UNDER the night sky at Dataran Merdeka and from behind an illuminated sheet, a shadow puppet performance captivates the audience.
“Wayang Women Live in Dataran” transformed the open-air stage into a contemporary theatre by fusing light, sound and storytelling.
As the story unfolded in silhouette, a puppeteer behind the screen worked speedily to switch between characters, using classic techniques like flickering, stretching and dissolving to bring them alive.
Accompanied by live music and narration from an ensemble, puppets entered and exited the stage.
The addition of humour resulted in the show successfully entertaining the crowd sitting on the ground.
The performance was held as part of KL Festival 2026.
Gallery
A scene involving multiple characters at once.
Shadows of multiple characters overlap as a scene plays out during the performance.. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
The puppeteer has to make quick swaps between characters during narration.
Performers coordinate movements and cues in the tight space behind the screen. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
Wayang kulit figures queued up and at hand.
Wayang kulit figures ready ready at a moments notice behind the screen during the performance.— LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
(Top) The audience reacting to the show.
MUST USE Viewers react as the performance unfolds on the illuminated screen.— LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
(Right) Light behind a wayang kulit prop casting a shadow on the screen.
A raised figure catches the light, projecting its form onto the screen. — LEONG WAI YEE/The Star
