Penangpac to close curtains for good on Jan 15

GEORGE TOWN: The Performing Arts Centre of Penang (Penangpac) will close its theatres for good from Jan 15 after two crushing years of the pandemic.

Penangpac announced that The Actors Studio and Eastern & Oriental Bhd (E&O) mutually agreed to close it down as it is no longer financially sustainable.

On top of movement and event restrictions brought about by the pandemic, Penangpac added in a statement that "poor immediate outlook and recovery" is another reason for the decision.

Penangpac is a non-profit centre that has enthralled more than 250,000 audience members with almost 1,000 shows and events in the last 10 years, on top of teaching thousands of students of all ages about the arts.

Co-founders Datuk Dr Faridah Merican and Joe Hasham, in a joint statement, said: "This was not a decision we took lightly...but we must face the facts and reality."

Thanking E&O for housing Penangpac in the opulent Straits Quay seafront retail marina, they expressed hope that performing arts will continue to blossom in Penang and that The Actors Studio may someday return to Penang.