Planning on Antigone

For Ms. Kasthoori’s class, as we know we have finished on the set induction and the pre-reading task on the play Antigone. The Antigone play which we have studied can be considered as a medium play because it is straightforward. So, when we are doing our set induction and pre-reading, it is quite easy for us to detect what is the characters intention. Ms Kasthoori have done a great job on not only helping us but also how to approach our set induction and pre-reading. This is somewhat like a practice for us when we go out to schools to teach. I found it very helpful because it makes us realize what are our weaknesses and correct it there itself. Not only that, I too like the idea where Ms Kasthoori told us to do a mind map on Antigone and lately on King Lear. This will help us think logically and creatively on writing essays. It has also helped me especially during the break where it has not only kept me more energetic on doing it but also get to do some work so that our brain will be not rotten. Enjoy friends on the mind map.

Practice on King Lear

Lately, Dr.Edwin aasigned us to do a role play on the play King Lear. I found it very interesting because we can mimic like the way the characters do in the play. By doing this, we not only get the chance to know how the characters feel when they are acting but also how we feel when we do their acting. This in other words provides us with some adequate knowledge on acting. Anyway my group is still in the process of role playing. What we did was we assigned each of us according to the characters in the play. While we did this, we had lots of fun because it makes us feel like as if we are in the play. This is a good practice for us when we have our theatre subject the next semester. Enjoy.

WOW! The Bangsar Actors Studio.
Want to more, keep on scrolling your mouse.


The Actors Studio in Malaysia was set up in 1989 by a husband and wife team by the name Joe Hasham and Faridah Merican. One of the prime objectives of the Actors Studio’s formation is to encourage the presentation of Professional Theatre in Malaysia. The Actors Studio also helps by training actors, directors, writers, designers and production personnel.

Later on The Actors Studio expanded in March 1998 by establishing The Actors Studio Academy, which serves as an institute for the teaching of performing arts. There are several workshops by Malaysia and foreign experts have been held here. Isn’t that’s interesting. Some of the most popular classes are Joe Hasham’s Acting for Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. The studio also works with under privileged and special children who have the opportunity to participate in specially arranged classes. This not only gives them the chance to act but also the feel and enjoyment on acting.
On January 20, 2001, The Actors Studio opened another performance venue, where a 260 seater which is located at Level 3 in Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur. It is specially designed to cater to all forms of Performing Arts not only on Drama but also on Dance, Music and Comedy. Wow! There are so much to explore. This is a brief history of The Actors Studio. Enjoy

What makes a good play. Important

As I have noted earlier, there is a difference between a theatre, play and drama. Now lets look at what makes a good play. Basically there are 7 important tips on how to make a good play. First and foremost, a play should

1) Satisfy the intellect
This means that it has to make you think and you have to revaluate on what you have
seen.

2) Proper organization
When you see a pattern, you already know that the play is developing. So in order to
follow the play, you have to play close attention on what the actors are doing and try
to grasp as many ideas as you can.

3) Must have a ideational content
A play should have ideas which are being explored in the text. For example, the play
King Lear is about family.

4) Issues and human experience.

5) Economy
In terms of time

6) Novely

7) Impact
Should be in the form of catharsis. For example you go to a play not only to learn and
watch the play but also to laugh if there is a comedy.

Theatre, Play and Drama
Three neighbours

From our previous lectures, Dr.Edwin has taught us what is the difference between a theatre, play and drama. Before taking this course EDU 3217 Teaching the Language of
Drama, I do not know what is the difference between those 3 types of conventions. But after taking this course, I was able to get a clear view on what are those 3 conventions. Here I will briefly state what is the difference between those 3.

Theatre
~ see / acting

~ stage / ( acting space )

~ e.g. going to lake also can
become a theatre

~ acting space
- imaginal time
- can be 1 week in the
play
- largely on perfoemance

~ audience space
- real time

Play
~ reading aloud

~ speaking texts

~ a kind of a guide saying
what to do.

Drama
~ genre

~ refers to the actual /
performance which acting
takes place

~ role play

~ simulation

~ for learners

~ learning

30 Days in September by Mahesh Dattani
A Play to remember

Hi friends. Welcome back to our session. I want to share with you all something that all of us have seen. I think you all know what I am trying to say. Yes, it is the play which is ’30 Days in September’ directed by Mahesh Dattani. I would like to say something about this play. It has influenced me a lot not only mentally and emotionally but also physically. This is not the first time I have been to Bangsar Actors Studio because before this I have watched a fusion musical programme entitled ‘Prana’ by Malaysia’s famous sitarist Samuel J. Dass and his musicians. So I don’t feel that much different. Coming back to the topic, when I first watched the first scene where the mother is praying to Lord Krishna, I felt like I’m in a different world. This is because of the soothing music which carried my feelings entirely. When the play is slowly developing, I began to indulge myself with the characters especially when the particular scene where the mother and the daughter argues and then suddenly the picture of Lord Krishna fell down and broke into pieces. This is the part where it really touched me and I felt sad too. Not only that I keep on telling to myself ‘you shouldn’t have done that. Anyway since I am not the character, I kept on following the play. Although this play centers around the fractured mother relationship between a daughter, I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience on not only the play itself but also how the characters potray themselves towards each other. What I can say about this play is that it is an unforgettable experience where we not only get to enjoy the play but also get the chance to meet with the actors. Also this beautiful play is very close to my heart and I hope the next time we can watch this play again. I would like to express my thanks to Dr.Edwin for giving us all such an opportunity to watch this play and also exposing us on what is a play really like. Also to Mahesh Dattani you have done a great job on putting up this play. All the best.

A bit on Mahesh Dattani

I would like to share with my friends one of India’s best and most serious contemporary playwright that is Mahesh Dattani. Mahesh is a playwright, stage director and also a screenwriter. He formed his theatre company in 1984. In 1998, he won the prestigious Sahitya Academy Award for his book ‘Final Solutions and Other Plays’. This is the highest award in the country for a literary work. He is also the first playwright who wrote in English to receive this award. His other published works include ‘Collected Plays’.

Most of Dattani’s plays are produced in all the major cities of India as well as in other countries. Not only that, he also teaches several theatre and cinema related courses at Portland State University when he comes as a visiting artist. Such a wonderful and brilliant artist. In addition, out of the other plays, five of his plays have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and BBC World. His plays include ‘Dance Like A Man’ and ‘On a Muggy Night in Mumbai’. So my friends whenever you all free, you can watch the plays. I too want to go but since we all quite busy with our studies, maybe someday all of us can go.

So far, this are some of the bits and bits of information which I have managed to get. Have a nice day and enjoy reading.