Immersive horror experience reveals 'dark side' of traditional performing arts

A group of Mak Yong performers on stage at the Hauntu The Curve, which aims to combine the immersive entertainment experience with genuine theatrical chills that are based on Malaysian traditional art forms. Photo: Hauntu The Curve

Do you enjoy getting spooked out of your mind? Test your mettle at Hauntu, an immersive horror series created by entertainment company Superdough, which now has a new thrilling experience at The Curve (in Petaling Jaya) inspired by some of Malaysia’s oldest performing arts.

Hauntu The Curve is set in the golden Sultanate-era, where participants are asked to put themselves in the shoes of courageous siblings on a perilous hunt for their long-lost mother. After discovering a cryptic note, they are led to the mysterious Seri Panggung Academy.

Along the way, they will uncover chilling truths and encounter a formidable and terrifying presence, all against the backdrop of a distinctly Malaysian narrative that draws inspiration from the art traditions of kuda kepang and wayang kulit, as well as the allure of traditional Malay performances and attire, particularly the spellbinding beauty of Mak Yong ensembles.

The front hall of the Hauntu The Curve immersive experience, where visitors will find spooky thrills and get up close to traditional art forms. Photo: Hauntu The Curve

The 60-minute immersive entertainment experience takes creative storytelling and incorporates cutting-edge technology and meticulous engineering to produce a genuine theatrical fear experience that pays homage to Malaysia's vibrant cultural heritage, blending together tradition and innovation.

Adding to the experience are the professional actors, who skillfully interact with participants and respond dynamically to their choices, emotions and actions, creating a fully immersive and personalised adventure based on the choices made.

"We wanted to create an experience that truly immersed our audience in the chilling world of horror, while also celebrating the richness of Malaysian cultural heritage," said Johnny Ong Jenn Uei, Hauntu co-founder and Head of Operations and Experience Design.

In a darkened space, the wayang kulit storylines and slow gamelan rhythms might just be a new kind of horror waiting to entertain thrill-seekers. Photo: Hauntu The Curve

He added that they collaborated with local cultural organisations and traditional arts experts, such as Pusaka, to ensure authenticity and genuine reverence for Malaysia's traditional legacy.

Pusaka also arranged some of the costume accessories with one of its artisan communities in Kelantan.

“This significant collaboration infuses the attraction with the essence of the country's folklore and traditional storytelling, enveloping guests in an awe-inspiring journey that not only sends shivers down their spines, but also pays heartfelt homage to the vibrant tapestry of the country's cultural legacy,” said Ong.

First launched in 2018, Hauntu's first outlet is at The LINC KL, which offers a haunted house experience set in an crumbling old hotel that was built during the colonial era of the 1950s.