Celebrating beauty in the ordinary

The pandemic has taught us that there is beauty in the ordinary, to draw comfort from the mundane and to find reasons to celebrate despite everything. As we attempt to heal from a difficult year, The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat’s upcoming poetry presentation 心声 Inner Thoughts from 6 to 9 May 2021 in indicine, klpac, may be just what the doctor ordered, a cool balm for our soul.

In this extraordinary collaboration between poet Delia Li and director Joe Hasham OAM, Li’s calming words are lifted from the page and brought to life through a delicate and clever mix of poetry, music and visual arts. The line-up includes an eclectic band of multi-disciplinary artistes bound to create some thoughtful experiences on stage.

心声 Inner Thoughts features award-winning actor Tan Li Yang (Leader of La Voce Choir), professional Guzheng musician Jamie Teng (Leader of fusion band Round Tone) along with award-winning duo, Jacqueline Teng & Toh Shir Ling (Best Overall Production at SHORT+SWEET Song Malaysia 2017), that has specially composed music for the show. Lighting Design will be by Yusman Mokhtar.

Originally from China, Li moved to Singapore before settling down in Malaysia and has long since called this place her home. Through her vast travels and experiences, poetry has held her heart like an anchor. Though Li has been writing for decades, this will be the very first time her poems are performed to a live audience.

Premiering to a grand total of 25 audience members per show, the intimate and cozy presentation perfectly suits her quiet work. Her words will soothe your weary soul and give you warmth in the days to come. It is an invitation to journey with her like a solitary wanderer, a lone cloud in the sky floating over expansive seas, as she gives thanks to each flower, each tree, each cat, each person as they have made us rich, cry, laugh and grow.

All in all, there are 13 beautiful works to be enjoyed - Endless Landscape (无尽山水), The Slipping of Time (时光荏苒), The Season of Magnolia (黄桷兰的季节), Afternoon Stream of Consciousness (午后意识流), Hermit (隐居蟹), Mimosa (含羞草), Chorus of Death Knells (丧钟礼赞), Starfall (星陨) based on Anthony Bourdain’s story, Theatre (舞台剧), Montmartre (蒙马特呵), Rain Weaving (雨织), The Ocean Is Over There (大海在 那边) and Magnolia Blossom (辛夷花开) .

Illustrator Wei Tieng was commissioned to produce a series of five illustrations based on Li’s poems. Her whimsical artwork will be featured during the show and will be sold as a limited edition merchandise as well.

心声 Inner Thoughts, supported by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), will be performed entirely in Mandarin. Tickets are priced at RM44 (flat rate) for all shows. Purchase online via www.proticket.com.my or call 03 4047 9000. Strictly no over-the-counter sales.

klpac has comprehensive measures including compulsory mask-wearing, health screening, physical distancing measures, sanitisation and disinfection, visitor education, enabling a contactless experience (e-ticketing) and staff training. For the latest Covid-19 & SOP guide, go to http://bit.ly/klpac_covid19_updates.

The Actors Studio and klpac losses due to Covid-19 amount to RM2 million. Each ticket sold goes towards keeping them afloat and to pay their staff, artistes and crew. They have to raise RM3.3 million by December 2021 to stay afloat. The public is encouraged to be a part of their recovery by buying a ticket or making a donation via https://www.klpac.org/donations/.

Issued by: The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)

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