Magical 30 marks a new age for Dama, wherein new songs are brought to the stage and young emerging performers step into the spotlight (All photos: Dama Asia)
If a certain original song written by prolific American composer and lyricist Irving Berlin for the 1946 musical Annie Get Your Gun is anything to go by, then surely there is no business quite like show business. For some, it is the brilliant lights, meticulous sets and dashing costumes that keep them coming back for more, while for others it is an innate calling that pushes them through ruthless rounds of auditions and callbacks.
Regardless of what motivates a performer, producer or director, what ultimately matters is putting on a production that resonates with audiences. It is this amalgamation of adrenaline and applause that makes up the allure of the performing arts realm, which the cast and crew of Dama Asia Productions — particularly artistic director Pun Kai Loon, also one of Dama’s original founders — know all too well.
The company celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and the journey to get to this point was not for the faint of heart. “We started out as a classical Chinese musician group. As we had musicians from various states, we decided to call ourselves Dama — literally ‘Big Horse’ in Mandarin, and a nickname for Malaysia,” Pun recounts.
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The group quickly expanded into a 30-member troupe, but just as swiftly downsized to merely six during the 1997/98 Asian financial crisis. With funds dwindling along with the market for classical Chinese music, Pun and others realised it was time for a change.
“Our switch to Chinese golden oldies — featuring songs made famous by the galaxy of superstars of yesteryear — provided a breakthrough for Dama,” he says. These catchy earworms, played predominantly in nightclubs, were given a “fresh artistic makeover” and quickly catapulted Dama into its prime with more than 80 shows staged in the following years.
However, there were many more hardships, the most damaging being the 2003 flash floods that inundated Dama’s Dataran Merdeka basement office, taking almost a decade of assets with it. Just when all seemed lost, its surrounding community and supporters — namely Tan Sri Liew Kee Sin, Puan Sri Chong Wen, Datuk P Y Choong, Datin Maggie Teh and Datin Susan Lai — threw Dama a financial lifeline which gave the group a new lease of life.
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Pun says aid also came from S P Setia, the Rotary Club of Pudu, the Banjir Fund spearheaded by Uma Puspanathan and even Greenland Records, which wrote off most of Dama’s CD consignment debts.
Even though the past three decades have been littered with obstacles, Pun recalls his years as artistic director with fondness. When asked about the most memorable productions to date, the one that immediately comes to his mind is none other than Butterfly Lovers: The Musical — the company’s first full-fledged musical, based on the opera of the same name. After receiving much success in the homeland, the production even had a stint at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth, Australia. “I remember vividly during the blackout, just before the curtain call, there was pin-drop silence in the hall. I still remember whispering to our producer Khor Seng Chew, ‘Oh, no!’ However, what we got during the curtain call was a very rousing standing ovation that lasted more than five minutes. It seemed eternal though.”
Empress Wu, Dama’s longest-running show, was another particularly noteworthy presentation for Pun, though not for the same reasons as Butterfly Lovers. In the midst of preparing for the show, which had sold out weeks before it even kicked off, he discovered that his notebook, along with the script, had been stolen. The worst part? There was no backup copy.
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“I could not think straight. I didn’t know what to do,” he reminisces. “We made a call to Seng Chew, who was on an assignment in China, and sought his advice on the next steps as I was pacing up and down in the office throughout the day. I calmed down eventually, and went about compiling bits and pieces of the script forwarded to various production people for vetting and verification. With the help of Lim Soon Heng and Lim Kien Lee of the KL Shakespeare Players fame, we eventually managed to piece together a workable script as rehearsals progressed.”
That said, it is the time spent engaging with the cast and crew, as well as sponsors and the audience, that keep the spark alive for Pun. “It is always such a gratifying moment when a kind-hearted individual comes forward to volunteer their services or make donations. It is instances like these that make our life in the arts such an amazing and warm-hearted journey. The most memorable moments are not only about the shows themselves, but the collaborations with the production and creative team.”
As Dama commemorates its 30 years, the troupe is set to perform, as Pun calls it, “a song and dance extravaganza that pays homage to the unwavering support of theatre supporters and audience who have walked the musical path with us”. Titled Magical 30: A Malaysian Musical Journey, the fundraiser comprises a medley of songs in English, Malay, Chinese, Tamil, Korean and Latin. It honours Malaysia’s rich and diverse heritage, while simultaneously demonstrating the perseverance and dedication demanded by an exciting but unpredictable performing arts field. The Edge, which is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is back once again to present the multi-lingual show with the help of other sponsors including Aham Asset Management, ECM Libra, EcoWorld, Gamuda Land, IGB, Newfields, RCE, S P Setia, Sime Darby Foundation and Sunway Property.
Soprano Tan Soo Suan returns to the stage in Magical 30. Although the star had to miss out on the company's two previous fundraising musicals — Glitz & Glamour and In Perfect Harmony Too (both of which were also co-sponsored by The Edge to help Dama back on its feet after Covid-19) — in 2023 because of family commitments, she decided that celebrating the theatre outfit's 30-year legacy is not to be missed.
The 18-member cast will sing and dance to songs like Simply The Best, We Built This City, Thank You For The Music as well as Canto-pop hits by Sam Hui, Anita Mui and Alan Tam. There will also be renditions from the hit musical I Have A Date With Spring as well as local songs including Sudirman's One Thousand Million Smiles.
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Magical 30 marks a new age for Dama, wherein new songs are brought to the stage and young emerging performers step into the spotlight. As an industry veteran and mentor, Pun looks forward to this thrilling era and providing guidance to the next generation of Malaysia’s musical geniuses. “There are lots of talents out there. It would be a waste if they are not nurtured or given the opportunity to shine. So, while Dama may be 30 years old, Magical 30 is fresh, vibrant and youthful, with touches of nostalgia going for it.”
Time flies by in the blink of an eye. Still, with three decades gone and many more to come, Dama’s legacy is one thing Pun remains endlessly dedicated to. He urges all young performers to devote themselves to their craft, while emphasising the importance of financial savviness and networking while chasing one’s dreams.He advises them to “always be prepared to keep learning and improving. That is what separates the artist from the rest”.
While not much can be revealed about what is on the cards for Dama in the future, Pun says talks of collaboration with creatives in Japan, South Korea, China and England may soon see the company spreading its euphonious sounds overseas. The world is undoubtedly Dama’s oyster, with many pearls yet to be unearthed.
The Edge, which also turned 30 this year, is co-presenter of Magical 30 with Dama Asia. The show will run from Oct 10 until 20 at Stage 1, PJPAC, One Utama. For more information and to purchase tickets, see here.
This article first appeared on Oct 7, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
