| Ishan Ibrahim & Fizah HAB |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei has rescheduled its charity musical Looking Through The Autism Wonderland to September 22.
This was announced by SMARTER Brunei President and CEO Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman at a press conference held alongside rehearsals for the event yesterday at SMARTER Edge Centre in Kampong Mata-Mata.
According to Malai Haji Abdullah, members of the public who bought tickets for the show for its original September 23 date can attend the September 22 showing at 7pm at the Main Conference Hall of the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Berakas.
The musical is held in collaboration with undergraduate students of Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD’s) Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah (PAPRSB) Institute of Health Sciences and directed by a drama lecturer from the university.
It will showcase the talents of individuals with autism (IWAs) in singing, dancing and acting.
It will see the involvement and participation of not only the IWAs, but also their siblings and family members, SMARTER Brunei staff, as well as volunteers.
To date, SMARTER Brunei has staged four charity musicals featuring IWAs.
The first was Oddy’s Quest in 2011, Brunei’s very first ever autism musical.
Encouraged by the overwhelming public response and support for the event, the association staged its second musical Oddy’s Quest II: A Journey In Search of A Home in 2012.
This was followed by a performance called Theatre Fashion Style held at the 2nd ASEAN Autism Network Congress in 2013, which included performances by several international autism organisations.
The most recent SMARTER Brunei musical was IWA The Duckling in 2014. The performance told the story of a duck who was distinct from the others and celebrated his differences.
This year’s Looking Through The Autism Wonderland musical, which is an adaptation of the 1951 Disney classic Alice in Wonderland, will see the involvement of over 100 students from SMARTER Brunei.
“Fundraising events such as a donation drive and a garage sale will also be held before the musical to raise funds,” Malai Haji Abdullah added.