Press Release

“Life…in Fast Forward”

The Actors Studio and The Ministry of Truth shall be raising the curtain to their latest original play ‘Id’ come 17th October at The Actors Studio Greenhall in Penang. This shall be the second play John Shebat de Silva has written and directed under The Actors Studio and The Ministry of Truth, after the successful staging of ‘News for You: Termination of the Teenage Population’ in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. After serving as Stage Manager and Producer under his brother – Mark Beau de Silva for some years, the 21 year old has decided to go for the ultimate challenge and assume the seat of both writer and director.

“Directing ‘Id’ has been a real roller-coaster ride”, said de Silva. “It was exciting because I had my closest friends working with me as my actors. However, having to work with your best friends also mean a bigger and tougher challenge, especially when it comes to the matter of discipline during rehearsals.” But, the team embraced these challenges and are now pumping up all the enthusiasm for opening night.

John finds ‘Id’ a piece of work that he holds very close to his heart. “I recently learned that it is important to know who your closest friends are. It is even more important to know how to keep them close.” ‘Id’ focuses heavily on the values of friendship and has based the story on what goes on in his campus. “Of course it’s not told with hundred percent accuracy. This is theatre! And what is theatre without a bit of exageration here and there?”

‘Id’ has 6 characters. All of which the audience will be able to witness the mechanics of the id, ego, and superego within them as the play progresses. “You will see what is desire and how the characters encounter them.” “But don’t be afraid. The show is not going to be some Psychology lecture with a script full of sociological jargons. The story is down to earth, simple, and easy to comprehend and relate to.”

From start to finish, ‘Id’ features innocently hillarious takes on the issues we encounter everyday – copying your friend’s homework, putting on an act so that the teacher would not punish you for handing in your book late, discussing puberty with your closest friend, accidentally discovering a ‘dirty’ video, and so much more. ‘Id’ also faintly highlights how some people take certain things too seriously.

‘Id’ shall be staged at The Actors Studio Greenhall, Light Street, Penang from the 17th to 19th of October 2008. With shows at 8.30pm from Friday to Sunday, and an additional 3.00pm show on Saturday and Sunday.

The show shall also be staged at The Actors Studio Bangsar Shopping Centre, Kuala Lumpur from the 24th to 26th of October 2008. With shows at 8.30pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is by a donation of RM15.00 for students, senior citizens and the disabled, and RM20.00 for adults.

Supported by Vistana Hotel Kuala Lumpur and NICE Executive Express.

For more information, log on to http://www.iddiaries.blogspot.com/ or contact 012-451 9304