Front Row

The Sisters Soong is a new production by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat, weaving a dramatic tale that spans the personal and political spheres of three of the most influential women in 20th-century China. Written by Joe Hasham OAM and directed by Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, this play blends history and fiction to explore the lives of the Soong sisters—Ai-ling, Ching-ling, and Mei-ling—who each played pivotal roles in shaping modern China. Set against a backdrop of political upheaval and familial loyalty, the play promises an engaging theatrical experience, enhanced by live music, intricate choreography, and stunning period costumes. We find out what's in store from two of the production's actors, Season Chee who is playing the character Charlie Soong, and Jane Tee, who is portraying Soong Mei-ling.

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Bharatha Kalanjalii Malaysia are celebrating their 50th anniversary, kicking off a year-long calendar of events with the Bharatanatyam dance performance, Swarnarekha. The school was co-founded in 1974 by Srimathi Meera Venugopal, a distinguished disciple of the renowned Dhananjayan duo, who has been working hard ever since to promote Indian classical dance here in Malaysia. We catch up with Meera, and also her son Rajdessh Gopal, the Director of the school, to look back at the last school's milestones and challenges, and to discuss their plans for the future, including the performances, workshops, and seminars, in store for their 50th anniversary celebrations.

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lowercase laboratories are set to present its debut text adaptation production of Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, which hopes to offer a fresh, innovative take on the classic play, focusing on the psychological depth of the characters and the brutal consequences of their choices. Known for its extreme violence and themes of revenge, this adaptation uses real, dead, and dried flowers to symbolise violence and decay, creating a hauntingly beautiful visual experience. We speak to director Low Yee Choy, and actor Farah Rani, to discuss this staging of Shakespeare's early work, and how this production differs from traditional interpretations.

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Bharatha Kalanjalii Malaysia are celebrating their 50th anniversary, kicking off a year-long calendar of events with the Bharatanatyam dance performance, Swarnarekha. The school was co-founded in 1974 by Srimathi Meera Venugopal, a distinguished disciple of the renowned Dhananjayan duo, who has been working hard ever since to promote Indian classical dance here in Malaysia. We catch up with Meera, and also her son Rajdessh Gopal, the Director of the school, to look back at the last school's milestones and challenges, and to discuss their plans for the future, including the performances, workshops, and seminars, in store for their 50th anniversary celebrations.

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Nothing Gentle in the Shadows is a film that addresses the stigma and silence surrounding sexual violence against men, exploring how their masculinity is questioned by authorities and society when they come forward. The documentary features three male sexual assault survivors from diverse backgrounds who share their experiences, underscoring that sexual violence can affect anyone, regardless of race, gender, or age. A film co-directed by Joshua Inberaj & Laura Low, Nothing Gentle in the Shadows will premiere at 20th Freedom Film Festival, and we discuss what the documentary film is trying to tackle with its co-directors, Joshua and Laura.

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Joseph Haydn's oratorio "The Creation," depicts the biblical creation story from the Book of Genesis, and is set to be performed in Malaysia for the first time since 2013. The one-night-only event, conducted by Prof. Dr. William Weinert from the Eastman School of Music, will feature the Malaysia Bach Festival Singers and Orchestra, and three soloists. We discuss what's in store with Prof. Dr. David Chin, the Founder and Artistic Director of Bachfest Malaysia, the Director of the Bach Collegium and Music Professor at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and a Senior Fellow of the Bach Archive in Leipzig, Germany.

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The Taalam Percussion and Solkattu Academy Malaysia (TAPAS Malaysia) are set to launch this Sunday, and will be the first ghatam school in Malaysia, serving Southeast Asia. The launch includes a morning rhythm workshop, and also free evening performances for the public by leading Malaysian Carnatic music practitioners. We discuss ghatam music, and the upcoming events with Karthik Krishnasamy, the Director of  TAPAS Malaysia. 

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Under the direction of Cheryl Mah and guest conductor Damrih Banawitayakit from Thailand's Silpakorn University, An Uncommon Journey III is both a concert and outreach project, spearheaded by The klpac Symphonic Band. At the concert, we’re promised Malaysia’s brightest young wind, brass, and percussion musicians perform with the Outreach Band and saxophone soloist Mohd Shahrizal Kamal, the 2023 Malaysian Wind Music Prize winner. The concert features 61 musicians aged 16 to 22 from across Malaysia, and will feature new compositions as well. We speak to  Cheryl Mah, the Music Director & Resident Conductor of the klpac Symphonic Band, and Dr. Low Chee Meng, the Project Manager of the show, to discuss what's in store.

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Noted With Thanks is a new stand up show that captures the unexpected twists of life during and after the global lockdown. While many experienced love, loss, self-discovery, and even new pets, Malaysian comedian Kuah Jenhan took a different path by landing his first "real" job at 34, after a 15-year career in stand-up comedy. Adapting to office life, Jenhan finds himself trading the lively atmosphere of performance workshops for the more mundane corporate brainstorming sessions. "Noted With Thanks"  humorously explores how to pursue your dreams by seemingly giving them up, presenting a fish-out-of-water, printer-out-of-paper tale that promises to entertain in a completely safe-for-work manner. We speak to Jenhan to find out more.

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After five years, The klpac Orchestra are back with its unique East meets West concert, Tunes from the East II. This upcoming concert will feature a 70-strong orchestra under the direction of Maestro Lee Kok Leong, showcasing some of Malaysia's most talented Chinese instrumentalists. Featuring a mix of renowned pieces  and also the premiere of local compositions we find out what's in store from the conductor Kok Leong, and composer Yong Tan, whose piece "Dots" will be performed at the show.

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