#SHOWBIZ: 'Mansur & Liu': Praised by PM, M. Nasir lets audience be the judge

KUALA LUMPUR: Music legend Datuk M. Nasir is taking it all in his stride after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim showered his directorial debut, Mansur & Liu, with glowing praise.

Speaking after a recent performance at Istana Budaya, Anwar hailed the grand musical as one of the finest stage productions he had ever seen in Malaysia.

He noted that its scale and quality could easily stand alongside international shows, proving the exceptional talent of the local arts scene.

Anwar added that for domestic culture to keep thriving, sustained backing from both the government and private sector is crucial to provide better facilities for creative talents.

Reflecting on the Prime Minister's comments, M. Nasir shared that Anwar had offered plenty of encouragement throughout the evening.

"We had a good chat, and he pointed out many positive aspects," said the composer in a Berita Harian report today.

"He clearly understands theatre—he's been following the local scene since the 1970s, back in the days of Datuk Rahim Razali."

Despite the high-profile endorsement, M. Nasir remains humble, choosing to let theatregoers draw their own conclusions.

"We naturally aimed for the highest quality, but whether it's the best is entirely up to the audience. I'm simply grateful for the warm reception," he said. "If the demand is there, we will certainly look into restaging it."

Adapted from tales in the Sulalatus Salatin (Malay Annals), Mansur & Liu chronicles the historical relationship between the sixth Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mansur Shah, and Princess Hang Li Po (Princess Liu) of the Ming Dynasty.

Beyond a classic royal romance, the grand epic highlights an era when diplomacy trumped conflict and wisdom bridged two vast empires.

Bringing the massive production to life was no small feat. M. Nasir, who also composed the 30-song original score, spent extensive time shaping the script alongside a team of veteran playwrights.

Casting was equally demanding.

"It was a rigorous process because I needed the very best," he said.

"There is so much talent out there, and when you spot that potential, you want to give them the stage to shine." Produced by Roman Abadi in collaboration with Icon Entertainment, the show featured Singaporean singer Aliff Aziz as Sultan Mansur Shah and newcomer Melinda Dadew as Princess Liu.

They were backed by a strong ensemble cast, including Amerul Affendi, Sherry Alhadad, Hazama, Taqim Zaki, Brian Chan, Fadhli Masoot, Anas Ridzuan, Arena Wan, and Ruzana Ibrahim.

Following the close of its 11-day run at Istana Budaya last Saturday, M. Nasir is keeping his options open for the future, including potential stage reruns or a film adaptation if the right proposal comes along.