Front Row

Inspired by Mary Poppins, Inang Popin is a new theatre production for children which blends local Malay theatre influences such as from Bangsawan and Mak Yong, but also with a bit of western influences too. The play explores themes of environmentalism, and aims to foster an appreciation for nature and our lush forests. We find out more about this local Malay-language children's theatre production from Hariry Jalil, the writer and director of the play, and Pat Gui, the producer of the show.

Image Credit: Instagram/PH7 Production Management

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The Retro Glam Malaysian Big Band is back with Viva Tarakucha! featuring vocalists Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana, the Terrer-Menerrer Big Band led by Nish Tham, and the Bobo Grand, of course. We catch up with Sean, who is an actor, singer and the artistic director at BoboKL, and Ida, also a singer, actor and the Queen at Kebaya Jazz, to find out about their only big show planned for this year, promising their signature exploration of songs from yesteryears. 

Image credit: Facebook / Tarakucha

The Retro Glam Malaysian Big Band is back with Viva Tarakucha! featuring vocalists Sean Ghazi and Ida Mariana, the Terrer-Menerrer Big Band led by Nish Tham, and the Bobo Grand, of course. We catch up with Sean, who is an actor, singer and the artistic director at BoboKL, and Ida, also a singer, actor and the Queen at Kebaya Jazz, to find out about their only big show planned for this year, promising their signature exploration of songs from yesteryears. 

Image credit: Facebook / Tarakucha

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Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia (PWM) was founded by a group of passionate musicians, and is a wind orchestra consisting of professional orchestral musicians, jazz soloists, freelance musicians, music educators and tertiary music students. Their repertoire includes original and transcribed wind band works that cover various types of music genres such as classical, contemporary, film and pop music. But in their latest upcoming concert, they are taking on the genre of Malaysian folk music - compositions and resources which are said to be sorely lacking for wind music bands. We find out all about this from Eric Lee, the Artistic Director and conductor of PWM, and also Alex Tsok, the concertmaster of the upcoming performance titled, "Discovering Malaysian Folk Music with PWM."

An exploration of a disquieting human condition, Opium at Closing Time takes us into the often disjointed experiences of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, and also those who care for them. The play is also described as a story of Malaysia, of pivotal history experienced on the personal scale, of the choices that were made, and the consequences we must suffer. Tarrant Kwok, who is the writer and director of the production, shares his own personal experiences of being a carer in this play. Along with cast member Alexis Wong, Tarrant joins us to discuss why the play wants to challenge the audience's perception of time, memory and the meaning of family.

An exploration of a disquieting human condition, Opium at Closing Time takes us into the often disjointed experiences of those suffering from Alzheimer’s, and also those who care for them. The play is also described as a story of Malaysia, of pivotal history experienced on the personal scale, of the choices that were made, and the consequences we must suffer. Tarrant Kwok, who is the writer and director of the production, shares his own personal experiences of being a carer in this play. Along with cast member Alexis Wong, Tarrant joins us to discuss why the play wants to challenge the audience's perception of time, memory and the meaning of family.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia (PWM) was founded by a group of passionate musicians, and is a wind orchestra consisting of professional orchestral musicians, jazz soloists, freelance musicians, music educators and tertiary music students. Their repertoire includes original and transcribed wind band works that cover various types of music genres such as classical, contemporary, film and pop music. But in their latest upcoming concert, they are taking on the genre of Malaysian folk music - compositions and resources which are said to be sorely lacking for wind music bands. We find out all about this from Eric Lee, the Artistic Director and conductor of PWM, and also Alex Tsok, the concertmaster of the upcoming performance titled, "Discovering Malaysian Folk Music with PWM."

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Carmen - the world's most performed opera - is set to be staged again by the Kuala Lumpur City Opera, and will feature a double cast for the leading roles of Carmen, Don José, Escamillo, and Micäela. Perhaps French composer Georges Bizet’s best known work, Carmen expressively features depictions of love, obsession and jealousy, and has become a fixture in opera houses’ repertoire worldwide. We find out what's in store from this particular staging of the beloved opera from cast member Yap Jin Hin, who plays the role of Don Jose, and Mak Chi Hoe, who plays the role of Escamillo, and who is also the chorus master of the KL City Opera.

Image credit: KL City Opera

Carmen - the world's most performed opera - is set to be staged again by the Kuala Lumpur City Opera, and will feature a double cast for the leading roles of Carmen, Don José, Escamillo, and Micäela. Perhaps French composer Georges Bizet’s best known work, Carmen expressively features depictions of love, obsession and jealousy, and has become a fixture in opera houses’ repertoire worldwide. We find out what's in store from this particular staging of the beloved opera from cast member Yap Jin Hin, who plays the role of Don Jose, and Mak Chi Hoe, who plays the role of Escamillo, and who is also the chorus master of the KL City Opera.

Image credit: KL City Opera

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From humble beginnings of school grounds rehearsal spaces and rented instruments, the HANDS Percussion group grew to be critically acclaimed performers, and also a crowd favourite at both local and international stages. Founded 25 years ago by Bernard Goh, the team have weathered some storms these past couple of years, but are back with a literal bang, and are building back even better than before. They are set to present Kaleidoscope VI  - Hands International Drumming Festival "Thunder" this October, and we find out all about it from Bernard, who is also the artistic director of HANDS Percussion. 

Image credit: Facebook / HANDS Percussion