Randai Macbeth, widely regarded as one of Malaysia’s most talked-about Shakespeare productions, returns to the Experimental Theatre at the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (Aswara) on Jalan Tun Ismail in Kuala Lumpur from May 8–10.
The show, performed in Bahasa Malaysia, is an adaptation of the Bard's Macbeth, reimagined by director and playwright Norzizi Zulkifli as a cross-cultural work blending Minangkabau and Malay traditions with a Western classical text.
Randai, strongly associated with the Minangkabau communities of Negri Sembilan, is a traditional performance art originally from West Sumatra, Indonesia, that combines theatre, dance, music, and martial arts (silat) into a single storytelling form.
In May last year, Randai Macbeth, a production by Pusat Seni Pentas Tradisional (PuTRA), Aswara, won eight awards in the in the theatre category of the 20th Boh Cameronian Arts Awards.
Last month, Randai Macbeth had a sold-out run at the Esplanade Theatre Studio as part of Pesta Raya - Malay Festival of Arts 2026. It is also scheduled to be staged at Kamal Theatre and Academic in Kazan, Russia on June 15 and 16 as part of the Nauruz Theatre and Education Festival-Forum 2026.
Back in the spotlight
In Kuala Lumpur, the upcoming production is organised by PuTRA and the Aswara Alumni Association, in collaboration with the Faculty of Film, Theatre and Animation (FiTA), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), in conjunction with the Aswara "Buka Panggung Festival" set to be held from May 4-22.
PuTRA dean Mohd Kamarulzaman Taib, known as Che Kem, said the revival follows strong public demand after its 2024 debut at the Blackbox, Aswara, which drew attention from media, arts practitioners and theatre audiences.
In a recent Bernama report, Che Kem, also producer of Randai Macbeth, said the restaging deepens appreciation of traditional theatre while fostering knowledge exchange and collaboration between Aswara and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in advancing cultural heritage.
"This effort also opens opportunities to promote Malaysian arts on the international stage," he added.
At the same time, Che Kem noted that bringing traditional arts into contemporary settings remains challenging, shaped by shifting audience preferences and the growing influence of technology on how works are created and experienced.
He added that cultural arts are increasingly viewed as mere entertainment rather than expressions of intellect and civilisation, leading some to see them as serving little purpose beyond tourism and leisure.
“Randai Macbeth serves as a platform to present cultural arts in a way that connects with new audiences and today’s world,” he said.
The production features Che Kem as Macbeth, Juhara Ayub as Puan Macbeth and Amir Ameezan as Banquo. The cast also includes Rosman Ishak, Eliza Mustafa and Ijat Ashari as the witches, as well as Adika Zainal as King Duncan.
