Front Row

A triple bill by Singapore Ballet is offering audiences a mix of classical and contemporary ballet, with works that range from technically demanding to more emotional and reflective. The programme for Ballet Illuminations 2026 includes Paquita, Evening Voices, and Shadow’s Edge, each bringing a very different style and mood to the stage. We catch up with Singapore Ballet’s Artistic Director Janek Schergen, to find out more. 

Image Credit: Photo by Bernie Ng, courtesy of Singapore Ballet & KLPAC

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If you have ever wondered what Baroque sacred music actually sounds like, or why it still resonates today, the upcoming concert Schütz & Bach might just be the thing for you. Featuring the KL Madrigal Singers & Players, the concert brings together the works of Heinrich Schütz and Johann Sebastian Bach, tracing a journey from quiet devotion to something much more uplifting and assured. We find out what's in store from tenor and director, Scott Woo, and Dr Yi Li Chang, a multi-instrumentalist who will be performing on the viola de gamba.

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From back-to-back live performances in the afternoon, to swing dancing in the evening and a full jazz orchestra at night, KL Jazz Day 2026 promises a full spectrum of what jazz can be. Taking place at Yap Ah Shak House, it’s as much about the music as it is about bringing people together. We find out what's in store from singer-songwriter and musician Reza Salleh, who’s organising this year’s event.

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A funeral becomes the starting point for a deeply personal reckoning in Dua Darah, a new theatre production by ZXC Theatre Troupe, that brings us into the mind of a man caught between cultures, faiths, and expectations. As he carries out the rites for his late aunt, memories begin to surface, revealing the complexities of being a Malay-Chinese Muslim in Malaysia today. Blending language, movement, and music, the production tells a story that feels both intimate and universal. We explore this moving and thought-provoking production with director Chee Sek Thim, and playwright Johan Othman.

Image Credit: ZXC Theatre Troupe

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Ambition, power, and the unraveling of the human mind - Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most enduring tragedies. But what happens when we step inside the psyche of Lady Macbeth alone? Masakini Theatre Company’s latest production, Lady M, reimagines The Scottish Play as a gripping solo performance. We speak to actor, producer and Artistic Director Sabera Shaik, and lighting designer Normah Nordin, about bringing this bold vision to life.

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Justice, mercy, revenge, forgiveness. These are big themes, and they sit right at the heart of Shakespeare Demystified: The Merchant of Venice, now brought back by KL Shakespeare Players in a way that speaks to today’s audiences. Joining us to talk about how they make Shakespeare feel immediate and relatable to today’s audience are cast members Nurul Sofia, Zul Zamir, and Lim Soon Heng, who is also the Executive Director, KL Shakespeare Players.

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From legends like Roman Tam, Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung to more contemporary favourites like Eason Chan and Sammi Cheng, Cantopop has produced some of the most memorable songs in Asian pop music. Over the past six years, the Golden Melody series at klpac has celebrated those iconic songs through live performances that combine music, storytelling and nostalgia. Now the series returns for its sixth and final edition, Golden Melody: Our Story and joining us to share more about it are the show’s directors, Ian Chow and Alesia Dhana.

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From performing with traditional instruments to producing electronic music and cinematic soundscapes, Belle Sisoski has built a reputation for blending heritage and modern sound. The Sarawak-born multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer-songwriter plays over 30 traditional instruments, possesses a five-octave vocal range, and has amassed millions of followers across the world. Now, she will be taking her special brand of fusion music to a new level in a special collaboration with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra in the upcoming concert called The MPO and Belle Sisoski: Ethnosphere. She joins us to talk about her musical journey, her influences, and what to look forward to at the upcoming multi-genre concert featuring her signature ethnic-cinematic-EDM sound.

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Two monumental works by Johannes Brahms take centre stage in an upcoming chamber music performance, Brahms: The Two Sonatas for Cello & Piano, featuring the composer’s complete sonatas for cello and piano. These pieces showcase the cello’s lyrical voice and the rich partnership between the two instruments. Joining us to share more about the music is cellist and co-headliner of the recital, Ivan Torres.

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Nighttime means different things to different people. For some, it’s calm and quiet. For others, it’s when emotions feel a little closer to the surface. Presented by the VerSeS Music Ensembles, Moonlit Melodies is a concert built around that idea - music shaped by stillness, shadow, and reflection. It features songs and piano works inspired by the poetry of the night. Joining us to share more are Scott Woo, Director and Tenor with The Poetics Collective, and collaborative pianist Dr Andre Ng.

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