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| Title : | Jewel of Tibet |
| Venue : | Panggung Sari Istana Budaya Jalan Tun Razak Kuala Lumpur Opening Hours : Mon–Thu: 9am-7pm, Fri: 9am-12pm, 3pm-7pm, Alt. Sat: 9am-7pm, Sunday/Public Holidays: 2pm-7pm URL : http://www.istanabudaya.gov.my |
| Date & Time : | Sun 2 - Sat 15 Mar 2008 (Tue - Sat: 8.30pm; Sun: 3pm) |
| Tickets : | Tue - Thu (8.30pm): RM233/ RM163/ RM133/ RM103/ RM53; Fri - Sat (8.30pm) & Sun (3pm): RM253/ RM183/ RM153/ RM123/ RM73 |
| Ticket Contact : | Axcess hotline: 03-7711 5000. Available at all Axcess outlets. |
| URL : | http://www.axcess.com.my |
| Synopsis : | From the majestic Tang Dynasty to the vast mystical land of Tibet, "Jewel of Tibet" follows Princess Wen Chang, who went on an arduous three year journey to Tibet, in order to fulfil a marriage arrangement to its king, Songsten Gampo. Expect 150 minutes of original music, dance, spectacular scene changes, backdrops, props, and over 200 sets of newly designed colorful ethnic costumes from the traditional Tang Dynasty and Tibet. Presented by Musical On Stage Productions, who are the same creative team behind the internationally acclaimed "Siddhartha: The Musical" and "Above Full Moon The Musical". Directed by Ho Lin Huay, with Imee Ooi as composer and featuring a talented cast from the pop music, classical music and dance scene. |
Public Rating
(Ok but not great)
( 205 ) votes
User Comments
| posted by Regina, Thu 06.03.200810:58:46 AM Readers say:  (Everyone's entitled to their opinion)
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| Being the first time I'm watching anything from this group, I have to say that I was completely blown away. Everything right from the sets right up to the costumes and dancing - elaborate and absolutely stunning! Amazing vocals from the leading cast, and I was surprised to learn that most(if not all) of them are quite young. I could feel the emotions coming from the characters even if I couldn't really understand what they were saying/singing. Being a 'banana' and having to rely on subtitles most of the time, I was captivated by what was happening on stage that I almost completely forgot about the subtitles and still got the story. Now, THAT, says something. I highly recommend watching this musical, regardless of race or religion, this is a production not to be missed. Kudos to all involved in this production!!
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| posted by Art Supporter, Sun 09.03.200811:21:17 AM Readers say: (Everyone's entitled to their opinion)
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| The dance choreography was mesmerising, the traditional costumes & props were a feast for the senses. They took the effort to capture the sceneries (waterfalls, mountains etc) & managed to transport the audience to their reality. Recommend buying the souvenir programme (book) at RM10 only to read the storyline. 1-15 March at 8.30pm every night except Monday. The review by Mei Choo (The Sun) reveals that this musical was a fully local production that took 2 years to produce.
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| posted by fello thespian, Wed 12.03.200809:05:03 AM |
| Some of my friends ask me is it from Taiwan?Of cause not and I really proud to say that, this is 100% made in Malaysia. Last Sunday I was there and I really surprise that Datin Tiara Jacklin(PGL musical) and Datin Siti Nurhaliza family was there. Thanks for supporting local Chinese Musical. For those who love music,art and able to understand Mandarin should go and watch it, especially our local Chinese radiosation DJ and celebrity who always mation to support local artist.
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| posted by Fellow Thespian, Wed 12.03.200813:40:27 PM Readers say:  (Outstanding post!)
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| I am not someone to tear any production down to bits, as I believe there is always another perspective or opinion when we speak of art. If you will kindly weigh my comments. I hope it can help your future productions. > The two leads have exceptional vocals, and frankly, it saved your production. > Unfortunately for me, that was the only positive thing. > The characters were extremely one dimensional with hardly any personality! All men act the same and all women act the same. Which makes it an extreme bore. Frankly, I almost couldnt tell one king from the other at one time. Dont tell me thats not possible. (if you Go see Portrait of an empress in singapore you'll realise how colourful the characters are, an its similar in genre) > And the King in the Lead, he sometimes overacts. It comes off abit silly sometimes. Again, you have a great voice though. > The story and characters was weak,energy was low, even from the ensemble. And it didnt help that the transitions were so slow and not well thought out enough. There were too many blackouts in transitions, the energy suddenly drops and the pull back into full energymode is a struggle. > There were many unpurposeful lines and unnecessary greetinglines that only made it draggy. > The music was just too much in low energy format , which didnt help the performers, esp even in the ensemble scenes. And frankly, too much use of STRINGS. Yah I know, its tibetan musical influence, but you just cannot hold the audience too long with that! My mom fell asleep! And yes, can I say I saw a few others doze off too?? The songs all sounded alike btw. Didnt go home remembering any of them. > I dont believe in just saying thngs like, the set was great and the costumes was beautiful thought they were not bad. Its too superficial for me. Nothing in it moved me at all. I did not find it inspiring the least. > RM163 was not worth it for me.(And that was only 2nd tier tickets) Too expensive. Frankly, I'm someone who is willing to pay to watch a good show, but this was very very dissapointing. In the west end for example, you are not allowed to charge prices like that if you do not have a live band or orchestra. Correct me if Im wrong, but i DID NOT SEE ONE. Where were they? How can you not give your audience their money's worth? In terms of local musical productions, PGL is still the best I've seen. You might like to take page from their book.
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| posted by Runaway Composer, Thu 13.03.200818:22:00 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| I have watched all 3 musicals you guys produced since siddhartha 10 years ago. I have to say there was no improvement at all musically. Let me know if i should voice out my professional opinion about music here, or send an email to your production house. I will carefully use my words and give contributive critics. I agree that the lead vocalist saved the whole show, and also the Wong Ye, Wen Cheng's father who did a great job. Music arrangement and the composition are really disappointed. The biggest sadness is the great satisfaction from the audience and public. Should we be happy for the great response or we should cry for this music scene in our country?
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| posted by Runaway Composer, Thu 13.03.200821:05:43 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| Since some friends encouraged me to voice out, so I am here now. I will only talk about the music. I will try to make my words simple and understandable, and am not attacking anyone in the production, but only criticizing the music. I went to the show on Tuesday, 2 days ago, was sitting at the $133 seat. 1. MIDI - The production was using very bad sample library for the music, I believe some cheap sound font library. Go check out East West Quantum Leap Symphony Orchestra. You can even get the pirated copies in Malaysia! I can sponsor you the original copy from the States thou. Or, spend some money to buy Vienna Symphony Orchestra... If you don't have money to hire live musicians. If you did use good libraries, I am sorry, then it is very obvious the arranger purely didn't spend much time on arrangement. To make your MIDI instruments sound better, spend enough time to create different strength (velocity) and duration on each note, making the instrument sounds as similar to the real one as possible. You know what I am talking about. Don't record them from your keyboard directly. You've got many overlapped notes when you played the keyboard and those sounds were really annoying. I doubt you didn't do panning too. So all instruments crammed and came out from the audio system in the middle. I am pretty sure the pre-recorded arrangement wasn't mastered and was delivered to the sound man in IB in one file. If Alvin Koh really did live sound for Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey and if he was the sound man of the Sheila Majid IJN Concert recently, I pitied him for being hired to play back a stereo track, with no control on the EQ. I sincerely apologize if I am wrong. 2. No space - Maybe it was terribly lack of time. But I believe you could save time if you wrote less, so that you could leave some rooms for the vocalist. Ms Chew is the best chinese vocalist (in the genre of broadway singing) in town, undoubtedly. I didn't see she had any chance to demonstrate her beautiful vocal tone colour, because your arrangement was just too busy. No space for her voice and my ears were very tired, especially the 1st half of the show. The whole 1st half was overcrowded with bad string arrangements. No space at all and the audience couldn't breath at all. How nice if you put a simple long notes softly and let the vocalist sang on top of it. How desperate I was to want to hear a huge drop in the arrangement so that I could hear the voice clearly, and feel her breathe, or some tiny sounds from her mouth movement or vocal projection. 3. The voicing of instruments - The arranger should know the vocal range well and try not to write something too close to that vocal line.The string passages were too busy when the vocalist sang. Some passages were even higher than the vocalist, this was disaster! As a result, the vocalists' voice couldn't come out, even if they shout! Also, the mixing of the pre-recording were too hot in the low frequency, or sometimes just too busy and too many notes in the lower register of the arrangement. 4. Arrangement and composition style - The arranger wasn't capable to compose in different moods. Happy, sad, lively, gloomy, angry.... they were all in the similar style of chord progressions and very little knowledge of arranging in different genre. There were obviously 2 different countries in the show, 2 different cultures. Yes, you did composed a folk tune for the solo dance, with slight different arrangement and melodic line (and of course, huge difference in the singing style) but sadly that was the best piece of the whole show. It was very weird to hear the same arrangement style from the Tang Dynasty in the part where Wen Cheng was in Tibet, again. How nice if you stayed with style you did for the solo dance, use the same kind of scale (You could easily do some researches on the Tibet kingdom, and copy their scales and use them in your composition) or just the same melody from solo dance but arrange them in different styles for different scenes in the Tibet story, with the use of folk instruments, and less strings. 5. Musical Character - It's important to use different instruments, OBVIOUS melodic passages to represent different people, different objects, sequence events... anything, to represent things in a show. Yes you did... but not obvious. So, by the end of the show I couldn't remember any theme of any character. Strings are all over the parts. What did the brass stand for? The arranger used brass representing the majesty of the Da Tang King (maybe), that was the only musical character I could remember, and yet, that part was badly composed. 6. Composition - Composer has very little knowledge about composition and harmony. Regardless the bad harmony writing, the cadences and chord progressions used in this musical were very limited. The composer couldn't demonstrate different compositional style to bring out the different moods in the show, and only relied on the voices to tell us the emotion of the scene. Too many perfect cadences introduced in the middle of a scene... created too much confusion. The use of bVI, bVII to tonic were overwhelmed in the whole show, in fact since the Musical Under the Full Moon. In terms of melodic writing, the composer showed no improvement since the 1st musical. The choice of the notes were badly used. Melody in many pieces were heading no where, and not written with a center element or idea. As a result, I couldn't remember any tune from the musical. I understand most of the time the passages were written for narrative lyrics and the composer tried to write close intervals so that the passages could be easily understood by the audience. But, the choice of the close intervals when writing narrative melody were deficient. In this case, I would say lyricist and composer should discuss more and find a better solution. Besides that, when arranging for busy vocal melody, I would advice you to write simple arrangement (longer notes, less movement) underneath the busy melody, so that the melody could be easily heard instead of the arrangement getting too much attention from the audience. You guys know how poor the awareness the public here is? I heard people crying behind me during the show, I heard people recommended me the show and said all instruments were recorded live and the music was well composed. Even one said there was an orchestra behind the stage... and I read the comment above saying audience were blown away. If audience here think this is how a musical should be... not expecting an internationally well-known production but just a locally produced good musical, tell me to shut up. I've been to 3 musicals in KL PAC. Even the worst one of those 3, Tunku is much better than this. Keep in mind that Tunku didn't have huge sponsor and was performed at under community organization. But too bad, not many people were interested to go there. This is the first time I voiced out my real thought about your show, publicly since the 1st musical 10 years. Simply because I am in this music industry too and I know it's important to respect other people works. But If after 10 years it's still a bad show people are going to, as bad as the 1st one 10 years ago, how far our local production can go? A big show like this certainly has the responsibility to raise public awareness of a serious production, and plays a important role in showing people outside our country what we Malaysian can do! If all the cover stories on papers are true about this production team getting great response internationally, I am sure there are people making up story! I am putting my foot down and asking you guys, don't pull the innocent public to even lower awareness! I knew there were many people criticized (musically) since the Sidhhartha. but I was wondering if those critics only reached the production's ears, but not their hearts. Audience are paying a lot to your show. and you guys should be grateful to get such big sponsors to put together great people and produce a big musical like this. Don't waste the chance! I am sincerely looking forward to going to your 4th musical, and expecting a great improvement ahead. I am responsible with my comment here, and will reply to any response to this message. If my words are harsh to any fan of this musical, I sincerely apologize. But if the production team don't take my comment seriously. I am so sorry for your guys. You are done! Sincerely, Runaway Composer Here is my email, Mezzofky@hotmail.com
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| posted by Musical Freak, Thu 13.03.200823:54:15 PM Readers say:  (Good post )
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If that is the standard you guys set, then you guys have a seriously long way to go. I cant believe there wasnt an orchestra!! Not to mention the music was bad. The acting was bad. The characterisation was bad. The set was bad. Actually, it looked cheap. The costumes were made some kind of grade. The story was flat. The pricing of the ticket was bad. Giving people the wrong impression of what a good musical should be is bad. Well at least some of the singing didnt come off too bad. Agree with last 3 postings.
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| posted by voice up loud!, Fri 14.03.200801:19:36 AM |
| when i read fellow thespian's comment, thanks to remind me the PGL, yes, PGL was enjoyable from the top to toe, including their costumes, dancing, probes, but the most important part for a musical- singing, sorry, frankly speaking, it was not up to the standard yet, were they singing musical or pop music??? i was not touched at all with the songs and music, only the main cast duet in the begining (perhaps), a bit impression... Musical singing is definitely not singing in a pop music concert, please. so, PGL, it is exciting, and enjoyable, but not touching.
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| posted by musicalonstage fans, Fri 14.03.200810:00:18 AM Readers say: (Good post )
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| 我知道你们做得很认真.... 但是时候检讨检讨一下了。
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| posted by Fellow Thespian again...., Fri 14.03.200812:14:19 PM |
| Dear Voice Up Loud, Agreed, PGL does have some weaknesses. But I never said it was perfect. I just said that it was the best local musical production i have seen. They may not have chosen to get all the singing right,maybe because sadly,they wanted some star power here and there. But they got all the other elements quite right to produce a strong, entertaining and good show. Unfortunately, Jewel of Tibet, is a much much lower standard than that. Granted, the singing is better than PGL, but good singing means nothing if everything else is weak. Sorry to burst your bubble.
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| posted by someone, Fri 14.03.200816:34:26 PM |
| if not mistaken, PGL's music composer is not local...is DickLee, am i right?
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| posted by A.S.P, Fri 14.03.200816:57:46 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| yes, this musical is flat. be it the story presentation, the characters, the set design, even the so called video graphic design, and most importantly, the music itself. claimed as a million ringgit production, it didn't present as a 'million-worth' show. the set design was plain, despite looking as though it was 'breathtaking'. my sister said, it was the standard of secondary school set design. the story was badly presented. the music was so.....plain, i do not know how to describe. the best was the vocal of the princess, yet wasted for this kind of production. i thought because i was in a bad mood that day, hence i dozed off a few times during the first half. now i know, it's not my fault...haha. how can such production claimed to be a million dollar production? with such standards? where there's nothing to be remembered after the show ended? and how can some audiences be impressed with such production?? sigh....
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| posted by Moulin Rouge, Sat 15.03.200802:56:21 AM Readers say: (Good post )
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| Dear Voice out loud, Musical singing can be a rock,gospel,semi classical etc... have you watch "Rent"? "color purple"? "Jesus Christ superstar"?i can say PGL'singing not good,but their acting good,it's a musical,not just singing,even the acting gotta be strong.Acting,Singing,Dancing will be the main thing,but definitely not singing in a very classical way.
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| posted by F1GARO, Sat 15.03.200811:44:39 AM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| I watched the show on the 9th March. I agree to most of the comments above. I am going to just talk about the music. 1. All of the musical numbers presented doesn't have any clear sense of end or climax! I just don't understand why are all the perfect cadences are always not at the right place and not at the end of any of the musical number? 2. Music theory aside, if the end of all the pieces always end with a sort of "fading off" effect, when do you want the audience to applaud? Even in the fast chorus numbers, the vocals never have a clear cut end. The only "landing point" that I can feel or find in the entire musical is just the end scene. 3. Without a live orchestra is already a minus for the music. Plus the poor sound sampler, it really turn out badly. 4. The same mood are carried through out the show. There's not enough color changes. To me, the only good thing in the show is just the vocals. Many good singing here. Well done, to the cast.
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| posted by Jewel Lover, Sun 16.03.200803:08:22 AM |
| excuse me ah, mr runaway and mr f1garo ah... i am just a general public very stupid one, i dun know anything about music loh. when u use so many technical terms like "perfect cadence" ah, i really don know wat u r saying loh. can explain a bit ah? the music sounded good to me wor...
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| posted by Runaway Composer, Sun 16.03.200803:10:20 AM |
| Do you guys realize only this page you can find the real critics? No where else!!! Wondering what response we will have if other people see our comments. F1GARO - Totally agree. Too many perfect cadences. Making me wanted to leave so much before th intermission. I agree everything you said! A.S.P you were right. That was why I stayed, to support the vocalist who generally did good job, especially the Princess singing with the right musical voice. the princess dad is obviously a stunning classical vocalist, and did a good job too. voice up loud and Fellow Thespian... No one gives a damn to PGL. Jewel of tibet, this is the musical we just watched. Musical Freak : a production of 1.5 million uh? someone: Dick Lee is a good composer. The biggesr failure is the composition and arrangement. The composer apparently never studied composition at all... and doesn't know how to compose. I believe the composer studied music before and played many good piano pieces. Don't tell me the composer doesn't know how to diffrentiate good music and noise. However, the saddest thing is when you read the articles below. I almost cried. It seems like... even the people on top in this production saw these comments, they would just ignore them. Will they continue getting HUGE sponsors? and keep making lousy work and tell the public here how "great" a musical can be? We can just stop criticizing. Coz.... check out these articles below. The media, papers, 95% of the public are thinking this is a masterpiece, a good musical. If majority thinks this is good... maybe we should just shut up. http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=11,4338,0,0,1,0 http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Features/20080304172148/Article/index_html http://kakiseni.net/articles/previews/MTI4OA.html#top http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/4/soundnstage/20518677&sec=soundnstage http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/25/soundnstage/20403720&sec=soundnstage http://www.mybuddhist.net/cms/shishidongtai/bendihuodong/KL/2008-02-18/2737.html http://www.sinchew-i.com/node/12313?tid=19 http://ent.sinchew-i.com/node/5102
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| posted by Runaway Composer, Sun 16.03.200803:13:08 AM |
| Thanks jewel... for your interest. Perfect cadence is generally the FINAL chord you hear when a song is ending. .... Happy birthday to you. "TO YOU" is in perfect cadence. Imagine TO YOU those 2 chords and note is all over the parts. Other examples: The last lines of "A Whole New World" Whole-New-World is in perfect Cadence. I will explain all things you don't understand here.
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| posted by Jewel Lover, Sun 16.03.200804:11:47 AM |
| oh.... like that lah... no lah, because sometimes u guy who know music always use those saintifik terms that i dun understand lor, i really konfius sometime. but after u explain i understand liao. but i dun remember hearing it. aih.... no chance to learn music when young... envy u loh.
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| posted by tsk-tsk-tsk, Sun 16.03.200804:25:56 AM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| haha! my friends just passed me this thing to read. really interesting. i can't give any comments about Jewel of Tibet because i didn't go and see it. but the reason i didn't go and see it, IS the thing to discuss. why didn't i? because i saw Siddharta and Above Full Moon. Siddharta was OK OK lah, at least the first song can be called a song. but when i watched Above Full Moon ah, i almost vomit blood on the floor. the music was really like crap loh, i can't stress more: LIKE CRAP. i don't care how good the people behind the scenes feel lah, it's their effort, and they should feel good about their hardwork. but as an audience, i said to myself that i won't go back and watch their stuff anymore. No way. from what i read from the comments, i guess the scene backdrop changes are still as bad as before. i feel sorry for them. it's ok to feel good over your hardwork, but in the same time, NEVER forget to improve and to take people's comments seriously. i know more people praised that piece of crap than those who say bad things about it, but if u only select to listen to those praises, sorry lah, u will always give us crap in the future. wake up a bit lah! using 1.5 million ringgit to make this piece of crap is like throw a whole galaxy into a black hole. i'd rather use those money to help the poor. at least it does good to people's lives, wasting that money in making bad shows like this can only bring u closer to hell because u damaged people's ears.
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| posted by Runaway, Sun 16.03.200804:30:21 AM |
| Thank You. Very harsh, but sincere. tsk tsk tsk
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| posted by An audience, Sun 16.03.200811:09:28 AM |
| First of all, I would like to thank J.O.T. for the wonderful show you guys put up. I went last night and to be honest I was touched by the energy and effort I saw from the cast and crew especially during the curtain's call. I am not a music student nor I was trained in musical theater. However, I am proud to say that as an ordinary audience I enjoyed the show and I am sure more than 80% of the audience who went to watch did too. I know this production might not be 100% thumbs up as there are many factors contributing to it. One of which can be the lack of time rehearsing on stage or well, I can't think of others :) However, I appreciate the fact that this is a 100% Malaysian production! If I am not wrong PGL imported Dick Lee, a Singaporean right!?? Well, those of you who commented here should take some time to ponder if you have made any contribution to the arts scene in Malaysia. No matter how good your musical theory or skills are, if you never work in such production before, I think it's time you guys at least try to get into a production, then you might understand how it is like to compose songs that please the ears of every SINGLE audience. Having said that, I still think the production team should take into account all the contructive feedback from all levels and you mustn't be contented of what you achieved, be it the music, set, acting, singing, dancing, etc.. No doubt, the music composed for J.O.T. might be irritating at times, but the singing was very good.Thanks to the leads. I would say it was much better than what I heard from PGL, PRamlee, Tunku, BrokenBridges, AboveFullMoon, Rose2ILoveU. The set was rich at times but too plain sometimes. The costume design was great! We could clearly differentiate the differences between the Tang Dynasty and Tibet community. The acting was not too bad, but needed some polishing here and there. The choreography was well thought, at least many of us enjoyed watching the dancers because they managed to enjoy what they were doing. Tickets, yes, it was a bit too expensive! In a nutshell, I think this was a production worth watching because if we Malaysians don't, who would? The Singaporeans? Well, I am not trying to be an asshole here but I urge all the arts lovers to support local productions. I am sure if you are not impressed by a movie directed by a particular director, that wouldn't stop you from going to watch another movie directed by the same director right? :) Last but not least, I enjoyed what I watched last night and I wish the GOVERNMENT should give MORE support to local productions. Support local artists before you lose them!!!
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| posted by The show must go on, Sun 16.03.200811:22:36 AM |
| Overall - 7/10 Singing from leads - 9/10 Singing from supporting roles - 8.5/10 Acting - 8/10 Choreography - 8/10 Dancing - 7/10 Set design - 7.5/10 Music composition - 7/10 Music arrangement - 6.5/10 Directing - 7/10 Costumes - 9/10 Characterisation - 7/10 Lighting - 6/10 Sound - 7.5/10 Multimedia - 8/10 Entertaining value - 8/10
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| posted by Anak Inti, Sun 16.03.200811:27:52 AM |
| I wonder which Secondary School has the set you watched in Jewel of Tibet The Musical? Let me know at least I can go and watch hehehe.....
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| posted by Runaway, Sun 16.03.200812:32:33 PM |
| An audience: Very moderate comments. Agreed some of your points, most of your points i suppose. I personally support local works a lot. Indie films, local productions. and I am proud of our achievement in certain areas. An significant one is the sponsors of 1.5 million. It is big, so do it seriously and smartly. You can't hire a highschool theater director to handle an 1.5 million project. Same here, you can't get an 1.5 million project and don't produce a good work. In here, I've just been talking about the music. Music is the biggest element of a musical. Don't you think so? I went to Tunku. In terms of music, that was really bad too, but still, better than JOL. I listened to PGL soundtrack, music wasn't bad, the singing during the PGL performance is another story. the JOL music never won the critical acclaim the composer sought. Sorry if anyone feel this is personal attack. The problems are 10 years 3 big musicals, and NO improvement. I stay closely with local production. This is something very bad for the people here in terms of telling what good music should be. The show must go on - Sorry that my comments didnt praise the good things about the musical. Costume Excellent, Backdrop and probs up to the standard it should be, choreography and dances are great, singing in general fabulous especially the princess, Multimedia is thoughtful thou, lighting - not that I paid lots of attention. If singing from the princess is 9/10 this is my rating, and i think it is fair rate. Overall - 6.5/10 Singing from princess and her dad - 9/10 Singing from other leads - 7.5/10 Singing from supporting roles - 6.5/10 Acting - 7/10 Choreography - 8/10 Dancing - 8/10 Set design - 8/10 Music composition - 5/10 Music arrangement - 4/10 Directing - 7/10 Costumes - 9/10 Characterisation - 7/10 Lighting - 8/10 Sound - 6/10 Multimedia - 8/10 Entertaining value - 7/10 The directing has big problems too, but i am not the best person to do the critics. The composer, take the comments seriously, go study harmony and improve your computer sequencing skills, listen to a lot of music especially music for theaters and films, get ready for your next projects. If you prepare yourself seriously then you will deserve a chance the audience going to your show again. do your next musical only if you are ready to write different style and not relying singers to bring out the emotion. Again, to remind you, the vocalists especially the princess saved your music. Without her, the whole musical is nothing. I'm proud that local musicals have gone this far and such a big recognition from the public. I never thought that you guys should stay away from the industry. You guys should be the one still doing production. You all have 10 years of experience. Sometimes hard work is not the ONLY thing you should have in your mind. Capability, the knowledge, or simply... are you ready to do something good for people? Or, you do because you get the chance? You may not need to make response here, but you have to answer to yourself. If you are not ready, go get yourself improved! OK I am done talking here, wasting so much time and I am not sure if the production people give a damn. Any further talk, email here mezzofky@hotmail.com People from the production. If i said anything wrong and you feel i am attacking you guys i am sincerely sorry. But i am responsible with all my comments here. Else, i will only reply when I visit here again.
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| posted by TRUE MUSIC, Sun 16.03.200815:48:02 PM Readers say: (Everyone's entitled to their opinion)
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| I am a great fan of JOT and their previous musicals, I am also a musician but you don't need to know who I am and works that I have done.I am not bothered by other elements in JOT but the reason I went to all their musicals simply because I think the music is really great,inspiring, capturing the mood of every scenes, character and unique in itself, something I can't find in Dick Lee and whoever writing with Perferct cadences at the right palce or not. Siddhartha had won high acclaims even in Southn Africa, I heard they played 15 shows and many people went to watch and they were so touch by the music they wrote very positive comments.Please don't think these people are music idiots as well.If you cannot enjoy the music,don't disect it using technical terms and your musical theory.What we studied in music theory will only limit us and make all our music sounds the same,Like Dick Lee's and almost all of the pop songs and arragements you can hear from the radio,you can't tell which is which and you can cross over to the another chorus just like that! I watced Phantom, Les Mes and PGL and etc and ect...I fell asleeep in many too,so,how now?People sholud believe me or you? Will it all depends on whether you are more famous or I am more famous, then our comments will carry more weight?I think the music in Above Full Moon is the composer's master piece!!!May be you should write one version for the same script and see what turns out.It's always easy to say a lot from the outside, but we better see if we can do it or not ourself.Anyway, I always think Kakiseni has something personal against some other groups.Its time for some other group to surface in our Malaysian musical scene.Thumbs up to JOT!!
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| posted by Kenneth Chua, Sun 16.03.200816:27:37 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| You see, if we keep on "good" "wonderful" "fantastic" on whatever LOCAL people do ah, there won't be any improvements. When people give u comments, don't always take it badly like he killed your whole family. You have to think deeper and ponder those comments repeatedly, only then our arts and culture can improve. If u just disguise as someone else and come up to deny everything, u won't go anywhere too far, even if you brought your show to the moon, professional eyes and ears will tell what quality you have right away. And don't say that pro musicians' views are trash because if you don't get criticesed by pros, how can you keep kicking yourself behind and tell yourself to keep upgrading? OK OK, if you're still taking things personally, let's see it this way: 1) General public's praise is an encouragement of your hard work, 2) professional criticisms are constructive voices that wants you to be better.
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| posted by F1GARO, Sun 16.03.200817:34:21 PM |
| To TRUE MUSIC, Hey pal. Look, I am just here to give my opinion/comment. And my intention is to help and to support. I do appreciate all the efforts for putting up a huge production like this. And I understand how challenging it is to put up a big show like this. That's why I hope my comments can, in way or another, help to improve. If you just going to take this as a personal attack, well, what else can I say? Too bad that you fall a sleep in some of the great broadway musicals. I didn't feel bored in JOT anyway. And, by the way, I am not from kakiseni.
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| posted by Runaway, Sun 16.03.200818:21:14 PM |
| True music. if you are really a musician. You are really deaf. I doubt you are not, SERIOUS! Coz if you are a musician, you will have no problem telling people what is wrong with the harmony and the wrong placement of perfect cadences. OK, listen, True music, The comments are to make Ms HO's production better! As simple as that! So that they don't make bad music to the audience here, with emphasis of 1.5 million. People here have very low music awareness like they are a piece of white paper, what you draw on them is always right. Yes, F1Garo is right... HOW CAN you fall a sleep in some of the great broadway musicals. If you are musical lover, those are the musical in her DVD rack. Please continue in followING your own dream. You can just ignore our comments. sorry for your time. Tell me if i am wrong - Ms HO's targeted audience are those who just watch your musicals, people who don't know much about music, people who tells JOL used real orchestra behind the stage. I strongly believe the group who has high music awareness, the group who listens to good music is getting bigger and bigger in our society. So, we'll see. I am not kakiseni staff too, and I was very surprised WHY kakiseni would promote JOL. Time will tell who is right. MEZZOFKY@HOTMAIL.COM
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| posted by anak seni, Sun 16.03.200819:39:17 PM |
| to runaway composer and the show must go on. you guys are over-rating this show mannnnnnnn. i would give everything below 5. singing - 7 effort - 9 you guys are very nice people obviously
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| posted by Pirate King, Mon 17.03.200800:48:26 AM |
| anak seni: dude, read carefully lah, runaway composer hates the show, while the-show-must-go-on loves the show. oi, quite different nie...
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| posted by The show must go on, Mon 17.03.200802:08:55 AM |
| Pirate King, Runaway didn't really hate the show but he only commented on the music la.. whereas for me, I don't really love the show but I appreciate the effort! Our ratings are very similar in some ways...
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| posted by Pirate King, Mon 17.03.200808:34:44 AM |
| the show must go on: hehe, maybe you're right. but from what i read from his writing, i don't think he will be as generous as you if he gives a rating to all the categories. oh well... maybe you're more encouraging, and runaway is like a strict teacher who cares. it's ok, both are constructive.
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| posted by MUSIC, Mon 17.03.200809:01:17 AM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| SIGH..i totally agreed with Kenneth Chua,people gives comment to make things improved,why can't we -The Malaysians makes better music instead of shit?! Why can't we just stay calm and listen of what people comments and make our things better in a smart way? I always support Malaysian production,I can see some Malaysians production does the efford..BUT!! without good knowledge.
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| posted by someone, Mon 17.03.200809:26:43 AM Readers say: (Good post )
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| kakiseni did not promote the show, they just support performing arts and help create awareness to mass public, hopefully more people will go to theatre often also learn how to appreciate performing arts, that’s the “future” fellow… I can see this show is successful, because lots of you commented no matter good or bad. I think we should give them some times, 10 yrs, not enough for a student to complete its studies yet, right? To me, Yes, I agree, to some point the music is not touching enough maybe because of “noisy(some of you said it)” and I can see that the composer is totally diff from what we normally hear, she is not the commercial type, and I think that’s why her music is not as good as someone or up to someone’s expectation. Maybe I’m not qualified to comment here….and also, I’m not from Kakiseni.
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| posted by Kenneth, Mon 17.03.200810:55:43 AM |
| anyone dare to ask siti norhaliza's comment? my client knows her. should i do that?
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| posted by someone, Mon 17.03.200811:31:57 AM |
| go ahead!
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| posted by Kenneth Chua, Mon 17.03.200813:47:10 PM |
| OK, just to differentiate: I'm Kenneth Chua, I'm not the Kenneth above. Haha! To avoid future confusion. someone: non-commercial music doesn't mean bad music. a good composer could be a commercial composer, or he might be an avant-garde composer. but when you hear it, you will sense what is good and what is bad.
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| posted by OC_NY, Mon 17.03.200814:37:59 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| Was going to comment earlier, but was too busy with my schedule. I studied in NYU and I can say I have some experience with musicals. So here is my “opinion” and I am NOT a staff or of any way affiliated with kakiseni.com. I agree with most of these posts, it did not appear to be a 1.5M ringgit production. The script was too bland, the music was too flat, the stage design was average at best, the performance was mixed and overall it was just an average musical. There were moments that JoT looked like it could be a top notch musical production, but then there were moments that I almost fell asleep. The story of Wen Cheng’s journey that was supposed to take 3 years, look as if only a few months have passed. Some of the time, the performers were either just walking around, or just standing there looking like a piece of log. The music was probably the worst of all. There were parts of the music that somewhat reminds me of a previous musical, Above Full Moon. Most of the time, the songs were just boring and too loud. Some of the performers appear to be performing in their own music pop concert while others are just plain out yelling. I guess that is what happens when most of them are pop singers? It just wasn’t pleasant to hear, but luckily there were a few that actually performed it in a way a “Musical” was supposed to be performed. Wen Cheng was probably the most “in character” of all the performers, but then there were times that seems like she was just standing there doing nothing. Was it her or is that what the director wanted? “A” cast of the general (do not know how to say his name) protecting Wen Cheng has a very nice vocal, but his acting was very weak, no facial emotions, seems like he was just standing there most of the time singing in a concert or something. I actually saw JoT two times (got a free ticket from a friend), and on the second show, I notice that the general was performed by another person. The “B” cast did not have the vocal as of James, but was not bad, and performed his character with grace and power, the way a true general is suppose to be. While singing is very important in a musical, acting is just as important. What is a musical? Well, I can tell you that it is not a pop or classical singing concert. And it is also not a movie or a play. For the performers, it is the combination of both, great singing and great acting. For example, the General was performed by two cast… “A” cast has a great voice, but his acting was just not there. “B” cast’s singing was not bad, but had much better acting than cast “A”. Since I saw both cast in action, I prefer the “B” over “A”. Simply because the “B” cast was more in tune with his character (oh, and the fight scene was much more exciting to watch). The King of Tibet has a very powerful voice, but sometimes it seems like he was just yelling… and his acting was a little too exaggerated. His other princess had the voice of a little kid, her singing was so high pitch it made me feel very uncomfortable. I can go on with each performers, but I think you all will get sick of it. =) The stage design was alright, was not too bad, but wasn’t great either. Scene transition was too slow, too much down time with the black out. Kind of stopped the mood when you need to wait for the lights to come up. This being a 1.5mil production, they could of done better than that. Well, at least all the costume looks very nice. Props to the designer that made them. Highlights of this musical was the costume, and the great voice of a few performers, specially Wen Cheng. She sang those songs with so much emotion that it made my eyes watery a few times. Have she not done that, I would of fell asleep listening to those songs. Well, that’s all I have to say for now. Some of you may or may not agree with me, but again… this is only my opinion. Thank you.
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| posted by OC_NY, Mon 17.03.200814:56:41 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| To True Music, First off, are you a member of the JoT production? That's what it sounds like to me, correct me if I am wrong. You fell asleep watching Phantom and Les Mis, and thought that JoT was a blast? And you ask who people should believe?? I would not believe you that is for sure. If you think that people will only listen to people that are famous, then you are wrong. When I go watch musical or even a movie… I do not even care what the critics (famous people) says about the show. I always read the watchers review and then just go in and watch the show with an open mind. Above full moon is the composer’s masterpiece you say? How do you know? Are you that composer? But hey, I thought we are reviewing Jewel of Tibet here. I can tell you that I have watched over a dozen musicals from Broadway and the West End, and if JoT or even AFM was to premeire in the United States, they will not survive more than one month. And you will hear even more negative reviews that will sounds like a stab in the back.
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| posted by Runaway, Mon 17.03.200816:35:04 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| WOW OC_NY, very impressive having your thought here. The director and the composer, if you are here, I beg you to read all comments here and digest thoughtfully. Also, please read all what I wrote here, especially the last paragraph. Thank you. I am sorry that I posted a quick comment with my name Kenneth, but I am not Kenneth Chua. Sorry Mr Chua. I said I am a composer too, I know Siti Norhaliza mixed her last album at King Studio PJ. I can meet her easily and throw some simple question like "what do you think about JOT". BUT, what's the point to create so much arguement? If you don't take comments here seriously, why should you take siti's? AND, if she gives compliment, do you think that is good for you? Do you think that is real? Coz I am very sorry to say that I am not intested at all to hear music like this again in my life. Most of the people who give negative critics here are professionals, or people who know music. As I said I didn't criticize in your last 2 musicals in past simply because I respected you as Ms Ho a director and Ms Ooi a composer, and hoped to see a good one next time. It's actually not what I've ever done like now criticizing with people I don't know, coz I think what I am doing now is actually not respecting. But again, after 10 years and 3 BIG musicals, I have enough of it, and CANNOT tolerant to let you pollute the innocent public here. I appreciate your effort, I know you all put a lot of effort. But that is not enough by just paying effort, your capabilities are very important too, the result and the OUTCOME of a good show is even more important. Same thing like if you hit someone on the road, you can't tell police that your driving skill is not good enough but you've been driving for 10 years. Besides that, the director and composer both are the pioneers in this kinda genre of musical, that tell people here about our own religion. You guys sure have more experience in this industry to make a musical like this. So, I'm sincerely asking you both put together a good show in near future. The director and the composer, if you are here. I am looking forward to going to your next musical. Please don't stop doing. Again, please take our comments seriously. Why do I hope to see your next one? I think you have the responsibility to make a good one, as a return to innocent public who fully support you in this decade, as a return of your use of budhha as the main element in all your works, as a return to people who paid a lot to all your 3 musicals (which are very disappointing apparently), a return to the 1.5 M, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, tell people here... see, this is what a good musical should be, a good malaysian musical should be, that all nation should be proud of including me. The public here needs you to tell them what is good coz they trust you. I think if even me a composer say you should continue, no one here will say no. Anyone?? Sincerely,
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| posted by Ms. Saigon, Mon 17.03.200823:53:16 PM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| I agree totally to music runaway. When my fren ask me what is this musical about, mind me, I m unable to tell like I watch other movies and tell my fren. Due to the broken scene n frequent blackout n unrelated flow, the musical storyline is run by its distinctive scenes, not the story as a whole, thus make the content of the story a worst one. I really can't feel what is so great about the contribution of the princess to Tibet, rather than her voice in the musical. the musical is like a scattered puzzle, leaving a room to the puzzled audience. Yet, i don;t understand why they are still people who think this is a blown-away musical. I must say, u have not seen a good one. If u consider to have a good musical production team, try to put the setting of PGL with the singing talent of JOL and choreography of TUNKU. I have watched MAMAMIA!, CHANG & ENG, CATS, FAME, PGL in Istana, if they can utilize the technology of the theater so well, I wonder why u can't do it in JOL with 1.5 million budget. If u think it is risky and u cant go to the standard to use the international standard theater, then do your research and wait until u r prepared! We r not innocent, dont fool us with this benchmark of this musical to local scene, fellow Malaysians! PGL proves that we are very close to the international acclaimed musical. Overall, nice voice and nice costume. Poor scriptwriting and poor music and poor stage setting, like I am playing the soldiers toy when i was 7. No worth to my MYR163 ticket! Any refund or any rebate for ur up-coming musical?
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| posted by Kenneth Chua, Tue 18.03.200801:47:33 AM Readers say: (Outstanding post!)
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| Yeah, be humble a bit, it will only do you good, not for the worse. I think the problem with Malaysian art and music scene is everybody think what they do is great and they never tame down their pride to listen and learn. And some of us would always say, "ah, it's good for Malaysian standard lah!" What kind of attitude is that? If we always think like that, we will never reach international level! Just that your stage sets and props look magnificent doesn't mean you are making a great musical. If the contain is empty, if the music is bad, you're not proving anything, I'd rather watch an MV. Recently I heard my friends told me that there was this musical on Broadway called "The Pirate Queen" got pulled down after barely a month or so just because the review was so bad. And mind you, that is another work by the writers of Les Mis. If those big shots also can get pulled down within such a short time, you can imagine how cruel the world out there is! Not that we want to put you down, Ms Ho and Ms Ooi. Being criticised at home is much better than getting criticised out there because we only want you to be better before you show your work outside. If you let people outside to criticise your work, they are not just criticising you but also the whole of Malaysian standard because you represented us. do you realise that? so please please please, think think think before you defend yourselves with your glorious words!
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| posted by OC_NY, Tue 18.03.200805:58:55 AM Readers say: (Good post )
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