By DANIAL FUAD
At first glance, the title might make one think of a dystopian tale, recalling Margaret Atwood’s novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. However, A Hen-Made Tale is far from bleak or sad. It is a light-hearted story about a flock of hens who dream of taking a holiday. Originally written as a book by Lim Soon Heng, the story was adapted into a musical last year.
The book was a major success, with the National Library acquiring 500 copies for local distribution. This year, the story takes a new form as a musical. Adapted from the children’s book, the plot follows a simple yet charming premise: a flock of hens grows weary of working 365 days a year laying eggs while the rooster merely crows in the morning.
Led by the wise old hen Opal, the four sisters—Sapphire, Emerald, Ruby, and Pearl—devise various schemes to stop the rooster from crowing and to secure their much-desired break. At its core, this children’s story emphasizes themes of teamwork and overcoming obstacles to achieve one’s goals.
The musical is a dance-first performance, with choreography taking center stage. Led by Kenny Shim of the Kenny Shim Dance Collective (KSDC) in collaboration with Imran Syafiq from ASK Dance Company (ADC), the dance routines vividly express the story’s themes. The dancers moved energetically across the stage, capturing the audience’s imagination.
Lim Soon Heng noted, “Being a non-verbal form of expression, dance offers an opportunity to connect with a wider range of children, including those who are differently abled, neurodivergent, or have special needs.”
Each scene, from the early morning routines to the hens’ scheming and their attempts to outsmart the rooster, is brought to life through vibrant choreography. These performances are complemented by music composed by Yong Tan, which enhances the emotions conveyed by the dancers—be it nervousness, anger, or calmness.
The production incorporates a distinct Malaysian essence. This is reflected in the costumes, which feature fabrics like batik, and in the choreography, which blends traditional Malay, Indian, and Chinese dance styles. Performances included elements such as makyong and the “thousand hands” movement.
Kenny Shim remarked, “Each sister hen represents a part of our culture in Malaysia,” symbolizing the country’s major ethnic groups.
The musical is a collaborative effort between the Asia Ballet Academy (ABA), KSDC, ADC, and the https://www.instagram.com/klshakespeare/, where Lim Soon Heng is a member. Each group brings unique expertise to the production: ADC focuses on traditional Malaysian and contemporary dance, KSDC specializes in contemporary styles, and ABA contributes its ballet knowledge and experience working with children. The show also features five young dancers from ABA, adding a fresh and dynamic element to the performance.
Although Hen-Made Tale – The Dance was performed from September 25th to 29th at Nero Event Space, PJPAC, 1Utama, the story lives on in its original book form. Copies are available at various bookstores, including the Museum of Picture Books in GMBB.