Revenge of the Bat - Die Fledermaus

By Sharen Kaur

The new production of Revenge of the Bat (Die Fledermaus) was a winning match for Co-Opera’s unique, vivacious and irreverent style. I was awed by the amazing performance of the stage members and the orchestra. Sung and spoken in English, the production is staged in the glamorous high society of the 1920, with settings of a typical Australian home.

Dorsett Grand Subang, managed by Dorsett Hospitality International, together with Showtime Asia as the co-producer, presented the gala charity musical comedy at the Grand Selangor Ballroom here recently.

The two-hour plus show was amazing. With a set dressed only in a few pieces of furniture and simple costumes, audience were captivated with the humorous performances. Both the orchestra and the cast excelled in these regards.

To recap the production, the prologue of the musical tells the story of Dr Falke, in pursuing his revenge, plays on the weaknesses of his friends, Gabriel Eisenstein for a “good time”, Rosalinde for a flash new dress, Adele for fame and fortune.

                                

Gabriel Eisenstein is supposed to go to prison for punching a policeman but is persuaded instead to go to Prince Orlovsky’s party disguised as a French nobleman. His wife Rosalinde is enticed to the same Ball with the lure of a new exotic dress and the intrigue of masquerading as a Hungarian Countess. Rosalinde recognises her husband but he falls in love not knowing it’s with his own wife.

Their maid, Adele, also arrives at the Ball pretending to be a famous actress, dressed impressively in one of Rosalinde’s gowns.

Mayhem ensues. The various masks are eventually removed and reality hits home.....but not before the effects of too much champagne lulls everyone into dreamy reminiscences, delivered through Strauss’ ingenious chorus writing, some of the loveliest in all music for the theatre. Even Rosalinde softens her contempt for her philandering husband as they find a new affection for each other.

Finally the ex-patriot Russian Prince Orlovsky’s motto prevails..."Chacun a son gout"... [each to his own]...and Adele is rescued from servitude with the promise of becoming a “truly famous actress”, whilst Champagne is blamed for all misfortunes.

This is the first time the musical was staged in Malaysia, with its 11 cast members and 9 members creative team.

Since its first premiere in 1874, Die Fledermaus has received global theatrical ‘full-house’ respond whenever the musical is staged.

The Musical Comedy is directed by Frank Ford AM, a writer, director & dramatist.  Having written and directed opera, music theatre, cabaret, experimental theatre, modern and classic drama and multi-media productions, his works have been performed in Australia and overseas & received the inaugural Premier’s “Lifetime Achievement” Ruby Award for the performing Arts.

Brian Chatterton OAM as the musical director of “Die Fledermaus, has been the Musical Director of Co-Opera since its inception in 1990. He was Director of Elder Conservatorium and Dean of Performing Arts at the University of Adelaide. Chatterton has led Co-Opera in over 30 performances in SE Asia and/or Europe.

Datin Jasmine Abdullah Heng, the Vice Chairman of Dorsett Hospitality International (DHI) and the Board of Director of the Kiwanis Club of Bukit Kiara, said, DHI's objective to collaborate with Show Time Asia to bring the musical comedy here is to support the performing art for the cultural enrichment of the communities.

It is also to raise funds for the Kiwanis Club of Bukit Kiara, she said.

Tickets for the show were priced at RM110, RM220, RM330 and RM440 each and more than 300 people attended the evening.

-ENDS-

Chappati.com ready to cook up a storm in Malaysia

Published in Business Times, NST on April 3, 2013


For Restaurant Chappati.com, which is based in Petaling Jaya, the concept of serving authentic Indian cuisine, and Western-Indian flavoured dishes, has brought it huge success.

NORTHERN Indian-inspired fusion restaurants are mushrooming in every major city in the country today.

With fancy cross-culture decors and innovative menus, these restaurants are bringing modern twists to Indian cuisine, in a bid to attract increased clientele from all walks of life.

This contemporary Northern Indian restaurant is owned by The Restaurant Chappatidotcom Group - recently founded by four entreprenuers namely Sunil Sachdev, Updesh Gill and her sons, Harry and Sanjit Sidhu.

Combined, the founders have almost 40 years of experience in the food and beverage, and entertainment industries - Sunil through Classic Floral Services and Updesh via Hasheel Sidhu Services.

A substantial amount has been invested in the outlet and they are expecting to break even on its initial investment within its first year of operation, says Updesh.

Restaurant Chappati.com combines a modern decor with Indian flavours. 

The interior design is drawn from a mix of cultures, dressed in hues of colours.

Updesh said the key highlights of the restaurant includes tandoori items, Indian curries and bread, kebabs, pizzas and pastas.

"We have more than 200 items on the menu that includes a variety of cuisine from Northern Indian, fusion and Western favourites, as well as local delights. 

"The idea is to offer food for just about anybody," Updesh told Business Times in an interview recently.

Updesh said the challenge in Northern Indian cuisine is making people understand that the food is not all about being greasy and spicy, but is healthy to an extent because of the variety of spices used.

Sunil, meanwhile, believes the key to a successful restaurant is its service, speed, quality and consistency of the food, and cleanliness. The group will continue to invest to ensure that it operates under a certain standard.

"We are inspired to establish Chappati.com as a brand in the likes of AirAsia, Maybank and Nestle. 

"These are all brands that have crossed international borders to become known throughout the world," Sunil said.

Sunil added that the group is aiming to strengthen its presence in Malaysia as well as gain a foothold in several other countries.

"We plan to expand our operations abroad over the next two years. 

"We are targeting Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Indonesia (Bali) and the Middle East (Dubai) under the first phase of expansion," he said.

Sunil said the group is also planning to set up convention centres in the Klang Valley starting this year, featuring the Chappati.com brand.

Restaurant Chappati.Com - It was more than just a grand opening!

Story by Sharen Kaur

It was supposed to be an ordinary outlet opening for Restaurant Chappati.Com but what made the event more than just prestigious and memorable were the number of VIPs (very important people) who had braved the evening traffic to show their support.

                                                                      Red Carpet Nite

As soon as the clock ticked 7.30pm, there was a sudden flow of VIPs and well known industry players. They included Dato' Howard Choo - director of Brahim's Holdings Bhd; Kanesan Veluppillai - the new chief executive officer of Scomi Engineering Bhd; Datuk Viswananthan Menon - CEO of Weststar Group; Tan Sri Ravindran Menon of Subang Skypark; Dato' Mohamad Salim Fateh Din of Gapurna Group and soon to be group managing director of Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB); as well as Dato' Rahadian Mahmud - CEO of Magna Prima Bhd. There were also members of the Pahang Royalty and Badri Ibrahim from SPAD.

                           Restaurant Chappati.Com founders with members of the Pahang royalty

Among the VIPs were some 80-odd other invited guests. Their arrival was just perfect because as soon as they were seated comfortably in the cool atmosphere, Chappati.Com wasted no time to entertain them with a few dance numbers, with special performance by a Malaysian Bhangra group. Following that was the launch by the founders themselves.

                                        Founders (L-R) - Sanjit, Harry, Madam Updesh, Sunil

Soon after, all the invited guests were treated to a sumptuous spread of Northern Indian cuisine and western food, with lip smacking Indian desserts.

                                                                   The sumptuous spread

Badri (from SPAD), upon a special request, sang a number (Sway by Dean martin) much to the delight of the crowd, or his "fans", ranging from as young as 18 months to 76 years old.

                                                           Badri Ibrahim singing to Sway

But that was not the finale as what followed after dinner and his performance was a hilarious act by the MC himself. Yes!....there was Oppa Bhangra Style with the founders and their family members dancing to the tune, showcasing their respective talent. Not to forget a bit of "joget and some Hindi dance numbers!

And yes, they all managed to entertain those who stayed on until the wee hours of the morning!

Restaurant Chappati.Com is a contemporary Northern Indian restaurant that is located at Jalan Kemajuan in Section 13, Petaling Jaya. For those who know Ah Yat Abalone Forum Restaurant and Restaurant Fresh Unique Seafood 23, Restaurant Chappati.Com is located in between these two very popular restaurants that have been there for years. If you want other landmarks, the restaurant is closely located to Jaya33, Nissan showroom, Herbalife, and Wisma Celcom.

                                                 (Exterior of Restaurant Chappati.Com)

The outlet is the brainchild of four entrepreneurs - siblings namely, Harmesh @ Harry and Sanjit, and their mother Madam Updesh Quar, who are the founders of Hasheel Sidhu Services, a well established company which has been in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years.
                        
The fourth partner is Sunil Sachdev, founder of Classic Floral Services, a decoration and event management company, who is formerly also from DiGi.Com Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd.

The opening of Restaurant Chappati.Com took place on the eve of Valentine's Day  - February 13, 2013.
                                                    
As anticipated, Restaurant Chappati.Com is already the most talked about Northern Indian Restaurant in town. To those who don't know yet, the restaurant serves authentic moghul cuisine, fusion and western food!

Name:                    Restaurant Chappati.Com
Address:                No9B, Jalan Kemajuan, Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours:      Daily - 11.30am to 2.30pm; 5.30pm to 10.30pm
Contact:                 012-3968450/016 3332385   
Cards Accepted:    AMEX, VISA, MASTERCARD