Front Row

The classics come alive as UK's Merry Opera Company take on Verdi's classic La Traviata, giving it a contemporary feel while taking care to preserve the grand-opera heart of the piece.

We find out more from castmembers Claire Egan and Robin Bailey and producer Matthew Quirk.

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Combining the traditions of gamelan with contemporary theatre and the charms of young talent, "Bites of Delights" is a unique Malaysian musical production by gamelan group Rhythm In Bronze, in collaboration with children's theatre advocate Jumping Jellybeans.

We find out what's in store from Nezia Azmi, who is the Assistant to the Executive Producer and also from castmembers Dhivyaa Mailvaganam and Nazierah Mat Amin.

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Storytelling has come a long way, and the Storytelling Festival 2012, the second edition of the Malaysia International Storytelling Festival is set to kick off this week to reintroduce the art of storytelling as a powerful tool in getting our messages and stories across.

The multi-talented Jo Kukathas, writer, actor, director and storyteller, is one of the participants in this year's festival and shares the many capabilities the proper orchestration of a story can hold.

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The annual Latin American Film Festival in Kuala Lumpur returns, promising a showcase of Latin American culture through films from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay and Venezuela.

Joining us to share what's in store are Mario Miranda the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ecuador in Malaysia and Luisa Elena Lopez Hernandez, the First Secretary at the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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New York playwright Rich Orloff's one-act comedy "Romantic Fools" has been performed more than 800 times around the world and now makes is debut in Kuala Lumpur.

We find out what to expect in this comedic revue on love, lust, dating and romance from lead actor Tony Eusoff.

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Actress Neo Swee Lin and producer Amsalan Doraisingam discuss the award winning "Nadirah," a funny, insightful and moving play which wrestles with complex issues by grounding it in a story about a quirky family and the ties that bind.

The play is written by Singapore's Alfian Sa'at and directed by Malaysia's Jo Kukathas.

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Hoping to provide an avenue for gifted young Malaysian string players to showcase their talents, Beecher Acoustics Ltd, which was founded in 1972 in the UK, is setting up the Beecher International String Orchestra right here in Kuala Lumpur.

Co-founders Jonathan Beecher and Sarah Porter share more about their hopes for the Malaysian arm of the Beecher String Orchestra family.

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An organisation set up to champion, develope and invest in artistic and cultural efforts in Malaysia for all Malaysians, founder, director and miracle worker Izan Satrina shares how the My Performing Arts Agency or MyPAA hopes to raise the standard of locally created art.

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A weaver from the age of 17, Carol Cassidy made a name for herself by combining her own wealth of experience with Laotian heritage, and started Lao Textiles, which has helped rejuvenate the weaving art form.

Now a recognized Guggenheim Studio Artist, Carol discusses her long journey with the art of weaving, and shares more about her exhibition of works here in Malaysia, "Gorgeous Weaves".

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Drawing from legends, literature, and historical lore of different cultures, the folks at Box of Delights are striving to entertain, educate and inspire young audiences.

We find out what they have in store from theatre practitioners and ensemble members Marina Tan and Na'a Murad.

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