FRANK McGuinness’ award-winning production, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, is back again this year from Feb 8-11 at The Actors Studio.

Three men – an Englishman, an Irishman and an American – have been hauled away into captivity at Beirut. As they anxiously await their fate in a filthy, windowless cell, the three suffer not only the physical, but the psychological effects of confinement, shedding light to the resilience of the human spirit when put under extreme circumstances.

English professor Michael (Charles Donnelly), Irish journalist Edward (Kingsley Judd) and American doctor Adam (Gavin Yap) cope by finding comfort and solace in one another while flinging jibes and provocations at one another at other times.

Desperate to break through the four walls of the claustrophobia-inducing cell, the prisoners even resort to conjuring up a make-believe world, from directing and producing films to reenacting Virginia Wade’s 1977 Wimbledon win.

In captivity: Adam (Gavin Yap, left) and his cell mate (Kingsley Judd) in Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me.

Directed by Joe Hasham, the production, based on the true story of Brian Keenan and Terry Waite who were held hostage in Lebanon during the late 1980s, opened to encouraging reviews last year, and is set to stir audiences again in this year’s re-staging.

The play will be held at The Actors Studio at Lot 10 in Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, today till Saturday at 8.30pm and on Sunday at 3pm. Meanwhile, audiences from the north can catch the show at Stage 2, PenangPAC at Level 3A, Quay 1, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, in Penang from Feb 16 till 18 at 8.30pm and on Feb 19 at 3pm.

Tickets are priced at RM48 (adults) and RM28 (students, the handicapped, TAS and UNHCR card holders). For more information, call 03-2142 2009 (The Actors Studio), 04-8991 722 (PenangPAC) or visit www.the actorsstudio.com.my.

> BE enthralled by the fluid movements of the Cloud Gate dancers, performing one of their most notable production, Songs Of The Wanderers, tomorrow at Dewan Sri Pinang, George Town, Penang, and Feb 16-18 at Istana Budaya in KL. The event is in conjunction with Malaysian percussion ensemble Hands Percussion’s upcoming 15th anniversary.

Inspired by Buddha’s journey to seek enlightenment, the 90-minute production takes audiences on a reflective journey to Bodh Gaya. There, the spiritual teacher meditated and practised self-restraint, living solely on a diet of sesame seeds and a grain of wheat each day.

In the same way, the Cloud Gate dancers will capture this eager pursuit for peace and solitude in their inspiring performance.

Established in 1973, the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan is Asia’s first contemporary dance company. The group comprises 24 dancers and each is devoted to a variety of vigorous trainings which include Qigong (an ancient form of breathing exercise), internal martial arts, modern dance, ballet and calligraphy.

Under Lin Hwai-min’s tutelage, the dance troupe has since exploded on the international arena, touring extensively at venues such as the Next Wave Festival in New York, the Sadler’s Wells Theatre, Barbican Centre in London and the Moscow Chekhov International Theatre Festival.

Lin, Cloud Gate’s founder and the production’s choreographer, is one of the world’s most celebrated choreographers, bagging top honours such as the Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Movimentos Dance Prize in Germany besides being compared to artists of the century such as legendary choreographers William Forsythe, George Balanchine and Birgit Cullberg.

The show begins at 8.30pm. Ticket prices range from RM68 to RM368 in Penang and RM68 to RM468 in KL. For bookings, call 03-4147 8600 or visit www.ticket2u.biz.

> IF it’s jazz music that gets you grooving, prepare to be blown away by Unit Asia. The all-Asian jazz band, comprising some of the region’s finest jazz musicians, will be giving an exclusive one-night-only performance today at KL Live at 8pm.

The band is a potpourri of talents, featuring outstanding Japanese musicians Isao Miyoshi (guitar), Hiroyuki Noritake (drums) and Shigeki Ippon (bass), prominent Thai saxaphone player, Koh aka Mr Saxman, and promising Malaysian pianist Tay Cher Siang.

After their first South-East Asian Tour in 2008, Unit Asia has since released a live album and a studio album each, and is back again to perform under the same tour name. This time round, the band is set to propel Asian Jazz to new heights.

Organised by the Japanese Foundation Kuala Lumpur (JFKL), the concert will be held at the KL Live Event Hall, 1st Floor, Life Centre, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail in KL.

Tickets are priced at RM150 (VIP) and RM100. To purchase online, visit www.air asiaredtix.com or call 03-8775 4666.

> WITH an exceptional line-up of classical tunes, English conductor Nicholas McGegan is sure to pull on your heartstrings this Saturday at 8.30pm, and Sunday at 3pm at the Dewan Filharmonik Petronas (DFP) in KL.

The concert Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4, will see McGegan leading the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) in classical numbers such as Beck’s La Mort d’Orphée’ Overture, Schubert’s Die Verschworenen’ Overture and Clementi’s Symphony No.4 in D.

The maestro will also be teaming up with award-winning pianist Benedetto Lupo to present the title number, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 – a poignant piece Beethoven composed despite his impending deafness.

Tickets are priced at RM40, RM70, RM110 and RM150. For bookings, call 03-2051 7007 or e-mail dfp_boxoffice@petronas.com.my.

n TO all lovebirds out there, commemorate your love this Valentine’s Day with Malaysia’s Queen of Soul, Ning Baizura, at Alexis Bistro, Great Eastern Mall, Jalan Ampang in KL.

In 1992, Ning burst into the music scene and has since taken the entertainment industry by storm with chart-toppers like Selagi Ada Cinta, Awan Yang Terpilu, and her recent single Beribu Sesalan with Jaclyn Victor and Shila, besides landing various acting roles in films and musicals.

Accompanied by her music director and pianist Aylwin Santiago, the two will be teaming up to serenade audiences with a line-up of timeless love songs.

The show begins at 9pm. Tickets are priced at RM65 (show only) and RM150 (dinner and show). For more information, call 03-4260 2288 or email info@alexis.com.my.

n GET ready for an elegant night out at Tapis Rouge, featuring cabaret-style performances by the Kit Kat Klub Show tomorrow and Saturday.

A brainchild of renowned actress and producer Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina, the Kit Kat Klub Show is a mix match of vocal, dance and comedy performances. Since its inception in the 1990s, the show has spawned the career of many Malaysian celebrities such as Sofia Jane, Linda Jasmine, Nasha Aziz and Maria Farida.

Today, audiences can expect to be treated to a line-up of fresh talents such as vocalist Aisya Hasnaa and host Dara Othman while dance choreography by Pat Ibrahim and Wadi Ridhzuwan completes the show.

The show begins at 10pm. Tapis Rouge Theatre Restaurant is located at the Encorp Strand in Kota Damansara, PJ. Cover charge is RM45 (includes a drink). For reservations, call 03-6142 2686.

n FOR those looking to unwind after a hard day at work, Hakka Republic’s exciting line-up of performances from today till Saturday might just be what you need.

At 9.30pm today, Sarawak singer Diana Liu will be taking on the theme Shanghai Jazz, combining both eastern and western musical elements. Liu will perform her rendition of classic Chinese numbers from Teresa Teng besides contemporary pop hits by Faye Wong, with a modern jazzy twist.

Meanwhile, sought-after drummer Lewis Pragasam is set to turn the beat up with the theme Malaysia Soul Revue tomorrow and on Saturday at 10pm, Motown music-lovers will be treated to classic numbers from Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Earth, Wind and Fire in a line-up of performances entitled Motown & Beyond.

Hakka Republic is located at Level 2, Menara Hap Seng in Jalan P. Ramlee, KL. For reservations, call 02-2078 8908 or visit www.hakkarepublic.com for more information.

n The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) Orchestra will be holding auditions to recruit a new batch of aspiring classically-trained musicians.

Auditionees should prepare a solo piece with or without accompaniment, two photocopies of music played and sight-reading for relevant instruments. For a complete list of audition requirements, visit www.klpac.org.

Registration closes tomorrow while the audition dates are from Feb 17-19 at KLPac, Jalan Strachan, Sentul Park in KL. To register, e-mail stanley.nicole@klpac.org.

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