Wangi Jadi Saksi

I was honored to be invited to watch a special preview screening of Wangi Jadi Saksi, a Malay theatrical play at Dewan Bahasa Pustaka (DBP) in Kuala Lumpur recently.

Wangi Jadi Saksi is a Malay play set in the times of the great Malaccan Empire in the 1500's.  The very famous story of Hang Tuah and Hang Jebat, the great warriors of those days.  For many of you who do not know about the story of Hang Tuah, Hang Tuah was sentenced to death by the Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mansor Shah after he was caught courting one of the Sultan's women which in reality, he was framed due to his popularity by Patih Karma Vijaya.  When word got around of his death, his best friend who is also his best buddy set forth to wreck havoc to the Malaccan Empire due to the Sultan's quick decision in giving out the sentence.

The play is about Dang Wangi, Hang Jebat's wife who witnessed the whole event and relating it very differently from what we know happened.  Dang Wangi was in the castle which Hang Jebat did a sort of coupe-de-gras by himself.  How did he do it?  Well with the keris Tamingsari of course, which gave him the power of invincibilty.  How to die like that right?

Okay so the story goes, Hang Tuah didn't actually die.  He was actually hidden by the Bendahara without the Sultan's knowledge, so when Hang Jebat did his thing, the Sultan kinda said like "Gee, I wished Hang Tuah was still alive" (not the Sultan's exact words ok).  So the Bendahara explained that Hang Tuah is actually still alive and the Sultan immediately gave Hang Tuah the royal pardon IF he can stop Hang Jebat and the Sultan got back his castle...and so the story goes.

Now, in the books of Sejarah Melayu and Hikayat Hang Tuah, Hang Tuah went to the castle with the Bendahara to kill Hang Jebat.  Hang Tuah went in and a duel ensued ending with Hang Jebat being killed by Hang Tuah, but Dang Wangi, who was in the castle, told a different story of what actually happened.

The setup of play is simple but realistic.  Do not expect anything to be the likes of Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical as this is not a lovey dovey story.  Hang Jebat played by Sobri Anuar was very arrogant as he knew, he 'ruled' with the keris Tamingsari and was untouchable.  Dang Wangi, played by Vanida Imran (she looked damn good..almost like Sofea Jane) was the very loyal wife to Hang Jebat.  Both Sobri and Vanida put on a fantastic show..very realistic.  Bendahara played by non other than Rahim Razali was superb (he was also superb in Puteri Gunung Ledang The Movie) and getting him in was a good move.  Khalid Salleh played Patih Karma Vijaya and his Javanese accent was good.  Those who do not understand Javanese may find it tough to intepret what he's actually saying.  Sabri Yunus narrated part of the story, sort of to speed up the whole process of understanding what was going on politically in Malacca at that time, and why Hang Tuah was considered as a 'threat' to some people.

Overall the play (which we only saw till halftime) was above average.  It is something to make you think, whether there are other versions of the Hang Tuah vs Hang Jebat duel.  Was Dang Wangi telling the real story or are you convinced what was written in Sejarah Melayu, Hikayat Hang Tuah and P.Ramlee's famous (first color movie) is the Real McCoy?  I would like to watch the whole thing because when it was halftime, I wasn't satisfied with the answer.

Wangi Jadi Saksi is written and directed by non other than U-Wei Hj Shaari, the same guy who directed the famous 'Perempuan, Isteri dan ...'. (now I know why Vanida looks so much like Sofea Jane), 'Jogho' and 'Kaki Bakar' and is a leBrocquy Fraser Production produced by Julia Fraser (doesn't she look a wee bit like Julia Roberts?)

Anyway the play starts from July 27th right up to 6th of August 2006, 8.30pm Tuesday - Sunday and 3.00pm Saturday and Sunday and will be staged at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka's new auditorium. Tickets are priced at RM35, 55, 75 and 100.  For ticket info call Axcess Hotline at 03-7711-5000 or head on to www.axcess.com.my for ticket booking. 

A special mention goes to Subterfudge Advisory - Sneaking Your Own Chocolate Into The Business (what does that mean la?) for a job well done and executed.

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