Review: Teater Normcore by Ridhwan Saidi (Kuala Lumpur)

Dark humour is rife in these riveting playlets that highlight social issues. KUALA LUMPUR – The term normcore stems from an anti-fashion movement that revolves around purposefully choosing to wear plain, unremarkable clothing. But in the two plays that make up writer Ridhwan Saidi’s Teater Normcore Double Bill, these initially normal looking settings quickly give way to settings far darker than they initially let on. … Continue reading Review: Teater Normcore by Ridhwan Saidi (Kuala Lumpur)

Review: Angkat by Teater Ekamatra

The word ‘angkat’, in Malay, literally means to ‘carry’. In the context of Teater Ekamatra’s final show of 2017 of the same name, ‘angkat’ specifically refers to the concept of adoptive mothers (or ‘mak angkat’), and attempts to shed a light on these women’s own insecurities and relationships with their adoptive children. Conceptualised by Nabilah Said and written and devised by director Irfan Kasban, along with … Continue reading Review: Angkat by Teater Ekamatra

Preview: Angkat by Teater Ekamatra

She may be away in Goldsmiths pursuing an MFA, but playwright Nabilah Said will be having her newest Malay work presented this December by Teater Ekamatra. Titled Angkat, the play was co-written by Nabilah and director Irfan Kasban, as well as the cast of Angkat. Angkat follows Salma, a National Idol hopeful, who is asked to alter her image so as to appeal to the masses. … Continue reading Preview: Angkat by Teater Ekamatra

Charting A Course Through Bugis Culture In Singapore: Malay CultureFest 2017

The Malay Heritage Centre kicked off its annual Malay CultureFest on 13th October with a bang. Opening the festival was a spectacle of stylised dance, ethnic drums and martial arts tracing the roots of the sub-ethnic community from Bugis – from the myth of their creation, to the people’s departure from their homeland after the Makassar War in the 1600s. Titled Aga Kareba, the performance … Continue reading Charting A Course Through Bugis Culture In Singapore: Malay CultureFest 2017

Review: ETA: 9MIN by Main Tulis Group

No time for epic three hour plays? Think that Shakespeare is a little too dense for an enjoyable night out? All new playwright collective the Main Tulis Group has arrived on the scene to resolve those problems, and debuted nine short 9 minute plays at Centre 42’s Late Night Texting this August. Founded by writer Nabilah Said in 2016, the group consists of an all … Continue reading Review: ETA: 9MIN by Main Tulis Group