Front Row

Two theatre figures from the industry take a look back at the theatre scene in 2014. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two dance figures from the industry take a look back at the dance scene in 2014. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas' was written in 1823 by Clement Clarke Moore, and is read here by one of our Bigger Picture presenters, produced by Anusha Abishegam. The original title of the poem was 'A Visit from St Nicholas'. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Setting the mood for this Christmas eve, we look at some of the ways folks celebrate Christmas with their friends and loved ones around the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helping spread the Christmas cheer and spirit, the sax player teams with Pure Energy to bring a hip hop Christmas to KL and KLites. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

45 works of the 39-year-old artist, Ivan Lam, marks the opening of Wei Ling Contemporary’s new space on the rooftop of Gardens Mall.  This is a solo exhibition looking back at the last 20 years of the artist’s career.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the midst of Christmas cheer and perhaps to moderate our exuberance, the theatre company offers a play that looks unflinchingly ‘at the vulnerability of the human spirit. It is a lonely tale, driven by fear and …’  Dang, Christopher Ling, it’s Christmas. Grinch. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ten years ago, theatre practitioner and exponent Krishen Jit passed away. Thirty years ago, he and some other performing arts people formed The First Arts Centre. In January 2015, the organization will hold a conference to celebrate its anniversary and at the same time commemorate Krishen Jit, begging the question what he would be doing next if he were around. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

From the culture from which we borrowed the word ‘duit’, its dance. Pauline Fan and Eddin Khoo of Pusaka tells about the history of the dance and what is being done to keep it alive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the young musicians gearing up to play in two public concerts in the coming week, the head of the Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra blows his trumpet about them. And in the meantime we get a little history and some insights into the orchestra’s workings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why friends come together to sing and to cut a holiday CD. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the performing arts--Revolution Stage--and a youth-focused social venture--myHarapan--get together.  The collaboration has given birth to a musical about unemployed youth who are challenged to use the theatre to reach out to other unemployed youth. Sounds like life imitating art, imitating art to imitate life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A dance festival that brings together international and local choreographers, including Malaysians living and based abroad. The festival also offers a platform that fosters an exchange of ideas, encourage exploration of new ground and provide opportunities to experience a wide spectrum of dance/movement disciplines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Telling the story behind the story of an animated film of a race driver. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does the director of a play do and how does this person take words on the page and breathe coherent lives on the stage and meaning to the work? Kwong Loke shares insights into the craft that makes live stage performances compelling and immediate--the invisible work that goes into what many call, a play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looking back at some major and interesting performances in November. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A theatre company reenacts a witness’s account of the Batang Kali incident which took place on December 12, 1948 when British troops killed 24 villagers five months after the declaration of the Malayan Emergency. The play is titled No CoverUp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Playing a god-like role in the entertainment industry, designing worlds, universes and the inhabitants who breathe and live there. This craft needs the balance of structural rules and the play of the imagination. However, what more needs to be done if the imagined universe were handed down on a platter? How to deal with the anxiety of influence? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The collector shares his collection with the public; he now shares how he collects and the appeal of the works he collects. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Collecting and exhibiting not for the economy but for a nation’s visual representation of its history. The Director of the Bank Negara’s Museum and Art Gallery tells about its mission, permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The swordsman as a dancer. Lee Wushu Arts Theatre marries the movement patterns of simulated sword fighting, dance and the martial mind. The sword is described as the ‘gentleman’ of weapons. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The award-winning Yudi Yap, famous for the colourful cabarets of Old Shanghai Jazz halls brings us something closer to home: memorable melodies from Nanyang (aka the Malay Archipelago), the romance of 1950’s and 1960’s with a repertoire of favourite music from pre- and post-Merdeka.  She melds a hybrid of Malay melodies, Shanghai pop music mixed in with songs from Hollywood. ...

After a showing in London at an event called START, a diverse collection of works by local artists is back for an exhibition. The managing director says that these works surface the country’s untold stories. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He plays in Gospel, blues, jazz, r&b, soul, hip-hop. Ezra and his horn has something to say. The vehicle in which he chooses to convey this message is in the form of his Debut album "The Journey". See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interview on adapting the Bard’s comedy The Taming of the Shrew and calling it Chalo Shaadi Karenge. This play with Bollywood-styled dances and music shows how Temple of Fine Arts reimagines a 16th century play. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.