A Lively Full House Harimau Johor Jauhar Tanah Permata Looking for Its Sequel

The successful staging of the Malay Harimau Johor Jauhar Tanah Permata theatre led one to another. 

After three sold-out shows on the 24th and 25th of May 2024, Gerak Teater Johor in collaboration with the Johor State Theater Council (Majlis Teater Negeri Johor), the Johor Bahru City Council (MBJB), Johor Tourism and Southern Region’s Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, powered by over 80 people of all ages, received positive feedbacks from the audiences, including from the Director of 2019’s ‘Bumi Berlantai Permata’ Musical Director, Sahruddin Manas, or Dean Manas. 

Directed by Senjakala based on the historian and National Laureate Shaharom Husin’s novel, the show offered a full dress rehearsal for the public to attend. Senjakala, when met after the rehearsal, said he was pleasantly surprised by the number of people turning up for the pre-show. He had shared that the actors and a lot of people working behind the scenes were having a fever but were standing on their feet, putting in a sheer amount of effort from their burning passion to make the show successful. 

Seated in the first row for the premiere were Tuan Haji Hasrin Kamal bin Hashim, Muar Disctrict Officer; Saifullizan Yahya, on behalf of Head Director of Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP); Tuan Haji Mohd Hanafi bin Samad, Johor State Education Director; Mohd Riduwan bin Wahab, Director of DBP Southern Region; Adila binti Buhari, Assistant Director of DBP Southern Region and Norzuzilawati binti Sulaiman, Assistant Director of DBP Southern Region.  

For its final show, Sharil Nizam bin Abdul Rahim, Director of Tourism Johor, Mohd Riduwan bin Wahab, Director of DBP Southern Region, Mohd Syazwan bin Abdul Raof, Assistant Director of Corporate Communications, official representative to Mayor of Johor Bahru City Council, Mohd Lutfi bin Zahid, official representative to DBP Kuala Lumpur’s Magazine Chief Editor, Anna Bess, official representative to DBP Kuala Lumpur’s Chief Department of Promotion and Recognition, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd Hatta bin Shahrom and Dr. Munawar bin Mohd Hatta, the heir to National Laureate, Shaharom Husain, the script writer of Harimau Johor and Musalmah binti Mohd Akil, Senior Tourism Officer in Tourism Malaysia Southern Region were in attendance.   

Ticket holders received complimentary drinks and tidbits before the show, akin to Istana Budaya’s pre-show hospitality. 

Audiences were treated to a galore of vibrant ancient costumes, reflected by the immersive lighting and smoke, clear audio that creates different kinds of ambience, and abstract choreography besides the action showdown.  

Clever tweaks of modern-day dialogue that were injected into the play helped spectators with a standard understanding of the Malay language for them to enjoy the show to the fullest, while also instilling the supposedly 18th century timeline for its show. 

In its close to two hours of running time, each character played a vital role in moving the story forward, conveying their emotions to be shared with the audience – making them empathise with their situation despite their position as protagonist or antagonist. 

The numbers and sound effects accompanying the performance were played by live musicians, who were seated at the corner of the stage and gleefully supported by ensembles, notably children, from Tari Aliff.  

With ticket prices ranging from RM15 to RM35 maximum, the show attracted theatre and performance enthusiasts – flocking to JOTIC’s hall as early as 7pm. Merchandise was selling fast, with sizes of t-shirts clearing off their shelves on the day of premiere – reflecting the high demand for such cultural experiences in the city. 

A week after the final show, Gerak Teater Johor, through its social media account, teased a poster with a similar theme as Harimau Johor, this time with a different title, ‘Si Bongkok’ or ‘The Hunchback’, another Johorean historical figure with a tale rarely yet worthy to be told.  

The NGO is also looking for talents, and interested parties in collaborating may get in touch with Mell at +6013 776 9968 or Liza at +6011 2850 7208.