KLPac's 'Bollywood Dreams' stirs up excitement in theatre scene, live audiences back thestar.com.my - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thestar.com.my Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Faridah is using the International Women’s Day Celebration 2021 platform and a virtual arts show special to draw attention to the plight of PenangPac. Photo: KLPac
Datuk Faridah Merican, the First Lady of Malaysian Theatre, is rolling up her sleeves to get the performing arts back on track despite the Government’s recent decision to delay the return of live audiences to theatre venues nationwide.
The Malaysian performing arts scene is hurting right now, with the days of empty theatres to continue and no recovery roadmap in place. The Government s health and safety regulations have not been loosened in terms of giving performing arts venues and theatres the opportunity to return with a limited live audience and under strict SOPs.
Theatre practitioners are unhappy that under the new MKN guidelines, live performances are allowed but must be held without a live audience. Photo: Filepic
With Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Penang effectively switching to the conditional movement control order (CMCO) from March 5-18, the National Security Council (MKN) has also updated its guidelines for live performances.
Under the new guidelines, all events, shows or live performances in the creative industry are allowed but must be held without a live audience.
Understandably, many arts and culture practitioners are unhappy with the guidelines. After all, cinemas are allowed to resume operations starting March 5 with a 50% capacity.
Located 5km north of the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Sentul is a juxtaposition of pre-war buildings with their old-world charm and futuristic skyscrapers that punctuate the skyline.
Steeped in history, the former railway hub went through a period of decline before YTL Land & Development took over the 294-acre Sentul Raya development from Taiping Consolidated Bhd and unveiled the Sentul Masterplan comprising Sentul East and Sentul West in 2002, which turned the place around.
Fast forward to today, Sentul is especially well-known for the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), which opened in 2005, and the Sentul Depot event space, which was officially opened by YTL Land in 2018. The area is also fast becoming a desired address to live in with iconic condominiums such as The Capers and The Fennel in Sentul East, and the upmarket The Maple condominium, which is situated in a park.
Composer Imee Ooi and JSJG (Peace Sky Concert) seen at their live stream concert recording at KLPac last month. Apart from no live performances, even recordings of online shows might not be allowed when the MCO is reintroduced. Photo: Handout
Eleven days into 2021 and all fresh optimism of a new beginning in the Malaysian arts and culture scene has fizzled out with the Government s reimplementation of the movement control order (MCO) in six states, which starts on Jan 13.
The Prime Minister said the MCO will be enforced for 14 days (until Jan 26) in Penang, Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Labuan in the Federal Territories, Melaka, Johor and Sabah.