klpac stages Iconic ‘Mama Looking for Her Cat’

In celebration of the 35th anniversary of Kuo Pao Kun’s renowned multilingual play, “Mama Looking for Her Cat,” Paper Monkey Theatre and ACX Productions, with the support of klpac and The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat, are delighted to present a special showcase from 19 to 21 May 2023 at Pentas 2, klpac.

Under the direction of Benjamin Ho, Artistic Director of Paper Monkey Theatre, Dato’ Dr Faridah Merican, a stalwart of Malaysian theatre, takes the stage in a role perfectly suited for her, alongside experienced theatre and television actress Tammi Tam.

With Amelia Tan serving as Dramaturg, “Mama Looking for Her Cat” will be performed in a captivating mix of English, Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Hokkien, Cantonese, Hakka, and other dialects. Although there won’t be subtitles, the production aims to ensure that the performance remains easily understandable and relatable to the audience. Written in 1988, this groundbreaking play was among the first to reflect Singapore’s multicultural and multilingual society.

Ho, who also serves as the Production Designer, expressed his belief in the universality of theatre, stating, “Theatre has no language barrier. It is not the meaning of the words but rather the willingness to communicate with each other through the heart. As Malaysia and Singapore share many similarities, I believe this multilingual play will work wonders, inspiring young audiences to engage with my interpretation of the play.”

With his extensive experience in theatre and puppetry spanning over three decades, Ho has mesmerized audiences across Asia and Europe. His version of “Mama Looking for Her Cat” with students from Shanghai No 3 Girls High in China won the Best Achievement Award in the Inter-Shanghai School Drama Competition 2016.

Notably, both Kuo and Merican were born in the same year and played significant roles in driving theatre in their respective countries. Kuo is widely recognized as one of Singapore’s celebrated playwrights, directors, and theatre designers, known for his unique approach that delves into cultural consciousness and multiracial backgrounds.

Although they never had the opportunity to collaborate personally, Merican cherishes the experience of working with Benjamin Ho on another Kuo Pao Kun play. She fondly shared, “I am loving the experience of working with Benjamin Ho, a first for me, on another Kuo Pao Kun play. I acted in another one of his plays, ‘The Silly Little Girl and the Funny Old Tree,’ and am happy to have another opportunity to revisit his work.”

Joining the talented cast are Debbie Yim, Eugene Ng, Fred Chan, Hendrix Heng, Natalie Makulin, Che Harith, Ng Yuan Ci, Niko Hugh, Skylar Lim, and Toh Shir Ling.

“Mama Looking for Her Cat,” tells the story of an elderly mother who has lost her only companion, a cat. When she seeks help from her grown-up children, she is met with indifference. Left behind in a world consumed by progress and materialism, she embarks on a quest to find her beloved feline, navigating a society that has forgotten the value of tradition, age, and vulnerability.

This poignant and thought-provoking play continues to resonate with today’s generation, shedding light on the linguistic, racial, and cultural diversity within our society while highlighting the impact of the generation gap within families. It beautifully explores the emotional connection between humans and animals.

Tickets for “Mama Looking For Her Cat” are priced at RM98, with a special discounted rate of RM48 available for students. Additional promotions

include klpac’s Birthday Special at RM78, valid from 1 until 14 May 2023. Furthermore, there is a 5% discount for Eslite Malaysia White Card Members, as well as for Tiffin at The Yard and Yamatatsu customers. Eslite Malaysia Gold/Black Card Members can enjoy a generous 10% discount on tickets.

To secure your tickets, you can conveniently purchase them online at https://bit.ly/mamalookingforhercat. For more information about the play and the event, visit the official website of klpac at www.klpac.org or contact the dedicated WhatsApp line at +6018 227 7212.