Ready For Kick-Off: Ola Bola The Musical

Enfiniti takes on Malaysian director Chiu Keng Guan’s infamous film by bringing it to Istana Budaya this month

- Daphne Ng

The stage is set. The lack of curtains gives me a clear view of the forty odd cast members all decked out in Ola Bola jerseys. I’m dubious about the idea of singing footballers, but I settle into my seat for the first act rehearsal.

Talk about screen-to-stage projects and throw in a musical for measure. It’s no mean feat – working on a different space, medium, without the luxury of cameras to pan up close, musical theatre is as raw as it gets—there are no second takes or do-overs. Based on true events and the film Ola Bola by director Chiu Keng Guan, Ola Bola The Musical is a fictional story set in 1980s, loosely based on Malaysia’s national football team Harimau Malaya and their hard-earned inspirational journey to the Moscow 1980 Olympics.

Having starred in and produced the nation’s infamous sold-out musicals like Puteri Gunung Ledang and P. Ramlee The Musical, Tiara Jacquelina made the decision to make her musical directorial debut with Ola Bola The Musical. “A multi-cultural story is one I love to do. It’s not so much about the football, but more of the heart in the story. For the past 20 years, we haven’t gotten a story as beautiful as Ola Bola. I can’t not do this story. If I don’t, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” You don’t need to be a massive follower of football or Ola Bola to enjoy the musical. I find myself chortling at a cleverly staged kopitiam scene when an antagonist subtly broke the fourth wall.