Istana Budaya all set to roll out its 2021 season

For its 2021 season, Istana Budaya has a total of 24 performances lined up until November. Photo: Bernama

After having its 2020 season disrupted due to the pandemic, Istana Budaya is all set to welcome back live audiences with its 2021 programme.

The performing arts venue’s new season was launched recently at the Panggung Sari hall, with Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri in attendance.

Istana Budaya was forced to postpone or cancel 32 shows since March last year, including several big shows such as Sleeping Beauty By St Petersburg Theatre Russian Ballet, Puteri Gunung Ledang The Musical and Matilda The Musical.

Istana Budaya did manage to squeeze in three musical concerts (Konsert New Normal, Lambang Sari Series and Colours Of Malaysia) in July and September during the recovery movement control order (MCO) period.

“I am pleased and the whole team is thrilled to return to live productions once again. The selection of the programme for 2021 was implemented based on the objectives and mission, among others, to revitalise the performing arts industry affected by Covid-19 and to re-elevate the traditional arts, ” says Istana Budaya’s director general Zaiton Md Desa.

“I am optimistic that we can accomplish our planning especially with the support from the ministry, ” she adds.

Zaiton states that strict public health and safety SOPs will be put in place at the Istana Budaya premises.

For its 2021 season, Istana Budaya has a total of 24 performances lined up until November. It will start with Festival Gamelan Gema Gangsa in June.

Other shows include Teater Bangsawan Raja Bersiong (July), Konsert Tanah Airku Bersama Orkestra Simfoni Kebangsaan (August), Wayang Bersama Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia (August), Genius Seni Muzik 10th Anniversary Concert (September) and Dramatari Bakawali (November).

For now, theatres and performing arts venues in the states under the conditional MCO are only allowed to have a 50% capacity audience.

Kuala Lumpur is still under the conditional MCO until April 12, and to allow performing arts shows (under Government guidelines), Panggung Sari’s seating capacity has been reduced from 1,414 seats to 505.

More details: Istana Budaya