Ha, ha, ha, I have never been to a theatre. I mean really buying a ticket to see a life play being performed on stage. There I was, for the next two hours all by myself watching Eugene Ionesco’s Rhinoceros and consciously feeling very awkward of this new beginning. It was a very spontaneous decision that ended me in the theatre. I was reading the day’s paper and my eyes caught interest in the theatre column. Being an amateur I grab upon the opportunity of viewing Rhinoceros as my first hand experience. I have to admit the decision at that point of moment is entirely influenced by the very little price I have to pay, a student’s price of RM11.00 only. The fact that my financial is coming to the end of a critical balance in my saving account due to the festivity of Hari Raya and school holiday, I was not feeling ashamed of showing my student’s card to entitle me a meagre price ticket. Mind you, I am 43 and a student all over again amidst all the young students queuing for the tickets. I was feeling very embarrassed then.
Thank God that I am breathing my air in the information age, somehow or rather I managed to get as much information as possible of Rhinoceros from the Internet. Though it was only the synopsis that I managed to read as well as scanning through notes on play viewing, performer’s guide to theatrical elements, and visual and performing arts content standards and strands of the State of California, at the very least, I was very proud of myself that I did not come unprepared. My 30 minute research of Rhinoceros turned out to be worthwhile after all. There was nothing that I can really make the head and tail off as I ran my eyes through the poster of this performance at Panggung Bandaraya, if I had not done that little research. I really gave myself a pat on the shoulder, never mind a praise to yourself is not a praise at all but its self-esteem, the feeling of grandeur that later gave me superiority in my own context. Never mind the others, I came to watch this play for the reason I came.
As I watch the play understanding the literary elements no longer became my prime concern, mainly because that was not the objective of viewing one. I began to explore the theatrical elements- the costumes, props, sets, acting, lighting even the audience which I mentally jot down. I was so immersed in my critical thinking that I began to enjoy being there. I even gave a hard stare to my neighbouring audience who began chatting noisily for I want to be in total captivity of my performers. I knew I had now conquered my feeling of inferiority of a theatre goer during the 15 minutes break. As I stood among the audience at the foyer of Panggung Bandaraya, veterans’ theatre goer and amateurs like me are easily identified. I was very proud of myself that I no longer have the feeling of an outcast; I overcome my fear of ever understanding a theatre.
It is very natural of me to be very spontaneous and at the same time I am also a procrastinator. Wow! I really am glad there is such a thing, a dateline and that this time around I did not stop to delay my task. Prior arrangements were made with three other friends but their preferences were for the Saturday (11 December 2004) or Sunday (12 December 2004) matinee which shows at 3 in the afternoon. The Rhinoceros ends on Sunday, 12 December 2004 and with the tickets for the last two days fully book I was left with no option to go but all by myself for the night show on the 8 December. Well, I am looking forward for Carmen which will be performed on the 17 until 19 December 2004 at Istana Budaya, very much excited about it. It is okay to be at the RM50 seat; after all I am an amateur, still.
Thank God that I am breathing my air in the information age, somehow or rather I managed to get as much information as possible of Rhinoceros from the Internet. Though it was only the synopsis that I managed to read as well as scanning through notes on play viewing, performer’s guide to theatrical elements, and visual and performing arts content standards and strands of the State of California, at the very least, I was very proud of myself that I did not come unprepared. My 30 minute research of Rhinoceros turned out to be worthwhile after all. There was nothing that I can really make the head and tail off as I ran my eyes through the poster of this performance at Panggung Bandaraya, if I had not done that little research. I really gave myself a pat on the shoulder, never mind a praise to yourself is not a praise at all but its self-esteem, the feeling of grandeur that later gave me superiority in my own context. Never mind the others, I came to watch this play for the reason I came.
As I watch the play understanding the literary elements no longer became my prime concern, mainly because that was not the objective of viewing one. I began to explore the theatrical elements- the costumes, props, sets, acting, lighting even the audience which I mentally jot down. I was so immersed in my critical thinking that I began to enjoy being there. I even gave a hard stare to my neighbouring audience who began chatting noisily for I want to be in total captivity of my performers. I knew I had now conquered my feeling of inferiority of a theatre goer during the 15 minutes break. As I stood among the audience at the foyer of Panggung Bandaraya, veterans’ theatre goer and amateurs like me are easily identified. I was very proud of myself that I no longer have the feeling of an outcast; I overcome my fear of ever understanding a theatre.
It is very natural of me to be very spontaneous and at the same time I am also a procrastinator. Wow! I really am glad there is such a thing, a dateline and that this time around I did not stop to delay my task. Prior arrangements were made with three other friends but their preferences were for the Saturday (11 December 2004) or Sunday (12 December 2004) matinee which shows at 3 in the afternoon. The Rhinoceros ends on Sunday, 12 December 2004 and with the tickets for the last two days fully book I was left with no option to go but all by myself for the night show on the 8 December. Well, I am looking forward for Carmen which will be performed on the 17 until 19 December 2004 at Istana Budaya, very much excited about it. It is okay to be at the RM50 seat; after all I am an amateur, still.
Its a nice blog and you are an exellent writer I mostly skimmed through it but it was only cuz I am on a schedule for fun like surfing the net(sounds wierd I know,)If you arent a published writer you really should be I really liked your style of writing
ReplyDelete