This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on July 22, 2016.
3 reads over the weekend
Me Before You
If you have watched the movie and loved it, you can revisit it in the written words of Jojo Moyes in Me Before You. This time around, the popular romance novelist tells the journey of self-discovery of a woman, who has barely been beyond her English village, when she takes up a job to care for a wealthy, embittered quadriplegic. First published in 2012, the book has been back on the New York Times’ bestseller list after the release of the movie. Me Before You (paperback) is available online at malaysia.kinokuniya.com for RM38.50.
The Trial
For a dose of crime fiction, get your hands on James Patterson’s The Trial. The book is about detective Lindsay Boxer and her friends in the Women’s Murder Club are caught in the eye of the storm when the vicious drug lord Kingfisher unleashes unexpected violence on the lawyers, jurors, and police involved in his case. The Trial is available online at malaysia.kinokuniya.com for RM22.27.
Magic
Fans of Danielle Steel’s works can curl up to Magic — a tale of a year in the intertwined lives of three international couples who participate in a special dinner in Paris. Screenwriter Chantal and Indian tech entrepreneur Dharam arrive as friends, but their paths will be set on dramatically different courses before the night ends. Magic is available online at malaysia.kinokuniya.com for RM86.70 and is also available in an audiobook format at RM111.52.
1 Sunday roast to try
Treat yourself to a mouth-watering menu of roasted grain-fed Goulburn Valley beef, served with honey carrots, garlic and rosemary potatoes, broccoli cauliflower agro dolce along with Yorkshire puddings for only RM48++ at The Press Room Bistro. Gather family and friends for a leisurely weekend brunch at Level 3, Connection, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. Call (03) 2148 3889 or visit www.pressroom.gastrodome.com.my for more details.
1 comedy show to watch
Come laugh out loud with Dwayne Perkins as he shares his unique way of looking at life. Perkins is a Brooklyn native who also has his very own Comedy Central Presents half-hour special. Tickets, priced at RM40 can be purchased via www.loldwayneperkins.peatix.com or reserved at the venue’s website. If you like some drinks to go with your laughs, there are exclusive bottle entrance promotions available for groups at the door. Be entertained at Live House E-G-07, Electric Boulevard, TREC, Lot 434, Jalan Tun Razak, Kelab Golf di Raja Selangor, Kuala Lumpur. The show begins today and will run throughout the weekend. Visit www.livehouse.my or call (012) 223 1937 for more information.
1 dance production to enjoy
Watch a Nyoba Kan production that is based on William Shakespeare’s Richard III, with a Butoh injection and interpretation. The Plots of a Tyrant is the second programme of the Nyoba Kan Butoh Festival 2016. Tickets can be purchased via www.ticketpro.com.my and are priced at RM45 or RM35 (students, disabled, senior citizens, The Actors Studio card members) with a buy-one-free-one group booking deal. Showtime is 8.30pm today and tomorrow. Visit www.klpac.org or call (03) 4047 9000 for more details.
2 very different films to watch
Cinta Dalam Sepotong Roti
Watch a free screening of the 1991 drama Cinta Dalam Sepotong Roti tonight. The film tells of the friendship between three childhood friends as they find themselves entangled in a love triangle. Mayang and Harris marry while Topi remains single and finds work as a photographer. The plot thickens when the two start having marital issues. The film also features poetry by Sapardi Djoko Damano. Make your way to LT 3.2, Level 3 Wisma HELP Jalan Dungun, Kuala Lumpur for the 8.30pm screening. Doors open at 7pm.
Star Trek Beyond
Trekkies may want to make plans for movie night this weekend — the latest Star Trek movie, Star Trek Beyond, has arrived! After the events seen in the first two movies, the third film sees a much darker turn and deeper space exploration for the USS Enterprise team. A surprise attack in outer space forces the Enterprise to crash-land on a mysterious world. Left stranded in a rugged wilderness, Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto) and the rest of the crew must now battle a deadly alien race while trying to find a way off their hostile planet. The movie will be showing at cinemas nationwide — visit www.tgv.com.my or www.gsc.com.my to book tickets.
2 theatre performances to catch
Nunsense
Nunsense tells the story of five Catholic nuns who take over a school auditorium to hold a fundraising variety show after discovering that their cook, Sister Julia, has accidentally poisoned 52 of the sisters, and they are in dire need of funds for the burials. Meet Reverend Mother Regina (Shanthini Venugopal), a former circus performer; Sister Mary Hubert (Elvira Arul), the Mistress of Novices; a streetwise nun from Brooklyn named Sister Robert Anne (Nicole-Ann Thomas); Sister Mary Leo (Teresa Goh), a novice who is a wannabe ballerina; and the delightfully wacky Sister Mary Amnesia (Junji Delfino), the nun who lost her memory when a crucifix fell on her head. The show features star turns, tap and ballet dancing, an audience quiz, and comic surprises. Tickets priced between RM44 and RM128 can be purchased on www.tix.my. Take your pick from the 8.30pm show today and tomorrow and the 3pm Sunday matinee at Ground Floor Block F @ Jaya One, 72A Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya. Visit www.pjlivearts.my or call (03) 7960 0439 for more information.
Antigone
The story unfolds as Antigone’s dead brother is decreed a traitor and his body is left unburied beyond the city walls. Refusing to accept this most severe of punishments, she defies her uncle — the new ruler of the city — and forges ahead with the funeral alone. Antigone places personal allegiance over politics and unleashes a cycle of destruction her city will never forget. Antigone is running throughout this weekend at the Indicine, KLPac, Jalan Strachan, off Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur. Tickets priced at RM45 or RMM35 (students, disabled, senior citizens, The Actors Studio card members) can be purchased on www.ticketpro.com.my. Visit www.klpac.org or call (03) 4047 9000 for more details.