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The Star
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Weekend for the arts: 'Persiapan Seorang Aktor' theatre, Jemimah Wei KL tour
THEATRE: 'PERSIAPAN SEORANG AKTOR' Venue: Nero Event Space, PJPAC, 1 Utama Shopping Mall Date: ends July 20 Fresh off winning two Boh Cameronian Arts Awards earlier this year - including Best Original Script (for Saat Omar) - Persiapan Seorang Aktor returns this weekend in a new staging by Mask Team and director Syahrul Musa. The Bahasa Malaysia production takes the stage at Nero, PJPac. The 90-minute production features Aloy Paradoks and Fazleena Hishamuddin, joined by acclaimed actor-director Nam Ron for this new run. The play tells the story of a gifted actor whose obsession with greatness slowly eats him alive. Determined to become not just Malaysia's best but the greatest the world has ever seen, he dives into acting with almost religious fervour - quoting theory, living the method, and eventually slipping into isolation, burnout, and depression. At the heart of this unraveling is Nina, his wife, whose quiet devotion brings brief moments of warmth and clarity. Persiapan is both a love letter to the art of acting and a cautionary tale about ego, ambition, and the hidden cost of chasing perfection. Threaded with nods to Hamlet and moving between tragedy and dry humour, the play offers a raw, compelling look at an artist on the edge - and a reminder that even noble dreams can take their toll. Audiences have responded warmly, but if you're hoping to see it, better act fast - only a few nights remain. More info here. THEATRE: 'US A JOURNEY OF LOVE, LOSS & BELONGING' Venue: Pentas 2, KLPac Date: ends July 20 When the lights dim in Us: A Journey Of Love, Loss & Belonging, two characters step onto a bare stage. There's no physical intimacy, no grand gestures, no swelling music – just raw, deliberate dialogue as they try to understand each other and themselves. Written and directed by Fa Abdul, Us is playing at Pentas 2, KLPac in Kuala Lumpur this weekend (July 19 and 20). The play, which made its debut in Penang last month, doesn't promise fairytale endings. Instead, it offers something far more rare: honesty. Starring actors Karam Tabba (a Syrian-born performer) and Lauren Tan (a lawyer, writer, tutor), the play follows Mark and Anna – two emotionally guarded souls bound by deep connection and deeper fear. Ivan Gabriel, a Penang-based artist, actor, and curator, makes a special appearance. As Mark and Anna navigate the tension between closeness and self-preservation, they must confront the emotional walls they've built - can love bridge the gap, or will fear pull them apart? Us is presented by Big Nose Productions and KLPac. More info here. JEMIMAH WEI KL BOOK TOUR Venue: various KL bookstores Date: July 19 and 20 Don't miss out on the chance to meet US-based Singaporean author Jemimah Wei as she visits several bookstores across Kuala Lumpur this weekend: Books Kinokuniya KLCC (July 19), Tsutaya Books Pavilion Bukit Jalil (July 19) and MPH Bookstores The Exchange TRX (July 20). After book tours in the US, Britain and Singapore, Wei is now bringing her newly released debut novel The Original Daughter to Malaysian readers. The book - a project that took the 33-year-old writer over a decade to complete and publish - traces the making and unravelling of family ties against the backdrop of turn-of-the-millennium Singapore. From hiding childhood secrets in biscuit tins to grappling with millennial coming-of-age anxieties, join Wei as she dives into her debut novel and answers questions from readers. More info here. Traditional stage costumes on display at the Chinese Opera exhibition at Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: The Star/Art Chen CHINESE OPERA EXHIBITION: AN INTRODUCTION AND A REMEMBRANCE Venue: Galeri 1, Muzium Negara, Kuala Lumpur Date: ends Sept 8 The newly opened Chinese Opera Exhibition: An Introduction And A Remembrance at Muzium Negara in Kuala Lumpur takes visitors into the vivid world of traditional Chinese opera – with its legendary tales, striking costumes, delicate props, and timeless music. This showcase is a collaboration between Muzium Negara and the Pat Woh Association Malaysia, a KL-based group known for preserving and promoting Cantonese opera. It also how Malaysian Chinese opera draws from the Xiqu tradition, blending stylised acting, singing, graceful movement, and symbolic props. Visitors can also learn about Malaysia's own opera legends – Siew Chan Wan (1919–2022) and Choo Sau Ying (1927–2003) – whose dedication kept the art form alive for future generations. Choy Him Heong, now 92, continues to be a living link to this enduring tradition. From ornate headgear to hand-painted backdrops, intricate musical instruments to archival photographs, each display – there are more than 90 exhibits – reminds us how Chinese opera has long served as both entertainment and living heritage for generations of local communities. More info here. Visitors view Pangrok Sulap's 'Cahaya Adalah Kehidupan' (2022), a woodcut on blackout fabric, at the Sabahan collective's 'The Sound Of Salience' exhibition at Tali Art Gallery, Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Chan Tak Kong EXHIBITION: PANGROK SULAP's 'THE SOUND OF SALIENCE' Venue: Tali Art Gallery, Petaling Jaya Date: ends July 20 It's the last weekend to catch the exhibition at Tali Art Gallery, showcasing Sabahan collective Pangrok Sulap's bold woodcut works - from pieces dating back to 2017 to a newer series developed in Hong Kong. Titled The Sound Of Salience , the exhibition presents eight main works and assorted prints that showcase Pangrok Sulap's signature fusion of social commentary and participatory printmaking. Renowned for using art as a vehicle for social commentary, the collective's works serve as a bridge between communities and pressing issues like climate change, land rights, cultural identity, and sovereignty. It's been increasingly difficult to catch the group's work in the Klang Valley, as Pangrok Sulap has been actively involved in residencies and exhibitions abroad - most recently with a strong showing at the University of Tennessee in the United States in March, and a community art festival in Patani, southern Thailand last month. Formed in 2010, Pangrok Sulap is made up of artists, musicians, printmakers, and activists. Free admission exhibition. More info here. Lyne Ismail at her painterly debut exhibition 'Cat Town: Energy, Matter, And The Art Of Becoming' at Temu House, Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Azman Ghani EXHIBITION: LYNE ISMAIL'S 'CAT TOWN: ENERGY, MATTER, AND THE ART OF BECOMING' Venue: Temu House, Petaling Jaya Date: ends July 27 Cat Town: Energy, Matter And The Art Of Becoming brings science and art into thoughtful, immersive dialogue. Visual artist, material scientist, and academic Lyne Ismail invites viewers to explore abstraction, sensory perception, and expansive ideas through the lens of resonance and transformation. On view is a new series of large abstract paintings alongside a live cymatic installation, where water responds to sound and vibration by forming intricate, mandala-like patterns. By making resonance visible, Lyne encourages viewers to feel their way into meaning, rather than decode it intellectually. The exhibition also expands on her book Musings Of The Spring Water, launching in tandem with the show. Together, they offer a sensory and reflective journey into energy, intuition, and the act of becoming. More info here.
The Star
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Weekend for the arts: 'Young Mozart Voyager', Deepset and DDA at Live Fact
CONCERT: KL CITY OPERA'S 'YOUNG MOZART VOYAGER' Venue: The Platform, Menara KEN, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur Date: May 31 School holiday alert! Introduce the young ones to something new. KL City Opera, fresh off its double win at the recent Boh Cameronian Arts Awards (for the acclaimed Opera Si! La Boheme ), is now setting its sights on a younger audience with Young Mozart Voyager. Set to play at The Platform, Menara KEN TTDI in Kuala Lumpur on May 31, this original, family-friendly opera pantomime welcomes children and families into the whimsical world of Mozart through a lively blend of music, theatre, and storytelling. There will be two performances on the day – one at 3pm and another at 8pm. Children aged six and above require a ticket. Ages five and below enter free but must share a seat with a parent. 'We wanted to create something magical and accessible – where families can laugh, learn, and enjoy the wonders of Mozart together,' says Danny Chen, KL City Opera executive producer. Performed in English, the 110-minute production (with an intermission) features excerpts from The Marriage Of Figaro and The Magic Flute, offering a playful and engaging introduction to opera. On stage, Young Mozart Voyager follows a curious child who journeys through the fantastical realms of Mozart's operas, meeting beloved characters such as Papageno, the Queen of the Night, and Figaro. The cast features Qahar Aqilah as Mozart, Cheryl Tan as Susanna, Renna Kim as the Countess, Natalie Makulin as Cherubino and Papagena, Wynn Ch'ng Way Sean as Figaro, Cao Yixiao as the Count, Adry Nasution as Papageno, Thompson Yunga as Tamino, Sharlene Rani as Pamina, and Irma Lailatul as the Queen of the Night. More info: Deepset (from left: Lothfi, Zubair, Asshad and Azwan), a longtime fixture at indie venue Live Fact, returns on May 31 to help celebrate its 10th anniversary. Photo: Nadia Jasmine CONCERT: LIVE FACT 'CAN'T BELIEVE IT ... WE ARE 10!' Venue: Live Fact, The Strand, Kota Damansara, Petaling Jaya Date: May 31 and June 1 Independent venue Live Fact in Petaling Jaya is steadily turning up the heat with its 10th anniversary party series – a rare chance to not just celebrate a vital space for fringe music, but to reflect on what it means to be part of a community shaped by curious ears and open minds. The 'Can't Believe It ... We Are 10!' anniversary celebrations, which kicked off on May 17, continues with four more shows, spotlighting a diverse range of acts across post rock, electronica, singer-songwriter and ambient pop genres. From its humble beginnings in an Old Klang Road suburb to its 2018 move to The Strand, Kota Damansara, Live Fact has seen many bands grow with it and stick around for the long haul. This Saturday (May 31), Live Fact welcomes a familiar name – Deepset – to the stage, joined by Daighila, Metaphor, and Moi Last Von. "From our earliest days to our toughest ones, Deepset has always been there to carry us through. What's a celebration without them?" reads a heartfelt post from Live Fact's social media, underscoring the post rock band's enduring bond with the venue. Back in June 2021, Deepset teamed up with Live Fact on a documentary project aimed at raising funds to help keep the venue afloat during the pandemic. The weekend gets even better with Damn Dirty Apes set to take the Live Fact stage this Sunday (June 1), with support from Ratchet. Known for its intense, atmospheric guitar soundscapes, Damn Dirty Apes, promising new material, bring raw energy and emotional heft to every performance. On June 7, Live Fact dives into electronica and psychedelia with a line-up featuring Euseng Seto, The Filters, and Capt'n Trips and The Kid. On June 15, the Live Fact anniversary goes on 'tour,' making a nostalgic return to Taman Danau Desa in KL with a show at TDSC – a nod to the venue's early roots and the community that shaped it. The line-up for the final anniversary party features Amrita Soon, Ally Lew, Tottie, and Stemilyn. More info here. A view of Khabir's installation artwork from his solo exhibition 'Sukma: Megah, Tundok' at Wei-Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Wei-Ling Gallery EXHIBITION: KHABIR ROSLAN'S 'SUKMA: MEGAH, TUNDOK' Venue: Wei-Ling Gallery, Kuala Lumpur Date: ends June 21 After his time in the WLG Incubator Young Artists programme in 2023 under the mentorship of Yau Bee Ling, emerging artist Khabir Roslan presents a solo debut exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery, exploring time through themes of decomposition, repair, and transformation. Using compost soil mixed with pigments and oil, along with stitched bandages and cloth, Khabir creates large-scale, tactile works layered with care and memory. Hexagonal motifs - echoing Singgora clay roof tiles from Nusantara architecture - repeat across the surfaces, evoking both fragmentation and continuity. Titled from the Bahasa Malaysia words sukma (soul), megah (greatness), and tundok (humility), the show reflects on cyclical rhythms of making. Neither quite painting nor sculpture, the works unfold as soil-stained scrolls that stretch floor to ceiling, anchored by a fragment of a boat's hull - merging gesture, object, and grounded reflection. For those new to his work, Khabir is a transdisciplinary artist whose practice weaves together science, cosmology, and philosophy. A Fine Arts graduate from UiTM Shah Alam, he was awarded "Most Promising Artist" after winning the UOB Painting of the Year 2020 in the Emerging Artist category. More info here. Wong's new exhibition ' at Galeri Sasha features paintings, sculptures, and a contemporary take on wayang kulit. Photo: Galeri Sasha EXHIBITION: WONG PERNG FEY'S ' Venue: Galeri Sasha, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI), Kuala Lumpur Date: ends June 21 Galeri Sasha is showing a solo exhibition by Wong Perng Fey, through to June 21. Developed between Austria and Malaysia, the show marks a tonal shift from the psychological intensity of his Beijing years toward a language of clarity, wit, and restraint. Featuring painting, sculpture, and a contemporary take on wayang kulit, the exhibition explores presence without performance - being rather than becoming. It signals a moment of arrival for Wong, placing him firmly within ongoing conversations around abstraction and self-representation. Known for his gestural style and evolving material language, the globe-trotting Wong has exhibited across Asia, with works in major collections including Khazanah Nasional, Singapore Art Museum, and Bank Negara Malaysia. He lives and works between Graz and Kuala Lumpur. More info here. Ramlan (right) shares insights on his work 'Multiplicity' during the recent opening of Tali Art Gallery in Petaling Jaya. Photo: Danny Stones ART TALK: LEA VALENTIN AND RAMLAN ABDULLAH Venue: Tali Art Gallery, Jam PJ (access via The Gasket Alley), Petaling Jaya Date: May 31, 5pm This Saturday, step into a conversation that bridges continents and disciplines as French ceramicist Lea Valentin joins veteran Malaysian sculptor Ramlan Abdullah for an hour-long dialogue on art, space, and the evolving language of contemporary practice. Held via video call at Tali Art Gallery, this intimate session offers a rare glimpse into the minds of two artists whose works - though grounded in very different materials - share a deep sensitivity to spatial experience and sculptural form. The talk is part of Transmapping: Transitive Spaces in Art, t he debut exhibition by Tali Art Gallery, running until June 15. Featuring works by Valentin, Ramlan, and eight other artists from Australia, France, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia, the exhibition explores the fluid boundaries between art, space, and perception - inviting viewers to reconsider how we map meaning onto the spaces we inhabit. Admission is free, and all are welcome to be part of this unfolding conversation. More info here. Lai's exhibition 'Ethereal Echoes' offers the public a rare opportunity to engage with over 80 deeply reflective works - including manuscripts, oil paintings, and ink pieces - created by the artist between 1986 and 2024. Photo: Lai Loong Sung EXHIBITION: LAI LOONG SUNG'S 'ETHEREAL ECHOES' Venue: Wisma Kebudayaan Soka Gakkai Malaysia, Jalan Bukit Bintang, KL Date: ends June 8 Ethereal Echoes: Sketches And Recent Works, an evocative solo exhibition that traces the four-decade artistic journey of Selangor-born veteran artist Lai Loong Sung has taken over the Soka Gakkai Malaysia (SGM) art gallery space. It offers the public a rare opportunity to engage with over 80 deeply reflective works — including manuscripts, oil paintings, and ink pieces — created by Lai between 1986 and 2024. Rooted in both philosophical insight and personal revelation, Ethereal Echoes draws inspiration from the ancient Chinese text Zhuangzi, where 'Tianlai' (Heavenly Sound) refers to the 'unspoken word' — the soundless sound that echoes from the universe and the depths of the human soul. As Lai shares, ' Ethereal Echoes is a melody from the heavens and a sound born within humanity.' This exhibition represents the culmination of Lai's ongoing reflections on the complexities of contemporary life — from war and environmental degradation to the impact of rapid technological advancement — woven together with intimate expressions of the inner self. The show is divided into three sections, each part of the exhibition invites viewers on a deeply contemplative journey. Lai has also transformed the gallery into a working studio, where he'll be developing a large-scale painting and occasionally offering live art demonstrations. Free admission exhibition. Open: 11am-5pm. Closed on Mondays. More info here.
