Edward Albee’s The Zoo Story hits closer to home in Marlenny Deenerwan’s Bahasa Malaysia adaptation, Peristiwa Di Zoo. Starring Ahmad Iswazir Ismail and Ridzuan Jusoh, the play illustrates what happens when two very different men meet one day at the zoo, and begin a conversation that could have very tragic consequences for them both. Marlenny gives us her take on the acclaimed play, and why she thinks Malaysians should pay attention.

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Tell us about yourself.

My name is Marlenny Deenerwan, but my friends call me Lenny. I grew up in Sabah, but spent my teen years in Kuala Lumpur studying things that I’d never heard about before moving here in 1998. I studied Creative Writing at ASWARA, and Performing Arts at University Malaya. Now, I'm 31 years old, a very loyal citizen, and totally stress-free.

Tell us about your latest effort, Peristiwa Di Zoo.

Peristiwa Di Zoo, basically, tells us the story of a man who desperately wants to start a conversation with somebody else. It’s about loneliness -- which can lead to madness. I loved the idea of combining both realistic and absurd elements together to create a play. Like in Peristiwa Di Zoo, real people with real issues meet up in a very absurd situation. I'm trying to highlight how class differences can produce human isolation in our society.

Have you seen a production of the original script?

Never, unfortunately.

Why The Zoo Story?

Well, this production is actually the final assessment for one of the actors -- Ahmad Iswazir -- and the Production Manager – Elia – as part of their Degree in Performing Arts at the Cultural Centre University of Malaya. Iswazir asked me to direct the project.

The script was chosen by Puan Roselina Khir (Iswazir's supervisor), and I completely agreed with her decision, since The Zoo Story provides a really tough and challenging role for an actor. It gives him a chance to prove his credibility on the stage. Furthermore, I think the issues are quite relevant to our society nowadays.

Why adapt it into Bahasa Malaysia?

To tell the audience that this kind of craziness is universal and forever. It doesn’t only exist in America, and it certainly didn’t only happen in 1958.

When was the last time you went to the zoo?

December 2006.

What’s your favourite zoo creature, and why?

The tiger, because I love cats!

What are your greatest hopes for the production?

That the cast and crew reach their very best level on performance night. When they look good, it makes me good too.

What are your greatest fears for the production?

That the audience exit the theatre and understand nothing.

How’s the cast?

Iswazir is young, talented, and energetic. He’s always doing something wrong, but he enjoys it! Ridzuan is an ex-colleague of mine from UM. He's an experienced, mature actor, and that’s why I asked him to help Iswazir. They built up an amazing chemistry together during rehearsals, and I believe they complete each other on stage.

Give us an inside peek at rehearsals.

Since this is a student project, sometimes you hear very academic terms, or theoretical methods being discussed. It usually ends with a “korang faham ke?” from me, followed by a “belasah ajelah” from the cast.

Peristiwa Di Zoo somewhat examines the inner savagery in human beings. Did any of your cast or crew exhibit animal characteristics?

Not just the cast and crew! In certain situations, I myself expressed my inner animal without realising it. For instance, when I get a mind-block I start roaring, and only stop when I realise people are looking at me.

How does your adaptation differ from the original?

The scene has moved from Central Park, New York, 1958, to the National Zoo of Kuala Lumpur, 2008. The big changes are only the setting of place and time. I've kept almost every single issue from the original, including the idea of “Tuhan sudah mati”, in hopes the audience can see it from our society’s point of view.

Tell us a really bad joke you heard in rehearsals.

How do performance artists turn on the light?

They open the car door.

Who is your secret superhero alter-ego, and why?

My father heavily influenced how I live my life, my mother always reminds me to be brave and honest, and my husband always stands by me. They'll always be there when no one else is, so my superhero alter-ego is like a combination of the three of them. But I adore Spiderman too.

What’s the most productive thing you could do in 60 seconds?

Talk.

What’s next for you?

Dari M ke M, a production I'm taking over from the previous director. I wrote it, and it was supposed to be directed by someone else. But, thanks to complications, it’s going to be my next work. It runs next week, 28 – 30 March, 2008, at Stor Theatre DBP. Please come!

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Yasmin Zetti Martin writes for Kakiseni.

Peristiwa Di Zoo plays at Dewan Auditorium Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia Tourism Center, 109, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur from Fri 21 – Sat 22 March, 2008 at 8.30pm. Admission is free.