News Straits Times
7 October 2007

Playwrights exchange notes
By : Dennis Chua

FROM Oct 18-21, the Instant Cafe Theatre Company, in association with Kuali Works and in cooperation with Sisters In Islam, will host a series of events at The Annexe, Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, themed A Playwrights Exchange.

The series will explore how artists and activists use the arts to question, illuminate and entertain society.

It is part of Instant Cafe Theatre's Firstworks programme. It opens at 7pm on Oct 18 with Iranian playwright Dr Naghmeh Samini, author of more than 20 plays and four screenplays, talking about the waves women are making in Iranian theatre.

Over two days, Samini will conduct writing workshops using stories from folklore, mythology and newspapers.

Samini will be joined by Indonesia's award-winning playwright Ratna Sarumpaet who has inspired generations of Indonesians with her play Marsinah Menggugat (Marsinah Accuses).
Together with Malaysian playwright and theatre performer Leow Puay Tin, they will "exchange" their work with films and slides, and discuss why and how plays are made and what difference they make.

The four-day event includes panel exchanges and a public forum with Malaysian writers, theatre-makers, activists and educators who include Adeline Ooi, Animah Kosai, Anne James, Bernice Chauly, Hari Azizan, Ivy Josiah, Joanna Bessey, Jo Kukathas, Normah Nordin, Pia Zain, Sabera Shaik, Sharon Bakar, Susan Philip, Toni Kasim, Yati Kaprawi, Zamzuriah Zahari and Zainah Anwar of Sisters In Islam.

Samini will also conduct writing workshops, while Indonesian playwright Imas Sobariah will give talks at 10pm on Oct 19 and 20.

At 8.30pm on Oct 19 and 20 and 5pm on Oct 21, there will also be a performance of Perempuan Di Titik Nol, a dramatic Indonesian re-telling of Woman At Point Zero, a novel written by Nawal El Saadawi, Egypt's most famous woman author.

She wrote the novel in 1979 after working as a medical doctor to women prisoners.

The novel, in essence a fictional interview, focuses on Firdaus, a daughter, mother and sex worker.

Perempuan Di Titik Nol was adapted for stage by Iswadi Pratama, and features Hamidah as Firdaus.

Entry is by donation of RM30 and RM15 (students). Activities begin at 10.30am from Oct 19-21.

For programme details, visit www.instantcafetheatre.com or call 03-7960-2214.