George Town Festival 2019: The Strangers (Review)

Finding the connections between others who seem worlds apart. PENANG, MALAYSIA – Directed by Argentinian director Leandro Kees and dramaturged by Julia Hesse, The Strangers brings together 4 performers from 4 different Asian countries (Cheng Ying-Yun, Kanako Ihara, James Kan Che Wei and Sanghun Lee) as they gather onstage and learn about each other. Seemingly with little to nothing in common, be it food or language or history, … Continue reading George Town Festival 2019: The Strangers (Review)

George Town Festival 2019: An Interview with The Glowers Drama Group

PENANG, MALAYSIA – It’s not every day you get to see a Singaporean theatre company perform overseas, let alone one made entirely of older actors and crew members. But with the highly successful Kampong Chempedak, which made its international premiere at the 2019 George Town Festival, the Glowers Drama Group can give themselves a pat on the back and more for a job well done. Founded by … Continue reading George Town Festival 2019: An Interview with The Glowers Drama Group

George Town Festival 2019: An Interview with Lee Mok Yee, Creator of Superstition II

PENANG, MALAYSIA – Temples may be sacred ground, but for artist Lee Mok Yee, they also double as a gallery, specifically for his latest exhibition Superstition II. Inspired by their interiors and significance, the Malaysian artist has crafted installations in two beautiful temples in George Town as part of the 2019 George Town Festival, each one delving into concepts of religious symbolism, Taoist philosophy and managing to link … Continue reading George Town Festival 2019: An Interview with Lee Mok Yee, Creator of Superstition II

George Town Festival 2019: Kampong Chempedak by The Glowers Drama Group (Review)

Change is the only constant. PENANG, MALAYSIA – While most modern city-dwellers have long gotten used to the constant march of progress as our cityscape moves forth, there remain those that find it difficult to impossible to adapt to the way the world has changed. Performed by Singapore senior theatre group The Glowers, our story then focuses on the villagers of Kampong Chempedak, once a thriving and … Continue reading George Town Festival 2019: Kampong Chempedak by The Glowers Drama Group (Review)

George Town Festival 2019: Screaming in Silence by Parastoo Theatre Team (Review)

Staging the painful truth of forced marriage in Afghanistan.  PENANG, MALAYSIA – Performed by Parastoo Theatre Team, a group of Afghan refugees who are based in Malaysia, Screaming in Silence uses the form of Theatre of the Oppressed to raise awareness about child marriage in Afghanistan, following the life of a young girl forced into marriage with a much older man by her father and the community. Performed in … Continue reading George Town Festival 2019: Screaming in Silence by Parastoo Theatre Team (Review)

Preview: George Town Festival 2019

PENANG, MALAYSIA – Back for its 10th edition this weekend, the annual George Town Festival returns with a promise to deliver an  entirely new way of experiencing arts to everyone. This year, the Festival embodies the idea of making arts accessible to all, regardless of age or background, with a range of programmes that take place all around the historic city. From traditional auditoriums to halls, shophouse … Continue reading Preview: George Town Festival 2019

Art in Malaysia: Dust by Theatresauce (Review)

A poignant reflection on the ever-confusing nature of death and mortality. KUALA LUMPUR – Newly devised by Theatresauce, DUST is a brand new, multi-lingual work that explores the concept of mortality, pieced together from the stories, dreams and imaginations of its five performers, each deeply affected by experiences and questions surrounding death, grief, and ultimately, life. Directed by Esther Liew, DUST comprising a series of expressive visual and auditory montages … Continue reading Art in Malaysia: Dust by Theatresauce (Review)

In Kuala Lumpur 2019: Gold Rain & Hailstones by The Instant Cafe Theatre Company (Review)

A timely reminder of the genius and timelessness of Jit Murad in this reflection on the Malaysian identity. KUALA LUMPUR – It’s been 13 years since Jit Murad’s Gold Rain & Hailstones was last produced in his own home country of Malaysia. So it’s about high time then that a revival is in order by the Instant Cafe Theatre Company this March. Gold Rain & Hailstones follows the outspoken and … Continue reading In Kuala Lumpur 2019: Gold Rain & Hailstones by The Instant Cafe Theatre Company (Review)

In Kuala Lumpur 2019: Ola Bola the Musical (2019 Version) by Enfiniti Productions (Review)

The sold out Malaysian musical continues to swell with nationalistic pride as it returned for a rematch for an even stronger performance this year.  KUALA LUMPUR – After enjoying a sold out run in 2018, Ola Bola the Musical, the ‘best Malaysian musical’ (according to Malaysian PM Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad himself) returned to the Isatana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur this February to wow even more … Continue reading In Kuala Lumpur 2019: Ola Bola the Musical (2019 Version) by Enfiniti Productions (Review)

In Kuala Lumpur 2019: An Interview with the Creative Team of Gold Rain & Hailstones (The Instant Cafe Theatre Company)

KUALA LUMPUR – Jit Murad is one of Malaysia’s most prominent playwrights, having penned some of the country’s sharpest and most scintillating plays effectively highlighting and presenting the Malaysian identity onstage. Last staged in Malaysia in 2006, it seemed only right that as part of their comeback and 30th anniversary, the Instant Cafe Theatre Company’s 30th anniversary would then stage Jit’s very first professional play: Gold Rain … Continue reading In Kuala Lumpur 2019: An Interview with the Creative Team of Gold Rain & Hailstones (The Instant Cafe Theatre Company)