Creative companies 247 Studios and The Brunei Writers combine poetry and music to bring us the beautiful gem that is ‘Sonnets and Songs’.
As a creative agency, we at AICREATIVV always advocate for creativity and celebrate talents in the industry. In support of our friends at 247 Studios and The Brunei Writers, we attended the second rendition of ‘Sonnets and Songs’ in June of 2023, a performance that surpassed all expectations. Emotions were intensified, goosebumps were raised, and some tears were shed - read all about it!
The Show
‘Sonnets and Songs’ is a captivating show that beautifully merges poetry and music. A collaborative effort between 247 Studios and The Brunei Writers, this year’s edition featured a collection of six original pieces performed by six pairs of local poets and singers. The pieces were all written around this year’s overarching theme, ‘Hope and Loss’, and covered a range of experiences, from universal themes like growing up to deeply personal narratives inspired by their past relationships. Each piece offered an intimate and vulnerable story, and coupled with the smallness of the venue and the proximity of the people, it created a sanctuary for catharsis, a safe space for the artists to open up and the audience to empathise.
To add to the immersive experience, the audience was encouraged to snap their fingers if they resonated with the stories or emotions on a personal level. The echo of snapping fingers filled the room with a sense of appreciation, empathy, and understanding that nobody is truly alone. Our brand strategist, Amal, described the essence of the experience:
”Every experience is unique in the emotions that you are going through, but on the surface, everyone is actually the same - everyone is going through the same things.”
The Inspiration
The inspiration for ‘Sonnets and Songs’ arose from the beauty that members of 247 Studios, Syahmi Batrisyia and Halim Ashari, witnessed while watching theatre performances at the Asian Youth Theatre Festival (AYTF). They discovered that, when descriptive words, metaphors, and music were used to accompany poetic monologues or dialogues, the emotions portrayed were intensified. Batrisyia not only wanted to introduce this combination of poetry and music to the theatre scene, but to also learn how to craft play scripts that are impactful and artistically captivating, in the hopes that this will bring back a classic yet refreshing genre of theatre.
Beyond their artistic aspirations, 247 Studios sought to bridge the gap between the poetry community and the music community. These two passionate groups often exist in separate spheres, unaware of each other's talents and the opportunities that exist across the border. Guided by their motto of "creating opportunities through theatre," 247 Studios set out to provide a platform for both audiences to showcase their abilities in a new and unexplored manner. ‘Sonnets and Songs’ accomplished this goal by not only showcasing the beauty of combining words and music but also by encouraging others to embrace experimentation and pursue uncharted creative avenues. As Syahmi Batrisyia explained:
“With Sonnets and Songs, I wanted to encourage people not to be afraid of experimenting: to combine things you’ve never thought to combine before, because you never know what you might create.”
The Process
The lineup for ‘Sonnets and Songs’ was truly impressive, especially since the event marked the debuts of several talents in the performance industry. It was astonishing to learn that the poets and singers were paired together after each talent auditioned solo.
247 Studios and The Brunei Writers dedicated significant effort to pairing individuals based on their vocal styles, but each pair took their own initiatives to get to know their partners better. Outside of their rehearsals and work commitments, they spent time together, sharing their stories and building genuine connections. This camaraderie and understanding shone through in their performances, adding an extra layer of authenticity and unison.
Much thought was put into not only the pairings but also the overall structure of the show. Even though the performances were the highlight of the night, the flow from performance to performance also had an effect on the way the emotions were delivered and received. Our intern, Batrisyia Ali, noticed a stark contrast between the first and second performances, yet, this actually heightened the emotional journey that she experienced, and it left a lasting impression on her.
The Experience
As a team comprised of individuals in their 20s, the performance exploring the challenges of growing up and navigating adulthood struck a chord with us. The AICREATIVV members are all experiencing different stages of life, from landing a first job to having a first child, and because we often think we have to endure hardships alone and independently, it was validating to hear about those hardships from someone else. It perfectly encapsulated the theme of hope and loss, reminding us of the unfairness of certain aspects of life. As our strategic partner, Elroy stated:
”Some things in life - like adulting - are unfair, but you still have to pull through.”
Moreover, the fact that the poems and lyrics were written in Malay added an extra layer of personal significance, it being the mother tongue for the majority of the AICREATIVV team members. Even though we tend to communicate with one another in English, emotions cut deeper when issues and struggles are conveyed in Malay.
Nevertheless, despite these hardships, it was comforting to witness the collective connection in the room, and a prevailing sense of hope grew as the performer delivered her message: despite the adversities we face, we have the strength to overcome them.
The Final Thoughts
‘Sonnets and Songs’ went above and beyond expectations for the AICREATIVV team. Every aspect, from the venue to the order of performances, demonstrated the thoughtfulness and dedication of the organisers. Farhan succinctly captured our sentiment, stating:
”Emotions, quality, production value, crowd reception, the music, the singing - everything was really well done and great.”
'Sonnets and Songs' was more than just an extraordinary performance; it served as a profound reminder that we are never alone in our struggles. It showcased the transformative power of art, where even the darkest parts of life can be rendered beautiful through shared experiences. As we continue on our respective journeys, it is comforting to know that we can find solace and support in one another's stories. As our team simply put it:
"People go through a lot of similar things. No problem is unique, so actually, we are able to help one another through different means."
AICREATIVV extends its deepest gratitude to 247 Studios, The Brunei Writers, and all the talented performers who made ‘Sonnets and Songs’ an unforgettable experience. May this remarkable show inspire others to explore new creative horizons and foster a stronger sense of unity within the artistic community.
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