I just caught a glimpse of the life of one of the most famous Malay performers ever known around the world. The legendary P. Ramlee. I heard of the play being shown in Malaysia staring Sean Ghazi as P. Ramlee with the amazing Datuk Siti Nurhaliza as the long lost love Azizah. It was a big hit in Malaysia and I was looking forward to them coming to Singapore after their performance in Kuala Lumpur in 2007. It’s 25,000 tickets were sold out even before the musical began. When i heard that it was in town for this special 3 day performance (from 17-19 May), i just knew i had to get the tickets. Thus, i rushed down to VivoCity on Friday afternoon and immediately bought two $80 tickets for my mom and I.
My mom is a big fan of musicals having gone to several performances (Phantom of the Opera & Puteri Gunung Ledang) and is entirely interested in the life of P. Ramlee. She herself being an actress has acted with P. Ramlee in several roles especially in Antara Senyum dan Tangis (Between Smile & Tears) whereby she acted as the small child that was constantly being abused by her step mother. Other films under Shaw Brothers is Penghidupan, Manusia & also Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijunjung. She also acted with Cathay Keris and remembers fondly of her experiences of meeting both owners from Cathay and Shaw. (Her acting career started off when she was spotted by Run Run Shaw at Geylang with her grandmother.) Thus, i knew that this musical indeed means a lot to her especially after acting so closely with P. Ramlee personally during her younger days. She respects him a lot and identifies him as a legend, one of the likes that we shall never witness ever again in our lifetime.
P. Ramlee The Musical: The Life, the Loves & the Inspiration
After the success with Puteri Gunung Ledang, Tiara Jacquelina is back at it again with certainly a hit show. Under the directorial guidance of Adlin Aman Ramlie (Acted as the Malaccan Sultan Mahmud in PGL) with the help of Singapore’s very own talented composer Dick Lee, they have both teamed up to give an excellent show with originals songs and certainly classical hits by P. Ramlee.
I was kinda wary of the new actors (especially since both Sean Ghazi and Siti Nurhaliza absent from the musical) but my fears were quashed the moment i heard Musly Ramlee sang Azizah. I was stunned for a moment as i was wondering if P. Ramlee himself was back from the dead singing. It certainly wasn’t a recording. Thus, i immediately flipped my play guide and found out that he won the Bintang P. Ramlee Competition in 1996 and even went on to make an album called Irama Ilham P. Ramlee in 1998. He entirely personified the character of P. Ramlee from his look, voice and his playful mannerisms that has enchanted millions around the world with his films. Bravo to the lad and i have to say that he has done P. Ramlee proud. I do hint that he is even better than Sean Ghazi though i can’t actually say that since i wasn’t able to catch Sean’s performance.
Backed by the most beautiful lady i have ever met (after Nurul that is! 
) the elegant Emelda as the long lost love Azizah, the brilliant powerful voice of Atilia as Ramlee’s first wife Junaidah, the talented and convincing Melissa Saila as the second wife Norizan (a wonderful performance that touches your heart especially the scene when Ramlee finds out that she has been unfaithful to him.) and that lovable songstress Liza Hanim as the love that Ramlee was finding for all those years, his third wife Saloma.
The musical was brilliantly planned with a degree of professionalism that is comparable to Phantom of the Opera. The set is beautiful as they try to recreate the life of the 50′s with trees and beautiful backdrops. One memorable scene is the train segment ( indeed having a life size train set that moves) with the actors dancing around as the pass along from Penang to Singapore where P. Ramlee became the legend that he is today. Original songs by Dick Lee (what else can he do?) truly grabs your heart. Look out for heart grabbing scenes when Ramlee decides to choose to sought after his career (leaving his beloved Azizah). Especially the magnetic and convincing scene when Norizan (Melissa) reveals to Ramlee the reason for her infidelity. You feel Ramlee’s pain when Musly Ramlee feels the hurt of being heartbroken. I loved the musical act in New World with the comedic duo of the Shaw brothers. Also, look out for Joseph Gonzales as the comedic director B.S Rahjans and the laughable reporters that gives the show a warm feeling in this grim, sad yet happy tale. Read the newspaper headlines to which gives a paparazzi type of feel during the play.
However, the scene that really catches my heart, thanks largely to an excellent performance by both Musly Ramlee and Liza Hanim, was when P. Ramlee met Saloma. Indeed, you can feel Ramlee’s excitement and trepidation in courting Saloma. The nervous jittery and the continuous cajoling by friends indeed give solace to us that maybe Ramlee did at last found happiness with Saloma.
The musical was able to aptly depict his life though we shall never know his true life. IT was not the Ramlee whom we see on the screen: always laughing and smiling, without a care in the world, beating the bad guys and always winning the hot babe. This show depicts his early beginnings in Penang as an inspiring musician with his love Azizah, to the move to Singapore in search of his dreams and finally to his quiet days in Kuala Lumpur before his untimely death. I being to understand how much Ramlee was dedicated to his work. A thinker, he strived for perfection and was always wanting to head for the next dream after just accomplishing one. However, his strive for perfection led to the downfall of his family as with many dream-oriented man that will are known around the world for their work.
Indeed, the musical is a tribute to the life of P. Ramlee. An enigmatic character whose been through so much hardships especially in love due to his work. Although most of his childhood isn’t portrayed especially the reason of him becoming Tengku and the name Puteh. Furthermore, no segments of his family were shown even his parents. However, it captures his dedication and ambition to push Malay Films to the forefront of the world. One which i hope other Malay film makers aspire to be. He set the benchmark and gave prominence for the Malay film industry. May Allah take care of him and may he know that Malay people around the world will never forget him, his movies and his life. An inspiration for all till generations yet to come. To the legendary P. Ramlee, thank you.
P. Ramlee The Musical
Staged at Esplanade Theatre
From 17th to 19th May 2008
Tickets range from $40 to $100
You can order through Sistic.
There are still 3 more performances tonight and tomorrow. Do catch it now to really understand the true life of P. Ramlee and help appreciate his work to raise the Malay Film Industry.
Do read my next review – The Chronicles of Narnia : Prince Caspian
Fai @ ilovelookinggood
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