Bandar Seri Begawan - Jamalul Alam Secondary School (SMJA) yesterday bagged the champions trophy in the first drama competition, with their depiction of a boy who got involved in taking drugs due to bad influence.

Held at the Language and Literature Bureau, the students who performed their drama skit entitled "Influence" which started with the boy doing exceptionally well in school, but bad influence from friends resulted in him taking drugs and other social ills.

Mohd Faisal Mohammad, 14, from SMJA said that he was happy that they won the drama competition.

"I was confident and 100 per cent confident that we were going to win. But I did feel unsure because there were other opposing teams," the Year 10 student told The Brunei Times.

He said that students from Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien (Soas) College, the first runner-up, as well as students from Perdana Wazir Secondary School who bagged the second-runner up position were tough competitors because they "had potential".

But I'm glad it's over and the best won," he beamed with pride as he held on to the trophy.

Although Soas College got first-runner up, one of their teammates, Mohd Zulhelmi Md Junaini claimed the best actor award.

"I am utterly surprised and excited that I won overall best actor award for this competition," he said.

Sharing tips of his current success, he said that winning the best actor award was no easy feat.

"I just began joining drama club this year and what I find is that if you want to be a good actor, you must be able to tap into the emotions of your character," he said.

He added: "You must appreciate your character and go deeper into their emotions. When they're bad, you have to be bad, and when they're good, you have to be good. It all depends on the character."

A life without drama would be dull and depressing, said 16-year-old Mohd Nafi Japar from Perdana Wazir Secondary School.

"I would be sad if there was no drama. I won't be able to feel what it was like how to be on stage, trying to master different emotions," he said.

After joining the drama club for a year, he said that his acting performances have improved and helped "his transition from being a timid and shy person to a more confident and approachable personality."

I see myself being part of a drama club forever," he said. Also attending the ceremony was Acting Minister of Education Pg Dato Seri Setia Dr Hj Mohammad Pg Hj Abd Rahman.

Although drama has many benefits and provides a positive impact, relevant authorities should be careful in introducing new drama activities, he said.

"Don't let it get to the point where aspects of negativity arise such as students being focusing more on doing drama than their school subjects," the acting minister added.

In this respect, he advised the Co-Curriculum Department of the Ministry of Education to make efforts to prepare materials such as books or drama scripts that contain priceless drama material.

He also said that before a drama is aired out into the public, the content of the drama should be filtered by the organisers or the schools so as to avoid controversial issues and ensure that negative aspects don't arise.

A total of six schools participated in the competition, including Masin Secondary School, Sekolah Tinggi Perempuan Raja Isteri and Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College.

Four adjudicators adjudged the drama performances based on the story's theme, acting, directing and technical aspects such as lighting and sound effects. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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