Interview: Redza Minhat of DATO' SERI at Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC)

Known for his roles in Pisau Cukur, Kil and several theatre productions in the past as well his script writing prowess among other things, Redza Minhat will be starring alongside Nadia Aqilah and Na'a Murad, in Dato' Seri which is directed by Omar Ali,. The show will be playing at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) starting 10 to 13 May 2018.

Redza managed to take some time from his many responsibilities to answer a few questions in a phone interview,

Thank you for taking the time for this interview!

What or rather who would you say inspires you?

I am inspired by events not people so. I'm inspired by any events that makes me believe in humanity, in general. It can be a world event, a daily event or something I see in my daily life. I'm more inspired by things happening rather than people. Even with people, I'm inspired by things that they do rather than them. Just to elaborate further on that, I just think that you can have a role model or like a childhood hero but there's only one aspect of that you actually admire or are inspired by, it's not the whole person.

Have you always wanted to act?

Um...I don't know really. So, I've always wanted to express my thoughts, either through writing or any form of expression. I love to build. So, just to give perspective I never started as an actor, I started as an actor but I think the best part of being part of a production either films or on stage is that it makes you feel like a child. You notice as you grow up, you don't have that much opportunity to build stuff or create stuff. You go through of life, videos and the motion and all but when I look at my life, when I look at my kids and I see them playing with their toys as they draw or when they are out and about imagining things, I like that. I wanna have that. So the only outlet I have is either through acting, writing or editing. So to answer your question, simply put yes but it's not as simple as 'I wanna act' more of 'I wanna express'.

So tell me about the show?

Well, the show is, if you've studied Macbeth, but we've adapted it into a fictional Malaysian setting, it's a Malaysia that's never been colonised. We tried our best to stay true to Shakespeare's Macbeth. So I think Tan Sri, he adapted it as a homage to Shakespeare. The language is actually stylized in the rhythm of Shakespeare. What you can expect is not a contemporary play on Macbeth but Macbeth adapted into a more relevant, Malaysian context.

I believe this is the second run of the show yes? How does the experience differ? Especially seeing as you are now playing the role of Dato' DiKajang.

Every show is different. I mean, obviously the fact that the cast is different. Personally, I think now I know what the lead actor went through last time, hahaha. So the first thing that crossed my mind is in terms of the amount things to memorize, it's much more now.

If you had to describe yourself in 3 words what would they be?

Well, the other day as part of the show, I was looking over the script. There's this line in Macbeth which I kind of like 'Be bloody, be bold and resolute', so I think for now in this moment bloody, bold and resolute, that's what describes me.

I read that you are involved with several jobs from acting, writing to working at a bank. How do you manage to balance that and have time for your family and friends?

I think that what you need is a strong support system, meaning your friends who can tolerate your schedule, haha and family that can understand your needs, especially my wife and my parents. I think what you really really need is a close group of people who believe in you, people of support what you want and people who want to see you flourish. So, as long as you can actually find those people, it's not even about balancing the time, it's just the matter if you want to do it or not. I get this question a lot. The thing is people do a lot of things, you are able to accomplish a lot in a day but it's just whether or not you want to. For instance, some people probably go home and watch TV after work, I don't. I mean after work I go rehearsal because I want to, so it's really up to if you want to do it. In terms of spending time with family and friends, I guess if they are important to you, you'll make time. There's no such thing as 'I have no time'.

Are you of the opinion that life imitates art or art imitates life?

What people need to understand or define themselves is what is art to them. To me it is whatever that moves me. I mean I can find a rock, that rocks moves me, then that rock is art. So, to a certain extent life is the same. But life is not just about doing compulsory things like waking up in the morning, get stuck in traffic, do all these like you are on autopilot. I mean I'm stuck in traffic right now as we speak and I'm pretty sure that I've sat through this traffic in the same setting, weather and everything like a thousand times, this is not life. Life happens when you are affected by it. So that to me is life. In that sense, both life and art they don't really divert. So you can take it out of context and say life is like art or art is like life. I mean to me it is simple, life is what affects you and art is what affects you. You need both. They are in the same spectrum.

What's next for you? Any upcoming projects you're excited about?

Okay, well usually I'm very selective of the projects I join. So I've done one film earlier which is gonna come out in July and I just wrote a film which I'm not sure if it's going to be shot yet. After that, I'm gonna see where it goes. Probably, the next thing I'm gonna is take a break.

For aspiring performers what piece of advice you that you wish you were given?

Don't try just do.

And lastly, what makes Dato' Seri special and what can audiences look forward to when watching it?

I don't think Macbeth has ever been adapted to something like this and for those who've watched this earlier, this is a different approach by Omar. Lastly, it's very relevant, at least to Malaysia, it the current time and something that you wouldn't expect.

Thank you so much for your time, Redza. Definitely, looking forward to experiencing the show.

For tickets to Dato' Seri at KLPAC log on to: https://www.ticketpro.com.my/theatre/2281794-klpac-Dato-Seri.html