Front Row

Four tales of love, longing, and ghostly dreams, told through the poetic power of Cantonese opera, right here in KL! Cantonese Opera: The Dance of Two Butterflies is a collaboration between BoBoKL and Kwai Chai Hong, featuring legendary Grand Master Kam Sin Kiew and a cast of celebrated performers. Joining us to spill the backstage stories and give us a peek behind the curtain are Sean Ghazi, the...

What does it mean to age - and to witness someone you love slowly slip away? In TaTaTa , director Lai Wen Xin draws on deeply personal memories of her grandmother to stage a moving dance theatre performance about ageing, identity, and connection. Featuring acclaimed actress Anne James, this interdisciplinary work invites audiences into the heart of Seri Kembangan New Village, where stories unfold...

Every nation is built on the shoulders of those who gave their all - some celebrated, many forgotten. In an upcoming concert titled Unsung Heroes , Dr Goh Cha-Chien, together with the Musicians Linkage and Philomusica Society ensembles, pay tribute to these individuals through the soaring, stirring power of music. We’re joined by conductor, violinist, and artistic director Dr Goh, who sheds more l...

Few films have left as indelible a mark on cinema as The Godfather - and now, for one night only, its hauntingly beautiful score will echo through Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS under the baton of Gerard Salonga. Gerard joins us to talk about capturing the soul of Nino Rota’s music in The Godfather Live , and the timeless emotional pull of Coppola’s cinematic masterpiece. See omnystudio.com/listener f...

Celebrating female strength and cultural resilience, Setanggi Tari Melayu 2025 brings the stories of legendary Malay women into the spotlight through the journey of Melati, a warrior destined to lead. Presented by ASK Dance Company, this production is directed by Prof Dr. Joseph Gonzales, and is an evocative tribute to the power of heritage, identity, and womanhood, expressed through the language...

Opera gets a fun and family-friendly makeover in KL City Opera ’s Young Mozart Voyager , an original pantomime designed to introduce children to the wonders of classical music. Featuring iconic arias and scenes from The Marriage of Figaro and The Magic Flute, this English-language show makes Mozart’s world come alive for a new generation. We speak to castmembers Qahar Aqilah and Natalie Makulin to...

What happens when timeless literature meets cutting-edge multimedia? Apresiasi A. Samad Said 2025 is set to answer that question with a one-of-a-kind event in Cyberjaya that brings the words of Malaysia’s beloved literary giant to life through digital art, immersive theatre, and interactive storytelling. Organised by Pertubuhan Seni Nusantara in collaboration with MMU, Crisscut Design, and Manggis...

When singer-songwriter Straw Lim returned to Malaysia after travelling to over 50 countries over time, she didn’t just come home, she brought the world with her. Now based in Kota Kinabalu, Straw presents Marilah Pulang , an album showcase that weaves together folk, traditional instruments, and stories from her multicultural roots into a powerful statement on identity and belonging. Performed in o...

What happens when you blend folklore, culture, and musical transformation into one powerful evening? That’s what we’re promised at Symphonic Image , presented by wind ensemble the Philharmonic Winds of Malaysia . Hear more about the pieces they will perform: Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird (arr. by Knox for wind band), Alfred Reed's Armenian Dances, and the Malaysian premiere of David Maslanka's Sy...

The Selangor Symphony Youth Orchestra joins forces with the Asia Ballet Academy to bring one of the world’s most cherished ballets - The Nutcracker - to life. Featuring a 50-piece live orchestra and over 100 dancers, this magical performance blends classical beauty with digital storytelling and guided subtitles. We speak with SSO Founder and Conductor Eugene Pook, along with Ivy Chung, the Preside...

Disguises, deception, and declarations of love — Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night is one of his most beloved comedies, and it’s set to hit the stage under the KL Shakespeare Players ’ Shakespeare Demystified series. Aiming to make the Bard’s comedy accessible, we'll see seven actors playing close to 15 roles, promising a lot of creativity, humour, and heart. Cast members Nurul Sofia, Tika Mu’tamir and...

Pollination 4: the palms of y/our hands is a cross-border exhibition that traces memories, migration, and everyday rituals between Yangon in Myanmar, and Penang. Centred on friendship and shared storytelling, it brings together artists, curators, and communities from across Southeast Asia in a tender reflection of these themes. We speak to co-curator Mark Teh, artist Okui Lala, and collaborator St...

What does it mean to live in the afterlife of the plantation? That’s the question at the heart of The Plantation Plot , a new exhibition presented by ILHAM Gallery in collaboration with global arts organisation Kadist . Curated by Lim Sheau Yun, the show explores how plantation systems not only shaped economies but also displaced communities, altered ecologies, and built the modern world. We speak...

Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music are timeless art forms – and in the hands of masters like Shangita Namasivayam and Dr OS Arun, they continue to evolve while staying rooted in tradition. As they prepare for Sadhana – A Journey of Self-Discovery , and Rendezvous with OS Arun , we speak with the duo about the philosophy behind the shows, the beauty of lifelong learning, and their hopes for the futur...

If the world was ending and you could only save three songs, what would they be? That’s the very question that sparked The Show That Will Not Win An Award , a bold and cheeky new production by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre and The Actors Studio. Despite its tongue-in-cheek title, the show promises a powerful blend of rock anthems, emotional storytelling, and powerhouse vocals. We discuss...

Baroque music might be a few hundred years old, but it’s anything but boring. With fast-paced violin runs, powerful cello duets, and even a harpsichord making an appearance, Baroque Brilliance with The klpac String Orchestra is set to shake up your idea of a classical concert. We catch up with Andrea Sim, the Resident Conductor & Music Director of the klpac String Orchestra, and guest solo cel...

What do Schubert, Mozart, and Adele’s 'Laughing Song' have in common? They’re all part of Lieder, Love and Laughter , a new show by The Poetics Collective featuring members of the KL Madrigal Singers, that’s set to delight audiences with a playful blend of classical favourites and light-hearted gems. If you’ve ever been curious about classical music but didn’t know where to start - this might just...

Poetry has long been a tool for resistance, healing, and hope. This Saturday, Persatuan Penulis Berbilang Bahasa (PEN Malaysia) is hosting One Hour: On Belonging , a fundraiser that brings together poets, performers, and activists for an hour of powerful expression. The show supports artistic and humanitarian work in Palestine and Myanmar—and joining us to talk about it is PEN Malaysia member, Deb...

The MPO is set to present a jazz concert with a modern Asian spin, called All That Jazz . Conducted by Gerard Salonga, The Shang Sisters will bring their Nanyang Jazz style to the stage, together with the contemporary jazz band WVC Jazz Ensemble and friends. Expect a mix of original songs and reimagined classics, offering a fresh take on old favorites. We find out what's in store from pianist and...

Straddle is a new platform by Five Arts Centre, that fosters artistic exchange between Kuala Lumpur and other cities. Straddle #2025 connects artists from Kuala Lumpur and Montreal in a four-day exchange of performances, discussions, and improvisations. This year’s focus: identity—how it’s cultivated, inherited, and reshaped through dance. We speak to producer June Tan and dancer/ choreographer Ja...

Laguku 3.0 marks the next evolution of Orang Orang Drum Theatre ’s signature series, this time placing the spotlight on its emerging performers, the pelapis waris . Over two years, they have developed seven original pieces, each blending drumming with theatre, dance, and unexpected musical elements. The result? A dynamic showcase of rhythm, movement, and transformation, pushing the boundaries of p...

Child marriage remains a pressing issue in Malaysia, and the Students Not Brides 2025 Mobilisation Campaign is working to challenge its normalisation. In support of this cause, 21 female artists have contributed over 40 artworks to a special exhibition called Growing Together, Not Too Soon at Temu House , with part of the proceeds going towards the campaign. We discover how the artists tackled the...

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) are set to present Classical Treasures, a concert featuring six timeless masterpieces, led by Resident Conductor Gerard Salonga. The programme opens with Rossini’s lively Overture of The Barber of Seville, followed by Chopin’s elegant Nocturne in E-flat. Renowned local soprano Datuk Syafinaz Selamat will take center stage with excerpts from Gounod’s Romeo...

Broadway, the West End, and Hollywood come together in one spectacular evening in Stage and Screen Spectacular with The klpac Symphonic Band, conducted by Cheryl Mah. From Rodgers and Hammerstein classics to the unforgettable music of West Side Story and Miss Saigon, this concert also features legendary film scores by Ennio Morricone, Nino Rota, and John Williams. With a mix of drama, romance, and...

Relive The Golden Age of Broadway with KL City Opera, in a concert that will showcase beloved songs from musicals like South Pacific, The Sound of Music, and The King & I, among others. Performed by the KLCO Chorus, young rising stars, and the KLCO Orchestra Ensemble, we find out what's in store from Music Director Cadis Lee, and Chorus Master Mak Chi Hoe. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...