30 songs I created for Mansur & Liu are all beautiful - M. Nasir

Music maestro Datuk M. Nasir is finally realizing a long-held dream of directing a musical theater production with "Mansur & Liu." The acclaimed artist has long harbored a desire to direct, having watched numerous local theater performances and aspiring to create his own impactful work.

"I've wanted to direct theater for a long time, but the opportunity never came," M. Nasir told Utusan Malaysia at the press conference for "Mansur & Liu" at Istana Budaya. "I've watched most of the theater performances in the country and have always wanted to do it myself. So, I've told myself, if I get the chance, I'll do it properly and make it a big impact performance. That's my hope for this production."

The idea for "Mansur & Liu" originated about six years ago when M. Nasir was tasked with reading Tun Seri Lanang's "Sulalatus Salatin," which sparked his interest in old Malay hikayat. The planned production faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with opportunities reopening, M. Nasir has fully committed himself.

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I've wanted to direct theater for a long time, but the opportunity never came. I've watched most of the theater performances in the country and have always wanted to do it myself. So, I've told myself, if I get the chance, I'll do it properly and make it a big impact performance. That's my hope for this production.

He has composed 30 new songs specifically for the musical, which will be accompanied by an orchestra under the guidance of music director Mohd Rafi Shafie, also known as Rafi Suhu. "This theater is different from those abroad because all the songs I've created are beautiful," M. Nasir said. "You could say it was completed quickly because I was very enthusiastic. Without enthusiasm, it might be difficult to finish."

The musical explores the fictional romance between a Sultan of Melaka and a princess from China. While it includes scenes of war, the core theme is love, reflected in the romantic songs. M. Nasir also acknowledged the difficulty in finding performers who can balance acting and singing skills, a necessity for musical theater, noting that this combined talent was historically present in traditional Malay performances like Bangsawan and Mak Yong.

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This theater is different from those abroad because all the songs I've created are beautiful. You could say it was completed quickly because I was very enthusiastic. Without enthusiasm, it might be difficult to finish.