Ismail: The Last Days

Last year, we were treated to Tunku: The Musical. KLPac’s big musical of 2008 is also based on the life of another historical personality: Tun Dr. Ismail (played by Malik Taufiq). Just in time for Merdeka, Ismail: The Last Days, as director Joe Hasham puts it, “is not a factual representation of Tun Dr. Ismail’s life. Instead, it is a factual representation of his spirit: what he stood for, what he believed in and what he hoped for this country.”

Set in between 1970 to 1973, the tale begins with Doc Ismail (as he is affectionately called) return to politics after May 13 1969. With an ailing health condition and the country’s future in question, the musical shows how Doc Ismail was torn between being the beacon of hope for his countrymen, or a devoted husband to his wife, Neno (Tisha Zarina Zainal).

Much of the material for the musical was based on Dr. Ooi Kee Beng’s biography of Tun Ismail, entitled The Reluctant Politician. Besides that, writer U-En Ng tells us that official archives and secondary sources were researched intensively to ensure that the musical was as accurate as possible, while allowing room for some creative freedom. To make sure that Malik Taufiq’s portrayal of Tun Ismail was authentic and as close to character as possible, his eldest son Mohd Tawfik was present during rehearsals.

The musical will also attempt to do something new by combining original music (composed by Dato’ Johari Salleh to really capture the spirit of the ‘70s) and writing with the poetry of the late Dato’ Usman Awang. Both Tun and Dato’ Usman hail from Johor and while they have differing political views, U-En notes that “both really stemmed from an unshakeable faith in justice and humanity”.

Boasting an ensemble cast of 24, a 22-piece orchestra and a very talented crew – Loh Kok Man and Caecor Chong as Production Designers, choreography by A. Aris Kadir and Mervyn Peters as Musical Director to name but a few – Ismail certainly looks to have all the ingredients for a grand musical. But ultimately, it serves to honour a man whose dedication and contributions to our nation have always been overshadowed in history books; after all, some have described him as the best Prime Minister Malaysia never had. Here’s your chance for a history lesson with lots of flair when the musical opens this 7 August.

Text Sarah Chan