Noises from the chatters of the audiences.
Dark by the alley, away from light; where a little story would begin.
Dancers stood in by dirty bricks of wall. The silence broke into what sounded like growls of animals. The dancers began narrating stories symbolisms in signs of body language. The surrounding sounds, life which begun on the streets; where life as a narration itself begun from the very heart of Penang. The lights dimmed; and audiences followed dancers to their next 'scene'.
Dancers by the Alley
Sounds of the siren, fights, and movements indicated defence as how it would have seemed to be like during the Japanese attacks. Screams, clashing of sticks, pain and what would seem like horror at midnight were painted. It seemed as if history brought itself back to life on these very same streets years ago.
Seated in a semicircle, it felt very theatre-like, yet, it was again an open space; except this time, by what would seem like an old-fashioned 'Home'. The windows were like Chinese houses as they were built, which still stands as it is until today in the heart of town. Typical as it was, a story about two lovers was shown. Of how a man once picked stones from the ground. To get the attention of his loved one, he would throw them to her window. She dances beautifully by her grilled window, where the pink tiny flowers she throws from above symbolizes gentle love and affection. He would stroll by each day, until he won her affection. Their love is beautifully portrayed by the mirrored movements and beautiful lifts. However, despite their romance and love for each other, religion becomes the barrier to their love which is portrayed by symbolic clasps of hands in the girl (Buddhist) while her lover, A muslim. Strong in believe, non-negotiable facts lead to the end of this love story. Music of the Erhu gives a very mellow, sad, yet beautiful ambience in this scene.
Dance of the Lovers
We sat around a lighted house just a street down from the previous house, where musicians and singers gathered. At first, I found it rather odd. However, when the audiences begun to join performers in clapping and singing; I then realized what this scene was all about. No doubt it consisted of an acoustic electric guitar, erhu and percussion, the response of the audiences brought back what would seem to be like a gathering of crowds, singing happily together years ago. The song selection also represented the Bangsawan play that previously originated from Penang. That sense of cosiness and warmth filled within, as the stories my grandparents told me suddenly appeared so real to me.
We travelled further to another street where we witnessed different scenes. The dancers opened their weaved mats unto the road, their movements so symbolic in association with voice. There and then, we knew that they were delivering to us, the memory of a market scene. Later, they portrayed another form of culture from the Minangkabau, known as the Randai. From a scattered market scene, their mats were curled up, put aside and they gathered in a circle. To begin with, Randai is a traditional form of dance with symbolism of a circle indicating equality to each other, despite race, age or gender. It was clearly portrayed with their vocal 'hep' sounds to dance movements which were in a form of martial arts and contained elements of 'silat' in it. Traditional, powerful, and magical; you could almost feel the ambience building up to its peak.
Dance of the Randai with Martial Arts and Silat movements
It then led to a walking journey of which had a very dark side, back to the pain of the Japanese era. Except, this time, nobody fought. Bodies, taken souls. These could be seen when dancers took up white cloth, covering their bodies and staring straight with the haunted expression. It almost seemed as if they were dead, even if alive, experiencing the lost of souls. This eventually causes depression and death in physical as well.
As we travelled along the red light district area, a girl sat on the first floor at the edge of the balcony in blood-seductive-red dress. Her movements were sleek bringing to live, the feel of how prostitutes would linger around by the streets at dark of night.
We landed in an open space where the ambience became bright again. Dancers made an entrance on bikes and bicycles. They were dressed colouful, in sports attire portraying our country's championship in the Olympics, ranging from Badminton games to gymnastics. They executed beautiful freezes, splits and stunts heightening up the mood of the audiences.
Finally, we travelled to the last scene, in a lot called Sekeping Victoria. The building had trees growing in the inside. Dancers were in brownish nature-nude colours, partly indicating closeness to nature. What amused the audiences were the danger of the dances, whereby dancers danced on a high beam-like structure. Dancers were all in freeze and only started joining in one by one. The tension was built and different people were dancing at different places. It was so complex, in a world I couldn't understand. I then realized, that they were relating to the world of today. The scene changed to as one in a night club, and the unexpected part was the pulling of audiences into the performance floor too join them. Audiences then dispersed back to their seats at the change of music. The dancers grouped in a clan, moving together. Some, climbing on each other, being connected all together attempting to climb the flight of stairs together. I'm not too sure what this meant. But in my opinion, I guess that they were sending a message out to the public, to stay hand in hand with one another when passing through hindrances.
Tonight's performance by Bridges and Kaki Lima was truly an amazing experience. I thought I knew Penang as it was. But for the first time, the painting of the history of Penang came to life. I experienced the horror, joy and pain of people whom I never met, stories which were never told. All that was forbidden and a myth, became a wonderful journey and adventure. Thank you guys for the lovely piece!
