VISITS revival brings mental health themes to stage

Dramalab’s much-anticipated staging of VISITS marks a standout feature in the Jit Murad Festival 2025 (JitFest2025), offering a bold new vision of one of the late playwright’s most psychologically rich and darkly witty works. The play, directed by award-winning actress and filmmaker Ida Nerina, will be held at Nero, Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), 1 Utama E, from 20 to 29 June 2025.

Originally staged in 2002, VISITS has undergone a significant transformation in this 2025 production. Under Ida’s direction, the play now unpacks deeper psychological and surreal layers while remaining faithful to Jit’s sharp, observational humour. “Jit wrote women like no one else—layered, contradictory, loving, cruel, and heartbreakingly human,” said Ida Nerina. “VISITS holds a mirror to everything we’re almost afraid to admit—and makes us laugh through it.”

This revival is set within a sleek, high-end mental wellness facility, where the lives of three women intersect in a single, emotionally charged room. What unfolds is both compelling and unsettling: a power struggle laced with maternal guilt, class disparity, and the fragile line between healing and control.

A stellar cast

The narrative orbits around three formidable female characters—The Woman, The Sister-in-Law, and The Nurse—portrayed by acclaimed Malaysian actresses Nabila Huda, Nadia Aqilah and Sofia Jane, respectively.

Nabila Huda, playing the role of The Woman recovering from mental distress, finds freedom in theatre’s versatility. “One thing I love about theatre, I can play multiple characters that I might not get on screen! The vibe is totally different!” she shared.

As the fiery and relentless Sister-in-Law, Nadia Aqilah brings a confrontational presence. “Rehearsals are a journey of discovery, delving into the complexities of human relationships. It’s both challenging and rewarding, and I believe audiences will enjoy the dynamics between the three of us on stage—thought provoking,” she said.

Sofia Jane, as the enigmatic Nurse, brings her nuanced touch to a role rooted in compassion and ambiguity. For her, rehearsals have become a rare space of creative solace. “I’m not here to fix you. I’m here to remind you that you’re not broken,” she quoted from the play—encapsulating the character’s emotional grounding.

Confronting mental health

VISITS engages deeply with Malaysia’s cultural silence around mental health, exploring how emotional pain is often somatised or masked by physical symptoms. This is particularly significant in local communities where expressions like susah hati (heavy-hearted) often substitute more direct discussions of psychological distress.

By setting the story in a luxury mental facility and populating it with women navigating pain, duty, and societal expectations, the play dismantles the taboo around mental illness while adding a layer of dark humour that makes its truths more palatable. Class tensions, motherhood, and personal identity are themes woven throughout, allowing the audience to confront uncomfortable questions in a space that blends wit with empathy.

Special performance

Beyond its theatrical significance, VISITS is also contributing to real-world causes. A special “Charitea Matinee” will take place on Sunday, 22 June at 3:00 PM, hosted by Charitea in support of the Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA). The performance will be graced by the production’s patron, YTM Raja Dato’ Seri Eleena binti Almarhum Sultan Azlan Muhibbuddin Shah Al-Maghfur-Lah. All proceeds will go towards MMHA’s initiatives to support women and children in mental health crises.

The 1 hour 40-minute play (no interval) runs nightly at 8:30 PM from 20–21 and 24–29 June, with matinee shows at 3:00 PM on 21–22 and 28–29 June. Tickets are priced at RM108 for Early Bird/OKU/OAP, RM135 standard, and RM240 for JitFest Friends. Tickets can be purchased via www.onetix.my.

Those interested in supporting Dramalab’s broader JitFest 2025 programming may contact [email protected]. For more updates, follow them on Facebook (@dramalab2018) and Instagram (@dramalabkl).