me. Playing ‘Jarod’ makes me think & constantly examine my own relationships with my own parents, brothers, friends and even my own flaws + strengths.
Do come watch this show. It’s a very special one to me. It’s a show I’ve been asking to be a part of for the last 10 years. Hoping that I was good enough to be considered to act in again by the team involved. I’m sharing the stage with immensely talented people.
Come close out the days before Xmas with a special show that will hopefully make you want to revisit all of your own close relationships and just give it that little bit more care.
A big shoutout to TheatreThreeSixty (Chris, Nan, Tarrant & Farisha), Nick, Monday Show Entertainment (Dom!!!) and my fellow amazing cast (we’re gonna rock it!) : Tria Aziz, Michelle Tan, Chris ‘Kai’ Chalmers, Iz Sulaini & Ping Khoo!
