Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with director Atin Amat and actor Fir Rahman on staging ‘SALINA’

It’s been almost three decades since the last time local Malay theatre company Teater Kami staged a theatrical adaptation of Malaysia’s National Laureate A. Samad Said’s seminal novel SALINA. But that’s about to change, as it receives a brand new staging as part of the Esplanade’s 2025 Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts. Adapted and directed by Teater Kami artistic director Atin Amat, SALINA … Continue reading Pesta Raya 2025: An Interview with director Atin Amat and actor Fir Rahman on staging ‘SALINA’

Preview: Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts 2025 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

In the thick of Hari Raya 2025, Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts is back for its 24th edition this May, as Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay celebrates the art of the Nusantra, with music, dance, theatre and more that encapsulates the rich history, heritage and creativity of the region. This year’s festivities are headlined by local theatre company Teater Kami, with a … Continue reading Preview: Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts 2025 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

★★★★★ Review: Geng Rebut Cabinet (GRC) by Teater Ekamatra

Timely, charged play that skilfully skewers the pitfalls of politics, and how change is almost impossible from within. Politicians have never had it easy. On one hand, they have to ensure that they gain the adoration of the citizens such that they can secure the popular vote and remain in power. On the other hand, how much change can they actually achieve, as they compromise … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Geng Rebut Cabinet (GRC) by Teater Ekamatra

Review: Bohong & Janji by Teater Kami

Teater Kami’s new Black Box Series opens the door to a wealth of new possibilities and what-ifs. While special effects and huge production elements can be fun, oftentimes, the magic of theatre instead comes from the art of a good, sincere performance. In Teater Kami’s new Black Box series, the Malay theatre company goes back to basics and focuses on showcasing Malay actors in brand … Continue reading Review: Bohong & Janji by Teater Kami

Teater Kami’s Black Box Series: An Interview with writer/director Moli Mohter and the cast of double-bill ‘Bohong’ and ‘Janji’

Teater Kami has always been one of the stalwarts of the local Malay theatre scene, striving to tell authentic stories from the community in an artistic way, and focusing on developing various facets of the theatremaking process, from working together with playwrights to promote new scripts, to training actors with workshops during lull periods between performances. The latter, which took the form of the weekly … Continue reading Teater Kami’s Black Box Series: An Interview with writer/director Moli Mohter and the cast of double-bill ‘Bohong’ and ‘Janji’

★★★★★ Review: Potong (2023) by Teater Ekamatra

Circumcision as a rite of passage opens up difficult conversations about family ties. Severance of any form can be a source of great anxiety. Whether it’s separation from the only family you’ve ever known, or even the prospect of removing a part of your body, can the act of having something cut off from you no longer be seen as a necessary rite of passage? … Continue reading ★★★★★ Review: Potong (2023) by Teater Ekamatra

Shaza Ishak appointed Artistic Director of Teater Ekamatra

Teater Ekamatra, one of the longest running ethnic minority theatre companies, has appointed Managing Director, Shaza Ishak, as their new Artistic Director. She succeeds Mohd Fared Jainal, who will step down after a decade in this position. With this new appointment, effective 1 April 2023, Shaza will relinquish her role as Ekamatra’s Managing Director.  “It is with the utmost pleasure that I welcome Shaza as Ekamatra’s new Artistic … Continue reading Shaza Ishak appointed Artistic Director of Teater Ekamatra

★★★★☆ Review: Kepaten Obor – Igniting A Withered Torch (Pesta Raya 2022)

Carrying on her grandmother’s torch. There’s a long-held belief that in growing up, there are certain elements of our personality that will always remain the same. For Suhaili Safari, it seems that she was always destined to be an artist, so rooted in her that it’s practically passed down through her bloodline. In Kepaten Obor, Suhaili not only gets to tell a deeply personal and … Continue reading ★★★★☆ Review: Kepaten Obor – Igniting A Withered Torch (Pesta Raya 2022)

Help Teater Ekamatra raise $10k with their AMBOI! fundraising challenge and unlock a Zoom mini theatre festival!

Initially set for a fantastic season, with stagings of plays such as a Malay version of Chong Tze Chien’s Poop!, like much of the industry, Teater Ekamatra was hit hard by the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions on entertainment venues, seeing a near complete cancellation of all their shows for 2020. Now, more than ever, they need your help to get through these tough times, as they … Continue reading Help Teater Ekamatra raise $10k with their AMBOI! fundraising challenge and unlock a Zoom mini theatre festival!

Preview: Berak by Teater Ekamatra + An Interview with the Creatives [CANCELLED]

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, Berak has been cancelled.  Originally written by Chong Tze Chien and presented as Poop by The Finger Players, this March, Teater Ekamatra adapts the play into Malay, presenting it as a brand new production at the Ngee Ann Kongsi Theatre at W!ld Rice. Berak chronicles the aftermath of a suicide: A grandmother bargains with divine powers to release her … Continue reading Preview: Berak by Teater Ekamatra + An Interview with the Creatives [CANCELLED]