Experiences Watching Theatre
Last Saturday, I went to watch theatre in KL Pac entitled "The Homecoming". It is a great experience watching theater because this is the first time I watch theater in my life.When I reached KL Pac, I saw that everyone was dressed up so well. I can feel that the people who watch the theater are mostly from higher class society. Once I entered the theater, I noticed that the stage is near to the audiences. The stage is not very big. Then, as the play started, I realized that lightning and background music play significant roles in the theatre. It is because it makes the play more lifely and meaningful. It is interesting to watch theatre with sound effect. Furthermore, I feel that the lightning shows the setting of the play more vividly. In my opinion, theater is special in its own way where I feel closer to the play because the play communicates directly to the audience. Meanwhile, "The Homecoming" is a serious play where there are many questions to think about after watching the theather. I am not sure what the message is in the play. After discussing the play with my friends, I notice that everyone has different views of the play. Everyone has different interpretation of the play. In addition, some enjoy watching the theater and some do not like to watch the theatre. In conclusion, watching theatre is the unforgettable moment in my life! I enjoy watching the theatre which I seldom have the chance to watch it!

The Film - Pygmalion

Last Thursday, I have watched the film- "Pygmalion". I enjoy watching the show because it helps me to comprehend the play better. Unfortunately, when I was watching the movie with my course mate, the sound effect of the movie was bad. The actors' voice are not clear at all. I think this is due to the reason that there is no speaker in the class. In this blog, I am going to comment about the film and my feelings' after watching the film. First of all, I feel that Eliza had played her role well. I enjoy watching her changes that she went through in her life. She becomes so charming when she has changed by Hinggins. Furthermore, Higgins is a good and dedicated teacher when he spends lots of time teaching Eliza how to speak.His commitment in teaching Eliza can be seen in the movie where he does not allow anybody to visit his house.Besides that, the movie is in black and white. This makes me feel the movie quite dull because there is no colour. I think the movie will be interesting if it is in colour. The characters that I like in the movie is Eliza. She is a hardworking person and she is willing to work hard to have a better living. In the movie, I can see her commitment in learning how to speak. She works very hard to change her life. Overall, the movie has clearly portray how Doolittle changes Eliza as in the play.

"My Fair Lady"

"My Fair Lady" is a film musical which won 8 academy awards, including: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Musical score, Best Cinematography, Best Set Direction, and Best Costumes. It was directed by George Cukor. Screenplay by Alan Jay Lerner - based on George Bernard Shaw's stage play "Pygmalion". It is an interesting movie that I have watched in my life. This movie was introduced by my English tuition teacher when I was in Form five. I never think that I will have a chance to read the play again. Yes, it is extremely meaningful for me to watch the film and now read the play again. It is because I have an idea about what the play is all about. Besides that, this is the first musical film that I have watched in my life. I like the way the film was introduced when the fine musical begins, by showing the audience a London scene from a Victorian England in the 1800's, a meeting place of the very rich and the very poor. The well-to-do of English society were coming out of a theatre where poor women, known as flower girls were selling bouquets of flowers to these theatre patrons. Among these patrons were two distinguished gentleman, a well-known, top notch Professor of Phonetics, Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison), and his good friend, Colonel Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White). It is because this scene has enhance me to imagine the setting of the play vividly. While was watching it, I was entertained by the movie at that time. The most memorable line for me is when Mr Higgins says ,"Why can't the English speak English?" I feel surprised over this statement that he said because all this while I have been thinking that all English can speak English well. I was surprised when he mentioned this statement. Surprisingly, when I read the play "Pygmalion", the voice of the actors came into my mind and I can imagine the whole situation of the play. After reading the play only I can understand the musical film better. Thus, the play,'Pygmalion' has enhanced my knowledge in a greater manner. Furthermore, I was impressed by Eliza's determination to learn to speak English. When I was watching the film, I can feel how hard she had tried to learn to speak English. It is really not easy to learn to speak English. She faces lots of difficulties before she can not speak English well. Moreover, I feel that the actors successfully play the roles well in the film. Last but not least, "My Fair Lady" is a good musical film that teachers should introduce to students in class. It is because students can visualise what the plot of the play better after watching the film.

"Antigone" or "Anike" ?
After writing about Creon and Tiresias in the blog previously, I would like to write about the different feelings after reading “Antigone” by Sophocles and “Anike” by Wong Phui Nam. I still remember when I first read about “Antigone”, I can roughly understand the plot of the story but I feel the language is difficult and I need to have some prior knowledge about Greek tragedy before I read this play. In contrast, I feel that reading “Anike” is not as complicated compared to “Antigone”. Even though the plots of the two plays are similar, the context of the language used shows the difference. The use of language in Antigone perhaps is difficult for me to understand once I read it. I need more time to comprehend the language used and what the language indicates. On the other hand, the language used in “Anike” is straightforward and I am familiar with the language used. I feel comfortable when I read “Anike”. I feel that I do not have to struggle much to read the play. In fact, I can comprehend the play better and even faster. Besides that, I enjoyed reading it. I also feel surprised that the author is able to put the characters in the play in local context which is much easier for me to understand. Surprisingly, after reading both the plays, I have the strange feeling that I still prefer “Antigone” the most. I realized that I like the language used in “Antigone” because it is so special and the first time I read Greek mythology. I am amazed with the language used after I am able to comprehend it. In short, I strongly feel that language used in “Antigone” is more powerful and it impressed me a lot.

Blind but Wise
There are many things for me to learn after reading through the article about Tiresias. He plays important role in Greek mythology as well as the events happening to the family of Thebes. Tiresias is blind yet one of the most famous soothsayers of his time. According to another myth, Tiresias saw two snakes mating when he was out on a walk. Tiresias took his walking stick and thrashed them badly. As a result, he was punished by God and was turned into a woman. Seven years later, he saw two snakes lying side by side, and this time he used his walking stick to make them come together. This time he is turned back into a man again. Another version of the story says that one day Tiresies was asked to judge the disagreement between Zues and Hera about the matter of either male or female experience the greatest pleasure when making love. It is because he has experienced both the man and woman. Tiresies replies that the woman experienced greater pleasure. This causes Hera anger and she blinded him. Meanwhile, Zeus gave him inner sight and extended his life with seven generations. Therefore, in the play “Antigone” Tiresias plays an important role. He tells Creon that he is bringing disaster upon Thebes, and Creon does not believe him eventually. Yet, Creon claims to trust Tiresias deeply at last. Even tough he is blind, he still advises Creon with his wisdom and ability to see the future. He was not afraid to criticize the King, Creon as he has the hope to change him. Tiresias warns Creon that the refusal to bury Polyneices will bring the curses of the Gods down on Thebes. After hearing this, Creon gets angry and accuses him as a false prophet. In my opinion, I feel that even though Tiresias is physically blind, he sees further than others. On the other hand, Creon is mentally blind who is unable to judge what is right and wrong. Thus, it clearly shows that Tiresies makes use of the wisdom which is gifted by Zues to help Creon. Furthermore, I also learn that although Tiresies is blind, he does not appear to give up things in life. In fact, he helps his country. Besides that, he is determined to live even though he lives in different condition. Thus, he is a strong character which can be a role model for us nowadays because there are many things we can learn from him.

Time will heal!
When I finished reading “Antigone” play, I sympathize towards Creon’s situation at the end of the play. I feel sad for him because he lost his family members at the end of the play. I feel that it is very hard for him to accept the lost of his family members due to his own mistake. He could hardly forgive himself for his wrong doings. This can be showed in line 1263-1265, where he says “I know not where to turn mine eyes. All my misdeeds before me rise. Lead I away, brought low, undone.” In addition, this clearly reveals that he will suffer for the rest of his life. In my opinion, I feel that Creon’s misjudgment of Antigone should not deserve such a big punishment from God. I feel that Creon’s decision of not burying Polyneices is due to his pride- common human nature. Most probably he wants to show his power towards his people so that his people will not go against him. Besides that, it is not him who killed Antigone, but Antigone hangs herself. If Antigone does not kill herself, Creon would have probably saved her and he would not go through the pain that he suffers later. Moreover, I feel that after he listens to the advice from Tiresies and the chorus, he has the intention to save Antigone. Unfortunately, it is too late when he realizes that Antigone and his son had died. It is not his fault when Antigone and his son died because he took the initiative to save her. It is Antigone and Haemon, who are very emotional that makes them to kill themselves. Thus, when Creon has to accept the death of Antigone, his son, and his wife, I feel that it is traumatizing for him to accept the fact as he is the head of the family and losing his family members one after the other would be a terrible punishment for a man to undergo. Lastly, Creon, as a king of a country would be definitely affected emotionally and mentally as losing all his family members is not a simple matter to be easily forgotten at once. Personally I do feel that it would also affect his duty of ruling the country and I believe that only time has the power to heal his pain!