The Wrong Geng
The Wrong Geng
THE WRONG GENG is a solo dance performance from the perspective of the jantan joget (male dancer). Here, he negotiates the social, imaginative and affective aspects of human labour within contemporary capitalism.
Historically, joget, known as ronggeng, has been recognised for its lively beats and fast-paced rhythms. It has always been a form of music and dance that encourages interaction between male and female performers, a means of expressing flirtatious intent as well as courtship. This was particularly true for the dance halls within the entertainment parks of 1930s to 1960s Singapore.
The term “wrong geng” is a play on the term ronggeng, which reflects the stigma of joget dancers as “dirty”, speculating on the contentions of Malay conservatives who may perceive joget as an erotic and titillating social past time. Today, joget has been sanitised and modernised. Currently, it is practiced as a respectable Singapore Malay dance form and commonly performed at festive events such as weddings and gatherings. Equal parts playful and challenging, The Wrong Geng confronts the myriad perspectives towards labour in dance, running parallel with Norhaizad Adam’s practice of addressing Malay identity through movement and performance.
Presented at
National Gallery, Singapore, 2022
Esplanade Pesta Raya Festival, Singapore, 2022
Bandung International Performing Arts Festival, Indonesia, 2022
Esplanade Pentas, Singapore, 2018
Credits
Choreography - Norhaizad Adam
Performer - Norhaizad Adam
2022
Performance design consultant - Ming poon
Researcher - Dr Noramin Farid
Sound design - Bani Haykal
Lighting design - Daryl Norman Soh
Set design - Norhaizad Adam
Visual design - KayKay Nizam
Costume design - Badarudin Hassan
Stage manager - Kow Xiao Jun
2018
Producer - Fezhah Maznan
Dramaturg - Susan Sentler
Lighting Design - James Tan
Stage manager - Rashid Shiddiq