Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar Presents
For lost children, everywhere......
A message from Sarah Chesworth, Head of Secondary
I am thrilled to welcome you to our production of ‘Hansel and Gretel’. It’s a delight to see our students across all ages, from Form 1 to Sixth Form, coming together to bring this timeless story to life. This whole-school collaboration showcases not only their dedication but also the incredible sense of community that thrives here at KTJ. Being part of a production like this provides students with invaluable transferable skills teamwork, resilience, time management, and creativity that will serve them well beyond the stage. I wish our talented cast and crew the best of luck tonight. Enjoy the show!
A message from Paula Tombs, Director of Expressive Arts
Choosing a show to direct in my first term at this school was a complex one, as I knew it needed to be something creative, challenging and enjoyable to do. I chose Kneehigh’s ‘Hansel and Gretel’ as it offered an opportunity to collaborate with Music and Art. Our wonderful musicians and Head of Co-Curriculum Music, Mr Adel, have composed an original soundtrack, including compositions for all songs. Our brilliant Art team were tasked with making the puppets and set, ensuring they fulfilled the eccentric nature of Kneehigh’s work.
At its heart, ‘Hansel and Gretel’ is a traditional German folktale which explores family relationships and the extreme nature of famine. In this play Hansel and Gretel become heroes of their own destiny, facing the challenges that have been given to them, using their skills to find a way out and ultimately leading to a happy ending. There is a deeper message of forgiveness and survival in times of need which I think any generation can understand.
The play has offered the cast opportunities to use physical theatre, puppetry, song, huge characters and ensemble work in innovative and exciting ways. The cast have been enthusiastically throwing themselves into every element of rehearsal and developing brilliant moments throughout, allowing the rehearsal room to become collaborative and playful.
to thank each and every member of the cast and crew for giving their time, talent and enthusiasm to this project. We hope you enjoy the performance.
About Kneehigh Theatre
From the very start of its inception in the 1980's, Kneehigh has aimed to create “joyful, anarchic and innovative theatre”. Anyone who has witnessed one of its shows will know that sense of anarchy and joy present, even in the darkest of performances where there is always a high level of energy and a playful style, typified by its adaptation of Noel Coward's ‘Brief Encounter’ in 2009. Despite closing in 2021, Kneehigh Theatre’s clever re-imagination of classic’s continue to be retold and loved around the world, including here at KTJ!
Run away children
Hide in your dreams
Things in the flesh Aren’t quite what they seem!
About Hansel & Gretel
‘Hansel and Gretel’, written by The Brothers Grimm, tells the story of siblings who are abandoned by their parents in the forest during a time of famine. This is where the magic begins, with the discovery of a witches edible house and their own strength to escape.
Kneehigh’s famously playful methods allow a reimagining of this tale with use of physical theatre, song and puppetry.
The Making of Hansel & Gretel
The Cast
Zhang Chi
Dasiy Chesworth Grace Miller
Hansel
Gretel
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “The sibling loyalty is a beautiful part of the story, showing that love and resilience can overcome even the darkest challenges.”- Daisy
What do think the message is behind the play?: “Not to trust people from their first impression!” - Grace
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “When we all gather together and share our ideas to be implemented within the play.” - Reyyan
Iman Khadeeja Izmir
Olivia Lim Xiao Xia
The Witch Birdy
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show: “The opportunity to work alongside such talented actors- some of whom I never expected to collaborate with. It was a truly rewarding experience ” - Olivia
What do think the message is behind the play?: “Sometimes you have to trust that unexpected decisions will reap desirable outcomes ” - Iman
Zach
Reyyan Abdullah
Yunha Wie
The Cast
Bella McCarthy Reena Deng Yawen Adam Jameelur
Mother Father
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “I love how all the cast has worked together and how many people I have met and made friends with.” - Sisley
What do think the message is behind the play?: “We should all be grateful for what we have and who we have instead of taking it for granted.” - Bella
Sisley Lin Ninan Foo Ruo Xuan
Veronica Jiang Yan Yee Cheah Hay Lee
Rabbit
Maureen Diane
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “Hansel and Gretel has been incredible to be part of. I love how the cast works together to create fantastic ideas to enhance the show.”- Hay Lee
What do think the message is behind the play?: “In my opinion, the message is that family and unity can help overcome any hardship.” - Ruo Xuan
The Cast
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “The imaginative lines, props and music are very surprising ” - Reena
What do think the message is behind the play?: “Not to be baited and fall into a trap, staying alert in places that seem dangerous ” - Zach
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “All of us being able to work together to create something like this is truly something!” - Adam
Yeong Shin Yee Fadiyah Ma Jiayun
Ensemble
“I loved being part of the project and adding subtle reactions to the stories darker moments. Working on set was an amazing experience- I got to see the magic come together!” - Fadiyah
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “I enjoyed that when we collaborated together, it was truly amazing and even though we were stressed at times, we still had so much fun.” - Veronica
What do think the message is behind the play?: “You should never trust an old lady who lives in a sweet-covered house- who has two black crows that let out a gamut of emotions every now and then!” - Yunha
Musicians & Composers
Reyyan Abdullah
Runehida Boonsinsukh
Xin Ying Hoe
Adam Robert Jameelur
Aldhed Nag
Anzan Nadza
Sara Jean Simon
Emma Jia Shuen Tan
What have you enjoyed most about being in this show?: “I have loved being able to see the show come together so well, watching the amazing progress being made as the cast builds everything from scratch.” - Shin Yee
Behind the Scenes
Stage Crew: Alisha Hana Lambak, Amir Bin Wahid, Ava Li Jia Gan, Dhanyah Varman, Glynnis Tham Shyuen Li, Hinako Watari, Jayden Too Yew Chean, Katarina Ai-Lyn Noecker, Kiyu Jason, Maia Azmi Binti
Dzofrain Azmi, Nik Quasdina Safeera Binti Nik Md Salleh, Zheng Yu Hsieh.
Director
Musicial Director
Stage Management
Set Designer
Set and Props Creator
Puppet Creators
Costume Manager
Costume Assistant
Backstage
Lighting Design & Operation
Sound Design & Operation
Lighting & Sound Assistance
Producer
Marketing
Procurement
General Support & Leadership
Paula Tombs
Adel Sahnoun & the Cast
Adrian Nebbett
Paula Tombs
Mohd Pauzi Nor
Liz Alway, Amy Richardson & Chloe Johnson
Alice Callinicos
Sharifah Hadyne Shahabudin Syed Nafis Shahabudin
Tristan Weston
Paula Tombs
Amir Wahid & Adel Sahnoun
Mahendran Mathavan
Punitha Rajagopal
Victoria Yarlett & Cheryl Owen
Zaza Farinda Hanapi
Sarah Chesworth
kolejtuankujaafar @KTJSchool