Family Betrayal And Empire Take Centre Stage In ‘Canadian Rajah’ Play This Week

By Lara Kramer  •  21 Oct 2024 in Events

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

Step into a world where history is stranger than fiction with Canadian Rajah, a compelling new play by acclaimed playwright Dave Carley, brought to life by Masakini Theatre Company.

From 24 to 27 October, the Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC) will host this electrifying tale, uncovering the forgotten legacy of Esca Brooke Daykin, the exiled first-born son of Sarawak’s second Rajah, Charles Brooke.

Set in 1925 England, Canadian Rajah imagines a charged confrontation between Esca and his stepmother, the formidable Ranee Margaret.

What unfolds is a sharp, darkly humorous exchange filled with wit, venom, and a power dynamic that’s impossible to ignore. It’s a gripping look at how family politics and colonial ambition collide, leaving Esca stranded in a history that nearly erased him.

If you’re not acquainted with Esca Brooke, it is known that he had embarked on a lifelong endeavour to reclaim his heritage, often facing profound rejection from his birth family, as it was believed that only an Englishman could ascend to the title of Rajah.

As he aged, Esca became increasingly consumed by his quest for identity. The need for recognition of his lineage became an obsession, leading him to write to politicians in England and even appeal to the King, but his pleas went unanswered. He had effectively been erased from the annals of history.

Esca died in 1953 at the age of 85 without ever resolving his connection to the Brooke legacy.

In this play, the narrative culminates in a fictional encounter with Ranee Margaret in London, where Esca makes one final bid to assert his lineage. This meeting unveils a complex and vengeful woman, shaped by her time.

The question is, will she concede to his request? Will Esca return to Canada feeling triumphant and at peace with his identity? In Canadian Rajah, playwright Dave Carley employs dramatic license to illuminate the poignant tale of a man haunted by this estrangement.

Starring two of Malaysia’s finest actors, Sarah Shahrum and Malik Taufiq, with supporting performances from rising talents Israr Khalid and TV’s newest sensation, Amalina Arham, Canadian Rajah promises a powerhouse of performances.

The production boasts an impressive creative team, with lighting by theatre veteran Normah Nordin AMN, scenography by Sivarajah Natarajan, and costumes designed by the multi-award-winning Melinda Looi.

Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of sharp dialogue, or simply curious about untold stories, Canadian Rajah offers an evening of drama that’ll leave you talking long after the curtain falls.

Tickets are priced at RM105, with an exclusive Sunday matinee at RM80 on 27 October.

Showtimes:
– 24-27 October 2024 at 8:00 p.m.
– Matinee on Sunday, 27 October at 3:00 p.m.

Venue: Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC)

This is history as you’ve never seen it—raw, untamed, and very much alive. Get your tickets now at CloudJoi.com!