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New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Staging the afterlife: A play that dares to talk about death
THE cast of If There Is an Afterlife, I Hope It's Your Version Instead of Mine will insist they're not particularly close. They'll laugh it off with jokes and playful teasing if you suggest otherwise, but spend five minutes in their company, and the truth reveals itself. There's an unspoken intimacy in the way they move around each other, finish each other's sentences and share easy, knowing laughter. It's the kind of bond forged by people who've walked through fire and recognised the same burn marks on others. The play, which returned to the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre recently, follows Sofia, a skeptical Malay woman wrestling with her faith while caring for her devout, cancer-stricken mother. Three years after her mother's death, grief resurfaces when childhood friends are confronted with a family crisis of their own. Writer-director Asyraf Syahir, better known as Acap, drew from his own experience of losing his mother three years ago. Clad in all black with the quiet intensity of someone well-acquainted with life, death, and the occasional black metal lyric, he speaks with clarity and conviction about his casting choices. "I find people with real experiences," begins the 33-year-old, adding: "Technical stuff can be taught. Real emotions have to come from within." That philosophy drives every choice. Myrra Baity Khan, 31, who plays Sofia, knows grief intimately. Her father died when she was five, followed by her grandparents. "I didn't cry for 18 years," she shares. Of mixed Pakistani, Arab, Malay and Chinese heritage, she spent her youth "shape-shifting to fit in" and her hunger for connection drives her performance. "When I was 17, I wrote a monologue that made this girl cry. We're still friends today. That's exactly what I want — connection," she adds, expression earnest. Leon Khoo, 27, known as LeonieTunez, recalls his first time reading the script. "It got me in tears," he admits, adding: "I was transitioning from who I was before to who I am now." Hailing from a conservative background, the stage became a form of liberation. "On stage, I get to play. Maybe one day, that'll manifest in real life," he says, voice low. For Alya Amani, a 27-year-old public relations executive and model, identity has always been complicated. Half Chinese, half Malay, she grew up feeling like she was never enough of either. "I fit everywhere but belonged nowhere," she shares. It was on stage that she finally found a place to call her own. Inspired by Glee and High School Musical, Alya has grown from chasing validation to chasing impact. "If they laugh, cry or get angry — as long as they feel something, I've done my job." Errie Woo, a clinical hypnotherapist and aerial yoga instructor, takes on the role of the mother. She first discovered theatre through workshops, and her experience working with cancer patients gave her a deeper connection to the story. "My first performance felt like a calling," confides the 47-year-old, adding: "Audiences tell us this is their story too." What sets this production apart is its willingness to confront questions of faith openly — and from a place of uncertainty. These are people who have wrestled with their own beliefs, not to dismiss them, but out of genuine curiosity and a need to understand. "There are so few safe spaces in Malaysia to talk about faith through doubt," says Myrra, adding: "When I saw a project with this kind of bravery, I was like, 'hell yeah!'" For Acap, he knew that he had to approach the subject with care, choosing to explore faith broadly rather than focus on a specific religion. "It would've been a problem narrowing it to just one, so we have two running in parallel," he explains. And asked what was his biggest hurdle? He doesn't miss a beat. "Money," he confides, before adding wryly: "It's all self-funded." SHARED HEALING Through this play, healing has taken on a new meaning for its cast. Leon describes it as "returning to your truest self, becoming better in every way." For Alya, it's about "learning to accept both the good and the bad." Myrra adds: "Most Malaysian families don't talk about someone once they're gone. And that silence keeps us from grieving, from healing." For audiences carrying their own losses, the production offers no easy comfort. "We want to show nuance," they say, continuing: "That it's okay to feel angry, to feel unhinged. Grief is messy — it doesn't follow a straight line." The cast hold different beliefs about what comes next. Errie believes in reunion. Acap quietly admits he thinks we simply cease to exist. Leon is more matter-of-fact: "I'd rather not think about it. I just want to live now." Yet within this work, they've built a space where those conflicting truths can sit side by side. Because when someone you love is gone, and they believed in peace beyond this life, maybe it's enough to hope they were right. That their version of the afterlife exists, even if it isn't yours. And sometimes, that fragile, imagined possibility is its own kind of peace. This isn't sugar-coated reassurance. It's an embrace. A quiet, unflinching reminder: we get it. It hurts. But you don't have to carry it alone.
Rakyat Post
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rakyat Post
Exciting May: Dragon Boating, Theatre Play & More Weekend Activities Not To Be Missed
Subscribe to our FREE There are some awesome surprises this weekend and the next lined up for you! Imagine diving into the vibrant world of Bornean cultures and then hopping into a dragon boat for your very first ride. No matter which activity you choose to participate in, every moment is going to leave you buzzing with excitement. Here are some picks to keep your weekends exciting and colourful. Artisan Bread Festival | 21-26 May | Lot 10 | 10am-10pm | Free public event Salon Du Pain Artisan Bread Festival this year follows the theme of pistachio. Part 1 of the festival will be held at Lot 10 from 21 to 26 May featuring delicious bakes and treats from 19 bakeries. You might be able to sort out your breakfasts and lunches for the next few days too. Meanwhile, Part 2 will take place from 27 May to 2 June featuring 20 bakeries while Part 3 features 21 more bakeries from 3 to 8 June 2025. Do check Salon Du Pain's Instagram page for updates. If There Is An Afterlife, I Hope It's Your Version Instead Of Mine | 22-25 May | KLPAC | Daily: 8.30pm, Weekend Matinee: 3pm | Ticketed event EJKLS seni is restaging its most emotionally gripping play written and directed by its founder and artistic director, Asyraf Syahir. The play is a tribute to Asyraf's late mother who lost her life to cancer. As such, the play explores the grief and the sense of loss that comes after, and faith during this bleak mourning period. Tickets are available for purchase at CloudJoi Borneo Native Festival 2025 | 23-25 May | Central Market | 10am-10pm | Free public event The Borneo Native Festival is back for its fourth iconic year celebrating the vibrant spirit of Kaamatan and Gawai. There'll be tons to look forward to such as the Datun Julud mob dance and the live music performance Brew & Bites Market | 23-25 May | The Campus Ampang | 10am-10pm | Free public event The Brew & Bites Market is exactly as it sounds. There'll be delicious fresh bakes paired with coffees to satisfy your cravings and activities that everyone can enjoy. Some fun things taking place include hands-on workshop making sand art, coffee candle, and paper lanterns to exercise your creativity. Maple Food Market | 23-25 May | Great Eastern Mall | 11am-8pm | Free public event The Maple Food Market returns with a flavour-packed selection so expect fine bites, brews, and bakes from passionate local artisan and gourmet vendors. Come hungry so you can taste and explore more. Aloha Party | 24 May | Selected TGVs | 3pm onwards | Ticketed event To celebrate the new Lilo & Stitch movie, TGV Suria KLCC, 1 Utama, Pavilion Bukit Jalil, Gurney Paragon, and Tebrau City are holding an Aloha Party, a tropical getaway for the girls on 24 May from 3pm onwards. The deluxe ticket costs RM40 while the beanie ticket costs RM95 per pair. The ticket is inclusive of mystery gifts, tropical fits, and the opportunity to participate in activities such as the Aloha photo booth, cake decorating session, and carnival games. Remmeber to get your tickets from TGV's official website Kodama Toy x 30 Malaysian Artist | 24 May-16 June | A4A Gallery, GMBB | Free public event Established in the 1930s in Tokyo, Kodama Toy is known for its handcrafted soft vinyl figures. Their most iconic creation, Charmy-Chan, has remained a beloved collectible for nearly 50 years and will be sporting fresh interpretations by 30 Malaysian artists. Each piece is a 1-to-1 creation accompanied by a personalised artwork from the artist. The opening day on 24 May will start from 2pm until 7pm. The exhibition will run from 24 May to 16 June from 1pm to 7pm. World Otter Day | 25 May | Rimbun Dahan | 10am onwards | Free public event Rimbun Dahan partners with the Malaysia Otter Network to celebrate otters. There'll be various activities for the whole family such as art workshops, engaging talks, exhibitions, and more that explores the lives of Malaysia's otters and the wetland ecosystem. There are no entrance fees but workshops require registration. Pasar Tapau | 25 May | Kedai KL | 11am-5pm | Free public event You can shop for old records and vintage finds while enjoying a cuppa at Pasar Tapau this Sunday. The F&B vendors are moved to the Zen Garden where visitors can also chill on the benches while listening to the DJ spinning tracks. Argo Naga Dragon Boat Open Day | 31 May-7 June | Marina Putrajaya | 8am-11am | RM50/pax Are you interested in dragon boating but don't know where to start? Try it out at Argo Naga's open day that's happening from 31 May to 7 June. The friendly open day will be held at Marina Putrajaya, Presint 5 from 8am to 11am. During the open day, newcomers get to try out dragon boating under expert guidance, especially learning the basics of paddling as a team in this exciting sport. If this piques your interest, remember to sign up by filling the Google Form You can also direct questions by dropping them a message on their social media accounts or sending an email to The Godfather Live | 14 June | Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra | 8pm | Ticketed event You can relive the rise and fall of the Corleone family empire while listening to a full orchestral performance led by conductor Gerard Salonga. Italian composer Nino Rota composed the legendary score for the three-time Academy Award winning film The Godfather starring Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan, and Robert Duvall. On 14 June, the legendary score comes alive in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Remember to purchase your tickets from MPO here. READ MORE: Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . 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