13/03/2010 - Bnight In Borneo Bulletin!!

Brunei students perform in UK

By Adi Asmawi Adanan in London

Brunei Night 2010 poster.

Guest of honour at the event. - PHOTOS: ADI ASMAWI ADANAN First time directors - Yazid Yakub and Haadi Amdani.

One of the scenes from the play.

Lucky draw presentation by the Director of Studies.

Last weekend, Bruneian students from all over the UK were seen flocking to the Sherfield building of Imperial College London to witness a play by Bruneian students based in London entitled 'Kasih Ibu' or in English 'Mother's Love'.

The event was organised by ICUBS (Imperial College Union Bruneian Society) in collaboration with the BSUnion (Brunei Students' Union). It was also supported by Imperial College Union, Brunei Students Unit, Brunei Shell and Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The guest of honour was Pg Dato Paduka Hj Maidin bin Pg Hj Hashim, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Also present was Abdullah bin Hj Ahad, the Director of Studies of the Brunei Students Unit in the UK.

The play portrayed a teenager, Daniel (played by Azeem Putra Abdul Wahab), who dreamed of studying abroad and hoped to someday help his widowed mother Zaitun (played by Siti Nur'arifah Suhaimi) run the family business.

It became a reality when he received a letter from his dream college, granting him a place in the prestigious Imperial College London. Daniel left his home country, Brunei, to study in the UK. Little did he know of the trials and tribulations that awaited him in the big world. It was a world of lies, deception, seduction and ultimately, betrayal.

The story entailed a driven, innocent young man who left his mother with promises of a better future, only to be met with social dilemmas and boundless struggles of university life. Ultimately led him to the greatest question of his life, where his heart truly really lies. In his endeavours, he met Nisa (played by Dk Nur Nadiaty bte Pg Luba), and she totally changed his life.

Other performances in the play included traditional dances, urban dances, singing performances and a special guest performance by BruSoton (Brunei Student Society in Southampton).

To further enliven the event, a lucky draw presentation was held. Prizes included gift vouchers from Marks & Spencer, Top Shop, Selfridges and the grand prize was a 8gb iPod Touch.

The play was directed by Yazid Yakub and Haadi Amdani, who never had any experience before.

That was their first time directing a play. They were proud of themselves after all the hard work and preparation.

It took them roughly three months to get everything sorted out, which included auditions for casts, choreographing dance moves and preparing the costumes. They hoped everyone who attended the event enjoyed the play as much as they did.