Young director, Helena Foo, treads on new ground now, as she brings us her newest work: Three. With Lorna Hoong, Wong Wai Hoong, Nicole-Ann Thomas, Payal Vashist and Soni Deol, Helena delivers to audiences a piece of physical theatre inspired by Mitch Albom’s popular book The Five People You Meet In Heaven, and a few of Helena’s own memories. We spoke to Nicole-Ann, who revealed her un-motherliness, and told us about “this”.

~

Tell us about yourself.

Nicole's my name and theatre's my game! I’ve been doing this (and by “this” I mean theatre/singing/moving/you-name-it) for ages. The thing about it is you never stop learning, so it's all good. I am a very nice person. Caring and understanding. I have good skills when it comes to handling people, and I’m always there if you need me to remind you that life isn’t a bed of roses.

Tell us about your role in three.

I play Mother. But I am not yet one. Maybe it's a message ...

Then why do you think you got the part?

They were holding auditions, and I guess somewhere behind my scary facade Helena Foo -- the director -- saw a glimmer of motherly hope.

What's it like working with Helena?

She is quite the funny gal. Really. She looks angry half the time, but actually, it's just her way of zoning out.

How do rehearsals work out?

We get there, warm up, and then try to work and re-work scenes, keeping what works and discarding what doesn't. It's a collaborative ensemble piece -- we try to keep it organic.

We heard Helena has some torture warm-ups she likes to use on her actors.

Helena and torture? Nah. The two words can't co-exist together. She is a gentle little ... nymph. I think she’s had more experiences with my torturous methods instead. [Laughs]

How was the casts' stamina at the beginning of rehearsals?

Oh, some of them needed to be kicked up the ... can I use that word? But everyone knew what kind of work would be involved, and how much was needed from each and every member. So it wasn't a problem conditioning each other.

Tell us a really bad joke you heard in rehearsals.

That Lorna Hoong is actually a man.

Have you ever read Mitch Albom's The Five People You Meet In Heaven?

I am actually still in the process of reading it. Yah, I very bad wan. What to do? Work, rehearsals, work, rehearsals. But so far, it's quite different from Three. Three. is also based on Helena's own life experiences.

Give us one really good reason we should watch Three.

Wai Hoong's hot tight body!

What inspires you?

Good theatre. And people who start small, and never forget where they came from.

Any drama/gossip from behind the scenes you care to share?

Helena waxes her legs.

What are your greatest hopes for the production?

That the audience leave either loving it or hating it -- as opposed to total indifference.

What are your greatest fears for the production?

That my scene falls flat. Yikes!

Who is your secret super-hero alter-ego?

I am already a super-hero. But the other super-hero I would like to be is Mystique, from X-men.

Ok then, as Mystique, what is your one and only weakness?

Fear that if I lose my powers, I may be caught naked and therefore be charged in court for flashing.

What's the most productive thing you could do in 60 seconds?

Daydream about world peace. Hey! There’s a beauty queen in all of us.

What's next for you?

Dancing Through Broadway with Farah Sulaiman in June, then maybe a few other collaborative projects later in the year.

~

Yasmin Zetti Martin writes for Kakiseni.

Three. runs at Pentas 2, KLPac, Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan (off Jalan Ipoh) Kuala Lumpur, from Thu 10 - Sun 20 Apr 2008 (Tue - Sat: 8.30pm; Sun: 3pm; NO show on Mon). Tix cost RM25/ RM15 (students, sr. citizens & the disabled). For more information on ticket promotions, click here.