Klpac kicks off 2023 with a bang

Audiences will be spoilt for choice with klpac and The Actors Studio’s line-up of almost 50 performances in 2023. It kicks off the New Year with “Her Story” (12 to 15 January) followed by “His Story” (23 – 26 February) under the direction of Fa Abdul of Big Nose Productions featuring twenty insightful monologues.

Other exciting collaborations in the first quarter include MyDance Alliance’s “Dancebox” (February), Five Arts Centre’s critically acclaimed “A Notional History” (March), KL Shakespeare Players’ “Shakespeare Demystified: Macbeth” (March) and SIFU Productions’ “indicinelive! 8” (March / April).

The highlight of its 2023 programming will be two international acts – “Mark Atkin, his stories and his music” (February) in collaboration with the Australian High Commission in Malaysia as well as a dance show by renowned indigenous group Bulareyaung Dance Company (July) in collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia.

Carrying on the heritage theme is The Actors Studio’s much-anticipated staging of “Jebat” (September), written by U-En Ng and directed by Joe Hasham OAM. Other highlights include the return of the “Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival” (YSDAF) after five long years followed by SHORT+SWEET Malaysia.

Music fans are in for a rockin’ good time with The Revival Music series under Ian Chow, featuring oldies concert “Yesterday Once More 4” (February), “Let’s Rock 3” (March /April), “Top of the Pops” (June), Radiohead tribute “True Love Waits” (August), “Lagenda Malaysia” (August) and “Golden Melody 4” (November). Tickets for “on-sale” shows can be purchased via CloudJoi at https://www.cloudjoi.com/

Aside from the standard classical repertoire by The klpac Orchestra, The klpac Symphonic Band and The klpac String Orchestra, there will also be kid-friendly concerts like the wildly popular outdoor “Music Play Date”, interactive “Music in the Jungle” for the littlest ones as well as outreach programmes for musicians.

Other regular collaborators back in the later part of the year include the Malaysian Jazz Piano Festival, Conservatory of Music, College of Creative Arts UiTM’s Malaysian Composers Concert series, carboot yard sale Kabut in the Park with Evangeline Lim and MUKA Space’s theatre offering. It winds up its 2023 programming with another massive spectacular and seasonal favourite Christmas Extravaganza 2.0”.

Shows aside, klpac and The Actors Studio have a host of educational offerings including its “Backstage Bites” guided tour experience throughout 2023. Pick up a new skill by joining The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac’s “Free Your Authentic Voice” by Mark Wong (7 to 8 January), “Production Stage Management Workshop” by Suraya Rasid (6 to 8 January), “Chinese Sword Dance Workshop” by Jack Kek (8 to 13 January) or Speech and Drama Programme (beginning 11 or 12 February).

Other upcoming courses for adults include “Malay Gamelan 101” with Gangsapura, “From the Table to the Floor” and “Acting for Not-So-Young People) with Omar Ali and “Malay Traditional Dance Workshop” with Zhafir Muzani.

With the arts in its recovery period and needing support still, make it your New Year’s resolution to fill our theatres and enjoy these offerings from shows to courses to tours. Make 2023 a spectacular year for the arts’ big comeback.

For more information on programmes or to make a donation, visit www.klpac.org or WhatsApp +6018 227 7212.