KLPac takes viewers backstage with relaxed documentary series about the arts

Ever wondered how a stage play is put together? How does a theatremaker create "magic" with a show's diverse cast and to find a connection with the audience?

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre’s (KLPac) ongoing mini documentary series Talking About gives viewers an exclusive look into the inner workings of the creative minds behind the performing arts.

In the most current episode, viewers can find out how one of Malaysia's top scenographers Yusman Mokhtar, winner of Best Costume Design (Kandang, 2018) and Best Set Design (Paper Crane, 2012), develops the appearance of a stage design.

Hosted by KLPac’s co-founder and artistic director Joe Hasham, the 12-part online series streams (free) every fortnight on Saturdays at 8.30pm on KLPac’s Youtube channel.

Hasham says the idea for Talking About emerged during various meetings with his KLPac team as it coped with the lockdown and reopening phases.

“Talking About is one of the good things to come out of the MCO. We were wondering what we could do in place of stage performances. I’ve always wanted to let our theatre audiences know what our people do and why they do it,” says Hasham, 70.

“So I thought a series of mini documentaries would be an ideal way of sharing our experiences with, not only our theatre audience, but the general public,” he adds.

Talking About premiered last month with KLPac’s co-founder Datuk Faridah Merican, who talked about her love affair with William Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet and the various times she helmed this work as an actor and director.

Episode two featured Omar Ali, actor, director, writer, set designer, and performer, talking about adaptations. He is best known for his critically-acclaimed adaptations of Kandang based on George Orwell’s Animal Farm, and Dato’ Seri, based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth.