In an era dominated by media, the enduring allure of live theater remains a cherished craft that never fails to captivate audiences with its genuine emotions and profound impact.

 

‘Beruang Menagih hutang’ was the enchanting realm of Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) theater shedding light on its appeal, the passion of its actors and the enchanting secrets hidden behind the curtains. At the heart of this narrative lies a production at a USM that has sparked admiration and anticipation across campus.

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Theater stands as one of humanity's traditions in storytelling tracing back to times in Greece. The Greeks recognized the power of drama to educate, entertain and delve into the complexities of existence.

 

Today theater has evolved into an art form encompassing masterpieces and avant garde experiments. Each performance, be it a musical or an intimate show, upholds a tradition of storytelling that has been integral to civilization, for generations.

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Universiti Sains Malaysia theater holds a position in this legacy. It serves as a nurturing ground for emerging artists allowing young actors, directors and writers to hone their craft and explore horizons. The plays staged in these settings frequently capture the varied viewpoints of the student community playing a role in shaping the cultural landscape of the campus.

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On 24th May 2024, Universiti Sains Malaysia held an absolutely amazing piece of art on the stage of the theater in Panggung Sasaran, USM. The theater was unique with many hidden messages behind the actual performance, making audiences in awe of every little movement and letter of the script that was played by an astounding performer consisting of only one actor and two actresses.

 

The theater play was illustrating a woman in Russia that had lost her husband during World War 2. Most interestingly, the play was composed in Bahasa Indonesia, catching the audience full attention with the slightly different narration. 

 

According to Alex Liew June Chung, the director of ‘Beruang Menagih Hutang’, the theater was actually prepared for his final year project as he is studying under the school of arts. He proposed his first script to the lecturer using Indonesian language to challenge himself in doing something different than usual.

 

“The reason why I chose this script is because it’s related to inequality of power between men and women, relating this to current issues that are being brought up in the center of the world’s attention. The plays want to portray the possibility of unity between the two different genders. There are so many kind souls that are willing to help me in making my theater direction go smoothly and successfully”, said Alex.

 

Fatimah Manaf, acting coach of the theater ‘Beruang Menagih Hutang’, explained that the context of the staging for final year projects of drama and theater students are divided by three different majors consisting of acting, direction, and sinography. She added that theater is usually held as an introduction of ideas, messages, uplifting issues and many more. 

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“Overall, the play's production is challenging because every person involved has a different personality, different effort as well as different dialect as students are from different parts of Malaysia. Synchronization of understanding is difficult although possible, and to me this is on the top list of the most challenging experiences”, added Fatimah.

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“Since I was in primary school I have always caught myself astonished by arts and literature. I have a deep interest in theater play, and I have done a school novel adaptation, I wrote a script and directed a school play. After I graduated from Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia, I pursued my interest by applying myself to study in drama and theater under School of Arts, USM.

 

The more I learn, the more I realize my passion towards being a part of theater, as the arts is extremely unique, and very engaging to convey an accurate message for the public to understand the reality and detail of what is happening around the world in the short play entertainingly”, said Fatimah.

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As long as there are tales to tell and audiences eager to hear them, the theater's lights will shine brightly, highlighting the limitless possibilities of human expression.

 

The latest USM performance of ‘Beruang Menagih Hutang’ demonstrates the exciting and dynamic world of theater. The amazing cast, passionate crew, and constant USM community support, this show has left an indelible mark. As the curtain falls on this magnificent performance, the spirit of theater lives on, ready to inspire and enchant future generations of storytellers and viewers alike.