DEWAN Filharmonik Petronas has included a 'randai' performance in the showcase line-up of its three-month-long DFP Seni Festival 2024.
This will mark the first time this Malay folk theatre is staged there.
Titled 'DFP Muzikal: Randai Mudo Pak Belalang', the show by Genius Kids, featuring the children of staff members and alumni of Akademi Seni Budaya & Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara), is set to take place on Aug 10.
"When we were approached by DFP, we also had other traditional performances to highlight. But since 'randai' has yet to be performed there, we finally agreed to go ahead with this milestone moment," shares Aswara deputy rector Raja Nor Sheela Raja Aziddin.
A Minangkabau artform, 'randai' has its origins in West Sumatra, Indonesia, where in the olden days its was traditionally performed during the harvest season, at weddings and other cultural celebrations.
As people travelled across the Straits and settled in what is now known as Negri Sembilan, they brought their folk arts to the peninsula, along with other Minangkabau traditions.
Circular performance
Like many other local folk art forms, randai's complex stories were likely to span several nights when performed then, incorporating music, singing, dancing, drama and silat.
Staged in a circular configuration to achieve equality and unity between audience members and performers, each show is a synthesis of alternating martial arts dances, folk songs and acted-out scenes featuring stories mostly based on Minangkabau legends and folktale.
Originating in the early 20th century, 'randai' shows was initially performed by an all-male ensemble, meaning the female characters were also played by males.
However, in the 1960s, the door was opened for women to perform as well.
Young blood
'Randai Mudo Pak Belalang' will also mark the first theatre production staged at DFP with young theatre practitioners in the cast.
Genius Kids consists of 20 primary schoolchildren guided by musical director Mohd Adika Zainal.
Formed in 2019, they first started with dikir barat and Mek Mulung, with workshops and practise sessions held on Saturdays.
"When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the weekly training had to be stopped. In 2022, when we resumed, we started with 'randai'."
"After staging small-scale performances at Aswara, the group was invited to perform at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka," says Raja Nor Sheela.
Adika adds that 'randai', which is usually performed by adults, is one of the traditional art forms that's suitable to be introduced to youngsters.
"Children are like sponges who can easily absorb new information and pick up new skills. This art form is also exciting since it demands a lot of energy from its players via its dynamic dance movements and actions.
"It's good to explore this with the younger ones," he adds.
Chanelling energy
Of course, there are challenges as well for the children and Adika himself.
"When dealing with young children, the process is a little different and sometimes, a little longer.
"We need to train and expose them to the basics of live performance, such as acting and how to project their dialogue.
"And as this production was originally meant for adult actors, we took that into consideration with regards to the mature roles," he says.
Adika adds that they also have to be more understanding and patient.
"Kids being kids, sometimes they come to practice distracted. They might be sleepy or hungry, for example, so we need to be more flexible.
"It's understandable as they also have to go to school and deal with their other activities and chores," he explains.
However, he adds that the kids will also share their suggestions on how to get things moving in the right direction.
Ready to impress
It has taken him more than a year to expose and train the group to 'randai'.
"We took our time to go through it and the children are now thrilled about performing it on the bigger and prestigious DFP stage," he says.
Among the songs chosen for the buka gelanggang segment are 'Budu Landai', 'Cantik Manis' and 'Anak Bocek'.
'DFP Muzikal: Randai Mudo Pak Belalang', which also features Juhara Ayob as production manager and Mohamad Yusmar Afeendi Yusof (choreographer), is the third showcase of DFP Seni Festival 2024 after Jit Sin High School's Chinese Orchestra concert and the Mek Mulung Putera Cahaya Bulan performance.