Life can often get a little messy – that’s why every once in a while, we might need to perform an act of ‘kemas’, or ‘tidy’ in Malay. That’s what theatremaker Moli Mohter did in 2018, as a sudden thought gripped her – “what if I died, and somebody came by to clean my house, what would they find?” “I was staying by myself at … Continue reading Teater KAMi’s Kemas: An Interview with writer/director Moli Mohter
This February, Teater KAMi presents new play Kemas. Translating to ‘tidy’ or ‘neat’ in Malay, Kemas explores the myriad meanings of kemas through the stories of three women: Salma, Arah and Juminah. Written and directed by Moli Mohter , as inspired by her experience and interactions with neighbours of her estate, Kemas takes place in a housing estate. Salma is the new neighbour, who lives with a husband that’s … Continue reading Preview: Kemas by Teater KAMi
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)
After spending most of the last two years relegated to online platforms, Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts returns this May for a 2022, physical edition at Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Now in its 21st edition, the festival celebrates Malay artists across mediums, from music to theatre to dance, with a particular focus on icons who have shaped the local arts and … Continue reading Preview: Pesta Raya 2022 by Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay
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!
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]
★★★★☆ (Performance attended 23/11/19, Matinee) Nessa Anwar’s sophomore full length play proves her mastery over capturing natural conversation and social realism. Presented by new theatre collective Rupa co.lab in their theatrical debut, Rumah Dayak follows a night-hour safehouse for troubled youths in the Malay community. Ironically however, the safehouse itself is facing imminent danger, as they face mounting pressures from the authorities, rising costs of operations, and … Continue reading Review: Rumah Dayak by Rupa co.lab
The Singapore theatre scene is buzzing, with new collectives emerging year after year without fail. This time around, three founding members of Malay playwright collective Main Tulis Group (Hazwan Norly, Nabilah Said and Nessa Anwar) have come together to form Rupa co.lab, whose name is derived from the Sanskrit word प (rūpa), which means “form, shape”, and aims to reshape contemporary conversations through the lens … Continue reading Rumah Dayak: An Interview with New Theatre Collective Rupa co.lab
Trapped by the ghosts of their pasts. Written in response to Noor Effendy Ibrahim’s first play Kerusi Buaian, Cermin, dan Jam (1991), Adib Kosnan’s Rumah Hantu is the result of a year of workshopping under he Malay Heritage Centre’s Projek Bahasa Pengarah (The Director’s Language Project), and sees the rather unusual subject of the haunted house take centrestage. Directed by Noor Effendy Ibrahim, Rumah Hantu already creates an uneasy atmosphere the … Continue reading Review: Rumah Hantu by akulah BIMBO SAKTI
A new collective’s in town and they’re here to make a statement with their debut production this November. Named Rupa co.lab, comprising Malay theatremakers Hazwan Norly, Nabilah Said and Nessa Anwar (all founding members of the playwright collective Main Tulis Group), the collective aims to create new work and provoke and reshapes conversations as seen through the lens of the Malay person. As of now, the … Continue reading Preview: Rumah Dayak by Rupa co.lab
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