The Instant Cafe Theatre Company, one of the country's frontrunners in the performing arts scene, will be returning to their comedic roots with a gala reunion to celebrate their 26 years of history.
In a nod to the state of Malaysian politics, the theatre company have dubbed their show “D'State of D'Nation”, a one-night-only performance which will bring together some of the group's best best sketches and characters.
“When we were brainstorming on what the show would be called, we thought we must reflect the state of the nation, we must reflect what's going on,” co-founder Jo Kukathas sad in a recent interview with The Malaysian Insider.
“So somebody said the word ‘donation’ comes to mind."
Kukathas said it was “convenient” that 26 years was also 2.6 decades, in a thinly-veiled nod to the RM2.6 billion that was “donated” to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal bank account.
The group did not need much convincing to proceed with the plan to tackle the controversies of this year in their signature comedic style.
Comprising old and new sketches, audiences can expect to see familiar faces like YB, Puan Badariah, Shelah and Priscilla, just to name a few.
“We're choosing plays which we think are still relevant. In fact, it was quite sad to be going through these old sketches and going, ‘Things haven't changed! We can still do this piece’,” Kukathas said, adding that it was fun to revive many of their classic hits.
She also revealed that a new YB sketch will see the character on a spaceship called 1MDBoleh.
Apart from reuniting beloved characters, the gala show will also bring together well-known names like Patrick Teoh, Rashid Salleh, Junji Delfino, Gavin Yap, Tria Aziz, Kuah Jenhan, Na'a Murad, Ghafir Akhbar, Paula Malai Ali, Maya Tan Abdullah, Joanna Bessey and more.
“The show isn't just us writing for now, it's to remember those 26 years,” Kukathas said.
She said on a more serious note that Malaysians needed to be “brave to laugh, be brave to say something's not quite right”.
“What we're trying to say is, ‘You think things are bad now, things have always been like this!’
“But we always laughed and it's important to for us to remain optimistic and not go down lorong mudah lupa.”
On future plans, Kukathas plans to celebrate Shakespeare's anniversary next year but with a local twist that will speak to a Malaysian reality.
Until then, prepare to laugh your socks at “D'State of D'Nation” at PJ Civic Centre on 1 December 2015. Entrance will be by “donation”, starting from RM50 to RM1,000.
There will also be a series of smaller shows with a whole different line up at Damansara Performing Arts Centre from 4 – 6 December 2015. Tickets are priced at RM100 and RM60. – November 16, 2015.
For more information and to buy tickets, head over to Instant Cafe Theatre's website.
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