Magical Journey of a Legendary Princess - PGLM 3

Words just couldn't described my feelings - being feets away from this legendary princess and her love in Panggung Sari, Istana Budaya last Saturday night. Praise the Lord, for again, another dream come true for me in Istana Budaya merely few months apart from each other. The other dream being an inivatition to watch Mamma Mia the Musical in Dec 2008. My heart couldn't contend how proud I was that PGLM 3 is of a greater standard in term of production, storyline and esthetical value than Mamma Mia. Datin Seri Tiara, you delivered what promised me in your 12 Jan entry. Thank you and please accept my most heartfelt and huge CONGRATULATIONS!!!!


That Saturday night show was supposed to be the last show for the season but due to popular demand they extended it to last night. Just my luck, most of the main cast and production crew were present last night. Dick Lee, Datuk Zahim Albakri, Roslan Aziz ... I was right behind Dick Lee when I told my friend Emel that the score was arranged by a Singaporean composer named Dick Lee and he is in front of us. Perhaps he overheard me and turned to face me. Hehehehe... I just smiled. Mr Lee, if you happens to read my blog, I was about to congratulate you on your score arrangement .... but the words just didn't came out.

Puteri Gunung Kulim (my best friend Emel) and Puteri Puncak Seri Kembangan (myself) arrived early at Istana Budaya yesterday to pick up our tickets, to beat the traffic jam and ensuring a nice parking spot for Froggie. So while waiting for the show to start at 8.30 pm, we a had a light snack at the cafeteria when suddenly ... the dashing wickedly gorgeous Stephen Rahman Hughes stepped into the cafe. He was in a simple blue sweater and dark coloured bermuda, with a TAPAU on his hand.

Despite that ... he was still dangerously yummylicious to my eyes. Oh Cupid ... what have you done to me?????? Even Emel was love-strucked (I guess) coz she kept asking me questions about him ... Plus, tiba2 jer nak ambik diving license after finding out Stephen Rahman loves to dive in Tioman Island during his free time.

I didn't got the chance to watch PGLM Season 1 and Season 2, however to me PGLM Season 3 has definitely bring our teater bangsawan to a greater height and a totally different level. Although PGL fairy tale + historical romance + myth + magic + tragedy formula didn't work for me in the movie version, luckily for all PGL fans, this didn't faltered this Datin's determination to bring this masterpiece into the local musical scene.


For that reason, this lady earned my respect ... a Malaysian brand in every aspect - her entrepreneurial instincts perhaps from her Chinese background to bring a movie to stage in a society yang baru nak appreciate performing arts, and her product - a Malaysian historical legend based East Meet West musical/modern bangsawan. I won't bore you with details of the storyline and improvements made on PGLM 3 ... you read about it here.

Again ... about Stephen Rahman Hughes, if his looks alone dah made me swoon ... wait till you hear his voice. My God! So soulful and mesmerizing. I thought he might slipped to his Mat Salleh accents in the show but to my suprise ... he said his line in a fluent Malay siap dengan that unmistaken Malaccan dialect. Melake, kande ... hehehe. I have learned my lesson from the last Mamma Mia show, so right after the show's I made a dash to the exit so that I could take the best snap of him during the meet the fans session. But I was so geram with this Abang besar in black shirt who was controlling the meet the fan session. Everytime I wanted to snap picture of Stephen, his big back will blocked my view. So frustating ...

Ida Mariana, excellent potrayal as Bayan, Gusti Putri's nanny had earned her rave reviews in local medias lately. I had to admit that this jazz singer has certainly captivated the audience not only with her voice but also her acting skills. I love the part when she recited a Javanese mantra preparing Gusti Putri on her journey to Mount Ledang, Keraton style, and wowed the audience with magic tricks with flame.

Adlin Aman Ramlie ... what can I say ... his potrayal as the dancing Sultan Mahmud of Melaka was very hillarious... the audience had a good laugh when he started making some familiar but comical modern dance moves ... love it. But the scene that showcased his talents best was the scene when the Sultan cast a curse on Gusti Puteri ... Lakonan yang sungguh mantap... you could feel your body trembling as if the scene was very real. AC Milan as Gusti Adipati pun mantap, I guess the role as the fierce-looking Majapahit king was meant for him.

A grander stage props, visual and high-tech effects, excellent musical scores and arrangement .. I am not sure about the scripts and storyline but to me it was beautifully executed by the actors and actresses ... with punchlines at all the right places. At one point, I had tears in my eyes when Gusti Putri found out that Hang Tuah was not climbing Mount Ledang to see her but to lead the utusan peminangan for Sultan Mahmud of Melaka ... I could feel her heart and hopes were shattered when Hang Tuah said " apa yang kanda mampu lakukan, tangan terikat di langit, kaki terpacak di bumi ... " I was like duhhhh Tuah ... why can't you just elope with her to Southern Thailand ... hahaha

I truly hope that Datin Seri reconsider her decision to make PGLM 3 the end of the journey for Gusti Putri. To me, this musical by far is the best musical that I have watched so far and worth my every single ringgit and sens. ... To Tuah, feel free to climb Puncak Seri Kembangan (in that red hot sleeveless shirt of yours) if you are looking for a HOT new princess girlfriend. Life must go on man. BTW, Gusti Putri is so not your type ...