Malaysian theatre in 2021: five things you need to know

KLPac's successful run of 'Bangsawan – Hikayat Si Miskin Menjadi Raja' this month, with a 100-strong team, showed that major theatre productions can be done in a safe environment with pandemic precautions given the upmost priority. Photo: KLPac

In another year severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, the theatre and performing arts scene in Malaysia barely had six months to work on any meaningful recovery programmes, let alone plan ahead for major shows. The various lockdowns meant the performing arts calendar was yet again disrupted, with venues left in the dark while issues such as appealing for SOP-compliant filming/recording theatre show permits dragged on with the authorities for months.

Yet again, online shows – when available – were mostly relied upon to keep theatre activities going.