Front Row

Red Soil of Kabul is a play written and directed by Saleh Sepas, which tells a multi-layered story of Kabul after the fall of the government in Afghanistan. Based on real events and experiences, it is a unique theatrical experience that tackles the topics of human rights, child protection, education, migration and refugee issues. We speak to Saleh Sepas (writer & director), Pariya Ahmadi (performer) and Farzana Yakta (crew), who are all with Parastoo Theatre, to learn more.

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"so happy i could die" is described as an immersive and participative theatrical event, that invites audiences to reflect on the meaning of fulfilment and the consequences of the choices they make. Part of Theatresauce's seventh-year anniversary showcase, we find out more about the play which asks - can happiness, fulfilment, and acceptance go hand-in-hand with an impending expiry date? Joining us is the director and producer of the play, Low Yee Choy.

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Malam Takdir is a new opera in Bahasa Melayu by Johan Othman, that is inspired by the Mahabharata. The story revolves around an imagined conversation between a king who was born blind, and his advisor, on the eve of a predestined war that would see all his 100 sons killed in battle. What unfolds is an argument that brings to the fore a story of hope and betrayal, fate, and human volition. We find out more about Five Arts Centre’s new opera, which employs a combination of music, movement and the national language, from the production's director Chee Sek Thim, and performer Nur Hilyati Ramli.

The play Alu & Lesung invites the audience to be voyeurs and peek behind closed doors, and follows an ensemble’s journey in revisiting the peaceful moments in their lives, the events revolving around harm that they have experienced, and their pursuit to heal from these trauma. Part of Theatresauce's seventh-year anniversary showcase, Alu & Lesung is set to be a multisensorial project that utilises minimal text in various Malaysian languages, movement, scent, light, sound, and digital projections. The production’s scenic design is inspired by the solace and security that director Dexter Zhen finds in the maternal homes of Malaccan ancestry that he grew up with. Dexter joins us to share more.

Malam Takdir is a new opera in Bahasa Melayu by Johan Othman, that is inspired by the Mahabharata. The story revolves around an imagined conversation between a king who was born blind, and his advisor, on the eve of a predestined war that would see all his 100 sons killed in battle. What unfolds is an argument that brings to the fore a story of hope and betrayal, fate, and human volition. We find out more about Five Arts Centre’s new opera, which employs a combination of music, movement and the national language, from the production's director Chee Sek Thim, and performer Nur Hilyati Ramli.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The play Alu & Lesung invites the audience to be voyeurs and peek behind closed doors, and follows an ensemble’s journey in revisiting the peaceful moments in their lives, the events revolving around harm that they have experienced, and their pursuit to heal from these trauma. Part of Theatresauce's seventh-year anniversary showcase, Alu & Lesung is set to be a multisensorial project that utilises minimal text in various Malaysian languages, movement, scent, light, sound, and digital projections. The production’s scenic design is inspired by the solace and security that director Dexter Zhen finds in the maternal homes of Malaccan ancestry that he grew up with. Dexter joins us to share more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The podcaster. A kopitiam. “Hello Malaysia!” Through the broadcasting activities of a hobbyist podcaster on his “How Much You Know About Malaysia?” programme, Dama Asia returns with In Perfect Harmony, Too, a show that pays a musical tribute to the popular music and songs that have tugged at our heart strings since Merdeka. Promising a mix of blues, bubblegum pop, rock n' roll, Western pop and more - the production promises to be a fun-filled, eclectic and colourful performance that celebrates our rich cultural diversity, presented in Dama's signature style. We discuss this latest production with Dama Asia’s Pun Kai Loon (Artistic Director and Director) and Melissa Teoh (Associate Artistic Director and Set Designer).

The Philharmonic Society of Selangor or The Phil as it's better known as, is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year - and they're set to stage their Music from Movies & Musicals – 65th Anniversary Charity Concert to celebrate! Featuring an almost 80-member strong community choir, the group want to take you on a trip down memory lane with well loved classics, and all in the name of charity too - with proceeds from ticket sales being channelled to several charitable organisations. We speak to Brenda James, the Chairperson of the Philharmonic Society of Selangor, to find out more.

Said to be inspired by the tragic and romantic beats of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, Opium By Any Other Name promises to be a tale of betrayal, romance and tragedy, and is director Tarrant Kwok’s second offering, in his “Opium” thematic series of plays. He joins us to share more about the play that follows young lovers in 1890s Taiping as they navigate the journey of self-discovery while attempting to unite their opposing Ghee Hin and Hai San clans amidst rising political unrest.

The podcaster. A kopitiam. “Hello Malaysia!” Through the broadcasting activities of a hobbyist podcaster on his “How Much You Know About Malaysia?” programme, Dama Asia returns with In Perfect Harmony, Too, a show that pays a musical tribute to the popular music and songs that have tugged at our heart strings since Merdeka. Promising a mix of blues, bubblegum pop, rock n' roll, Western pop and more - the production promises to be a fun-filled, eclectic and colourful performance that celebrates our rich cultural diversity, presented in Dama's signature style. We discuss this latest production with Dama Asia’s Pun Kai Loon (Artistic Director and Director) and Melissa Teoh (Associate Artistic Director and Set Designer).

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.