#SHOWBIZ: 'Mansur & Liu': Praised by PM, M. Nasir lets audience be the judge

KUALA LUMPUR: Composer M. Nasir is taking the praise for his directorial debut, Mansur & Liu, in stride. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim commended the musical as one of the finest stage productions Malaysia had ever seen. Nasir noted that the production's scale and quality could easily stand alongside international shows, attributing his success to the exceptional talent in the local arts scene.

Anwar emphasized that sustained government and private sector support is vital for domestic culture's growth. Reflecting on Anwar's comments, Nasir shared that the Prime Minister had provided encouragement throughout the performance. Despite the high-profile endorsement, Nasir remains humble, allowing the audience to draw their own conclusions about the show's quality.

The epic, adapted from tales in the Sulalatus Salatin (Malay Annals), chronicles the historical relationship between Sultan Mansur Shah and Princess Hang Li Po, highlighting diplomacy and wisdom in an era of empires. M. Nasir, who composed a 30-song original score, spent extensive time crafting the script and selecting a talented ensemble cast.

Following the show's 11-day run at Istana Budaya, Nasir is keeping his options open for future projects, including potential stage reruns or a film adaptation if a suitable proposal arises.