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By Shikin Louis
KUCHING, July 11: A musical drama titled ‘Rentap: The Battle of Bukit Sadok’ is among the highlights during this year’s Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival (SHHF) held at Sarawak Cultural Village (SCV) from Aug 18 to 20 and Nov 3 to 4.
Sarawak Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said the musical drama depicts a legendary and fearless Iban warrior Rentap, a 19th century Iban war chief who fought gallantly against James Brooke and his men.
“The story tells a tale of fierce loyalty and sacrifices, a battle between the forces of good and evil, jealousy and revenge. It is an epic drama interlaced with romance between Rentap and his wife Sawai.
“The musical drama will feature Anding Indrawani as the lead actor for ‘Rentap’, Melissa Francis as Sawai, Nick Jansen as James Brooke, Jay Iswazir as Razlan, Arwan Umar as Orang Kaya Nanang, Shakira Stephen as Suntey, and Abdul Wahab as Dana Bayang,” he said during a press conference held at Baitulmakmur II building here today.
The musical drama will be staged on Aug 18 and 19 at the indoor theatre of SCV and livestreamed at the festival’s official website at www.sarawakharvestfestival.com.my with pay view charges at RM30 per click.
The physical entrance tickets for the SHFF 2023 are maintained at SCV entrance rates – RM95 for adult and RM60 for children.
Festivalgoers can buy the ticket online for one-day pass and three-day pass from the abovementioned website.
Apart from the musical drama, SHFF 2023 will also host the Tribal Ironman Challenge 2023 where 15 finalists have been selected to vie for the champion title by exhibiting their superhuman strength in tackling traditional-based activities, on Aug 19 and 20.
The finalists are Abdul Rahman Ali Hassan, Safiee Narawi, Shaiful Sapian, Aaron Lim, Abdul Aziz Julaihi, Great Mechel Sabinus, Mohd Iswandi, Mazlan Bonyamin, Muhd Redzuan Rosli, Richmond Mackenzie, Amin Zaini Zainudin, Aliff Abdul Rahim, Ratino Shah Fazari, Ricky Poh and Dino Alfa James.
The winner for Tribal Ironman Challenge 2023 will walk away with cash prize of RM1,500, a challenge trophy, medal and a certificate while the 1st and 2nd runner up will receive RM1,250 and RM1,000 respectively. Other finalists will also receive consolation prizes of RM500.
There are also various workshops and activities held throughout the festival.
For the second part of SHFF 2023 which falls on Nov 3 and 4, there will be Santubong International Folk Dance Competition which is organised in collaboration with Federation of International Dance Festivals (FIDAF).
The competition is divided into two categories; International and Local Junior (age 12 years and below). The winner for International category will walk away with RM20,000, while the 1st and 2nd runner up will receive RM15,000 and RM12,000 respectively. Meanwhile, Best Costume and Best Music will receive RM5,000 respectively.
For Local Junior category, the winner will walk away with RM4,000, while the 1st and 2nd runner up will receive RM3,000 each respectively. Subsidiary titles consist of Best Folk Dance (RM2,000), Best New Creation (RM2,000) and Best Costumes (RM1,000).
The competition will also be livestreamed through the festival’s website at www.sarawakharvestfestival.com.my at RM30 fee.
On a separate note, Abdul Karim informed there will also be dinner and live show ticket pricing at RM250 per person for performances on Aug 18 and 19.
“Dinner starts at 7pm to 8.30pm and followed by the musical drama at 9pm to 10.30pm,” he stated.
The SHFF 2023 targets 6,000 visitors coming to SCV and 20,000 people watching through livestream during the event.
For more information and booking requirements, contact Madam Grace at 082-826108, email at scv4you@gmail.com, surf the official website at www.sarawakharvestfestival.com.my or go to the Facebook page Sarawak Harvest and Folklore Festival.
Also present during the press conference were Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (Tourism) Datuk Sebastian Ting; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (Creative Industry and Performing Arts) Datuk Snowdan Lawan; Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts (MTCP) permanent secretary Datu Sherrina Hussaini; Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) general manager Datu Abdul Hadi Abdul Kadir; Hemisphere Corporation Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Mark Ferguson; Sarawak Arts Council (SAC) chief executive officer Dayang Mariana Bolhassan; SCV general manager Jane Lian Labang; and SCV Sales and Marketing Manager-cum-festival director Zaini Zainuddin. — DayakDaily
