By Sin Eu
For the first time ever, the universities of Newcastle, Northumbria and Durham collaborated to bring a magnificent event to the Malaysian student community in the North East. The North East Malaysian Night has been a stellar achievement by the universities students of the North-East region. Not only have we endured a great time planning and executing the amazing project, we have forged a lasting, concerted relationship among the universities and Malaysians here.
The event is a combination of introducing a contemporary-themed play and a sumptuous food fair. The main aim is to introduce the enriched value, culture and customs of Malaysia as well as providing a platform for Malaysian students in this region to reminiscent what they have been missing since leaving Malaysia to study in the UK.
The Play
A theme of love, friendship and sacrifice, Adnan Rahim brought us a play that explores the flip side of the Malaysian society that was less chronicled in most Malaysian plays. The show of true grit, survival and dilemma-laden milieu of three underworld characters, Jet Kee, Vicky and Jallelah embarked on a journey that will forever change their life.
It was a portrayal of the stratified society which Malaysians can recognise and relate to. One can empathise with the characters in the show and applying the values and morals learned in one’s life. Not only have it showed the au courant environment that we Malaysians live in, it has given a food-for-thought element that made us reflect upon the situation that we are exposed to.
The Pasar Malam
Malaysia is deemed as ‘Truly Asia’ for a lot of reasons. One of them, the most important one actually in my opinion, is the food. A thing that is much appreciated and more so when you are studying in the UK, the ‘Pasar Malam’ provides the North-East England region students a nostalgic feel of the food that has been largely missed. Ranging from nasi lemak, rendang chicken, chendol, milo drinks (trust me, it’s not a big thing in the UK), roti canai to the more modern fascination of bubble milk tea, the audience is spoiled with variety of food available.
Art and Dance Performance
Jeffri and the Jammers brought us a truly memorable and empowering performance in R’n’B, Pop and Soul style; an awesome variety of songs that Malaysians can truly connect with.
Next up, we have the power couple of Rebecca Khoo and Machi Yu who brought us a string of Latin dances. Their display of a strong, solid yet flexible performance kept the crowd asking for more.
The Orchid Chinese Dancing Group meanwhile brought us Chinese traditional dance that can be seen during Chinese cultural shows in Malaysia (and other parts of the world). It is a classy performance that is much appreciated which reminds us of the multi-cultural aspects of the Malaysian community.
Last but not least, we have the North-East Malaysian Dance Crew bringing us a set of modern dances that is being endorsed by the youths of today. Bringing the energy and entertainment that gave the night a strong climax, the dances are greatly pacey and enthralling. The contemporary dances kept the audience truly entertained to the end.
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