The May 9 Show by Instant Cafe Theatre

Wasn't really sure what to expect when I bought a ticket to Instant Cafe Theatre's latest production, The May 9 Show (besides them wanting to celebrate the first anniversary of the gahmen change) before they released copy of what the show was going to be like. By the time I remembered to actually get a ticket days later, they were selling briskly. But ended up in the same seat as last time, haha. I also probably could've gone earlier in the run since it started on Wednesday or something, but I rather pay the weekend flat rate parking than the weekday hourly parking. I know, I very the cheapskate. 

The long and short is that it's done in the late night talk show format with Sean Ghazi as the host/straight man, with two of Jo Kukathas's (in)famous characters, YBeeee! (yep, four "e"s) and Curry Spice (who kinda looks and sounds like 90s Mel B but acherly from Sentul one), as well as special guests (politicians, newsmakers, journalists, etc) every show. 

I got there just as the doors were open and people were making their way in. In a Malaysian theatre first, the show started around 8.35 p.m. 

Sean kicked off the show with one of their infamous song parodies (?), using Nina Simone's Feeling Good, before bringing on his first "guest", YBeeee and chatted for at least 45 minutes before bringing on the night's guest, lawyer and activist Siti Kasim. Like on the late night talk shows.

I think at least an hour went by before they called for a 20-minute intermission (and presumably time for Jo to change into Curry Spice), but not before having Tria Aziz sing another parody song using that Bodyguard song. I was kinda ready to leave when she was singing, but it might be a bit rude lah, so I didn't. 

Sean sang another song after the break before introducing the audience to Curry Spice, with aspirations to be Malaysia's next PM in GE15. Which (I felt? guessed?) took up at least 40 minutes. I don't know about the people sitting in the aisles and on the extra chairs around (Patrick Teoh was seated on such a chair behind me), but it was getting a bit long by then, so I almost kinda nodded off a few times. 

Personally, it's easier to laugh at YBeeee if you've kept up with local politics. Curry Spice is funny in small doses, but in longer form ah... 

If you can still get tickets, you should check it out. You might do better going on a weeknight...?

Random thoughts:

• I know they want to make it worth the price of admission, but the show was a tad long leh. 
• WTFBBQ - Sean Ghazi is FIFTY YEARS OLD?! 
• Because it's Ramadan, they can't get any of the (now) opposition politicians on. Or so they say...
• Where do the dugong statues go the rest of the time...?