klpac Turns 18 – Finally Legal

In the blink of an eye, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) is set to turn 18
on the 9th of May 2023. For those who have yet to step foot into klpac, May is the
perfect time as they celebrate their birthday with an exciting array of programmes.

Tour klpac & meet klpac’s founders

It is never too late to get to know your local arts centre. Join klpac’s “Backstage Bites”
guided tour experience on 7 May 2023 from 9.30 am which brings you through its
121-year-old heritage building. Find out how it all started, where all the magic happens
backstage and access areas normally not open to the public.

Following the tour, there will be an intimate, no-holds-barred “Jom Sembang” session
with klpac’s Co-Founders Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican & Joe Hasham OAM. Get up close
and personal with these theatre icons and ask any burning questions you may have.
Greatest fear? The craziest thing they have done?

While the tour is limited to 25 pax, more can be accommodated for the “Jom
Sembang” session. Supported by Yayasan Sime Darby, register for “Backstage
Bites” .

Birthday month shows

Another highlight of klpac’s birthday month is the return of Faridah Merican to
the stage. She will play the lead role in one of Kuo Pao Kun’s most iconic works “Mama
Looks for Her Cat” from 19 to 21 May under the direction of Benjamin Ho.

Other shows to watch out for include the experimental dance showcase “KonTra :
Borneo”, klpac Orchestra’s “Czech Impressions” featuring music of Antonín Dvořák
and Bedřich Smetan and Theatresauce’s “They All Die At The End”. Tickets can be
purchased via Cloudjoy.

Score free tickets & trial classes

If the line-up above excites you, join klpac’s Birthday Ticket Giveaway where they will be
giving out 18 pairs of tickets to 18 different shows. More details on klpac’s Facebook
and Instagram.

The Actors Studio Academy @ klpac is also offering free trial classes for its Speech &
Drama programme on 14 May (10.30 am to 11.30 am for 7 to 9-year-olds, 11.30 am to
12.30 pm for 10 to 12-year-olds).

If you are ready to dive right in, then sign up for one of its courses starting in May –
Acting Foundations for Adults, 2-Day Malay Gamelan Crash Course with Gangsapura
or Jom Menari: Intro to Traditional Malay Dance for Kids. Register for courses via
this link.

Show klpac some birthday love

It is hard to imagine KL without klpac. A much-loved home for the Malaysian performing
arts, this non-profit organisation has been hit hard by the pandemic and growing
maintenance costs.

Here are some simple ways you can chip in. Buy a POTA (Patron of the Arts) ticket for
its shows (which also gives you the best seats in the house) or shop its pre-loved goods
or KamWei Fong’s The Furry Thing animal illustrations on Barang Best via
this link.

If you’re an avid theatre-goer and want to do more, sign up for its POTA Annual
Packages to enjoy savings with its exclusive discounts, unique passes and experiences
here.