"One exists for another"
Tapang Tree
2019
Synopsis
A dance theatre performance inspired by the true story Madam Ong, 82 years old, a Sarawakian, a revolutionist, a survivor of war, a mother who still bears the past. How much does it cost to bury a secret, away from everybody including your own children, for more than 50 years? With her days numbered, Madam Ong decides to unveil her deepest secret- her early life as the wife of Commander Yong, chief of a guerrilla force during the early formation of Malaysia. A story of kinship, true love, friendship and mercy at times of war.
"One exists for another." -Mdm Ong
《达邦树》是启发自真人真事的一个舞蹈剧场演出。2016年，病危的王女士决定揭开埋藏50余年的秘密。身为砂劳越人民游击队第三支队的司令夫人，她见证了当年成立马来西亚时的动荡，更卷入了革命的武装斗争。王女士也是第三支队覆灭后的两位幸存者之一。一个关于革命斗争、亲情、友情、爱情的故事。
"一个人活着，是为了另一个人的延续。" -王女士
Tapang Tree (Trailer & Excerpts)
Photo credits : Aaron Hiew
6th & 7th July 2019 Black Box Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
Artistic Director/ Choreographer/Performer Tang Sook Kuan. Dance/Movement Artists Devi Kusardy Hannah Lauren J.Moujing Susana Francis Redzahuddin bin Duman Toh Min Min Nur Fazzilah IzzahP. Jaidun Ratna Fazlinda Wester Maljos. Alfon Ted Anthony
Production Team Producer Tang Sook Kuan Dramaturg & Promotion Devi Kusardy. Ticketing & Front of House Ratna Fazlinda, Cheng Jia Min Stage Manager Skyler Liew Vui Hin Lighting Designers Skyler Liew Vui Hin, Richard Heng Audio & Sound Chris Periera Set Designer Japson Tan Props Master Redzahuddin bin Duman Costume Victor Pangayan, Wester Maljos Photographer/Videographer Aaron Hiew. Graphic Designer EK Chan
Supported by Black Box KK Suria Sabah Liku-liku Center for Creative Therapy Storyteller Creative Factory The Orange Channel Megaboogie Sound & Lights
Press & Feedbacks
Heart-wrenching tale from dance...Through the dance, Tang tried to send a message about the triumph of the human spirit in the midst of a violent conflict.
Daily Express Malaysia
Press
**To read the rest of the review, click here.
The dance theatre performance itself was truly remarkable for its combination of superbly choreographed acting, dances, lighting, soundscape and in one memorable instance also involving the audience as impromptu supplementary actors!….
The end effect was the drawing-in of the audience into the early independence struggles of the communist revolution in the fledgling, soon-to-be Malaysian state of Sarawak...
Associate Prof. Dr. Sanen Marshall
University Malaysia Sabah
A moving, emotional dance theatre inspired by a true Malaysian story. Glad to have caught this heartfelt performance that really showcased the powerful expression of dance and pure honesty in delivery which really moved me.
Jennifer Thompson
Managing Director, J TWO| Entertainment
A great art work, a high-quality "living art work"!
I was moved from the beginning until the end! The performance was real and authentic!
The performing body and movements are contained and full of spiritual connotation. I was emotionally engaged through the ups and downs of the dance theatre… didn't want to miss out any moment!
Every performer is equally great! Very captivating!
Kathlyn Yew
I guess I did come here thinking I'd be entertained at the most but I got more than that. My heart was moved, my emotions were evoked and I was educated about a small part of our country's history that is hardly/never talked about.
With little or no props throughout most of the 1.5 hour production, the dancers navigated our hearts through mother-daughter relationships, friendship, love and loss by stimulating treacherous jungle trekking, river crossing and dodging bullets.
Daphene & Kenneth
Purmaculture
I'm not a dance person, not in a slightest bit. The performance still moved me nevertheless. Because it is almost impossible for one not to be moved by a sincere and honest performance.
Tapang Tree is a piece of love made with love.
Ryan Ong
Film Writer
Academic Publication
THE INTIMATIONS OF MDM. ONG: AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF SARAWAK'S COMMUNIST INSURGENCY
Sanen Marshall, Tang Sook Kuan
E-Proceedings of 2nd International Conference on Humanities Studies 2019 (pg 359-365),
eISBN 978-967-2166-45-0
ABSTRACT
The theme of heroes and villains is one that dominates Malaysian history. The attempt to skew Malaysian school history, in particular, based on an official history that reads backwards like a history winners and losers, heroes and villains tends to disregard other approaches to history such as those suggested by the proponents of a "people's history" of Malaysia. The authors revisit Malaysian school history textbooks down the years. The authors consider in brief topics that have caused controversy, such as the communist insurgency in Malaysia. The authors supplement the known historical information of Sarawakian communist cadres from the 1960s with information obtained from oral history. The paper thus contributes an insider's view towards reconstructing the actions and towards understanding the motivations of one of Sarawak's major communist troops. The paper draws upon non-conventional sources of information for this reconstructed history, especially as has recently been portrayed through the second author's dance theatre performance called Tapang Tree (Kota Kinabalu: 6 th July 2019). The authors conclude with a discussion on the utility of a people's history for conveying an authentic historical account of the evolution of Malaysia from the upheavals caused by decolonization and nationalism.
Keywords: Nationalism, Decolonisation, Communist Insurgency, People's History, Sarawak