The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) welcomes theatregoers to its new season with the raw drama of the Her Story and His Story series, its first in-house shows in a busy calendar (where over 50 shows have been scheduled).
This year, KLPac promises a programme of rediscovery and reconnecting, and what better way than to kick off proceedings than with new voices and 20 monologues based on real-life experiences of ordinary Malaysians. Her Story and His Story started as an online playwriting project helmed by Fa Abdul during the pandemic in 2021, with 20 new writers (aged 13 to 55) auditioned and given workshop basics.
“I was working with PenangPac at the time and we had planned to pool these stories together and stage them when the theatre reopened. Unfortunately PenangPac had to be closed down in the midst of the project but I am glad The Actors Studio and KLPac agreed to collaborate and give life to the stories,” says Fa, a theatre director-playwright-writer.
Presented in two installments, Her Story (Jan 12-15) starts the series with 12 monologues touching on themes of the human condition and femininity, followed by His Story (Feb 23-26), which includes eight monologues on self-discovery, sacrifice and love in all its different forms.
The Pentas 2 stage at KLPac is ready for Her Story, featuring a diverse cast and writing line-up.
Fa Abdul (middle) hopes that 'Her Story' and 'His Story' will speak to all of us and help initiate conversations about things that matter but are often not discussed. Photo: KLPac
"Her Story brings to light real 12 stories about women striving for freedom, rising above challenges, fighting mental health issues, meeting family expectations, falling in love and finding self worth," elaborates Fa.
The stories – in English and Bahasa Malaysia – for this weekend's Her Story run are Rollercoaster by Oti T, My Dad Was Never a Doctor! by Binnu, Bukan Semua Perlu Cerita by Dalela, My Blessed Unrest by Dev M, A Single Pringle by Bina K, The Unexpected Moments by Asmaak, Red Lipsticks by AC Wong, Di Sebalik Tirai Sakit Jiwa by Fatih Nuur, A Letter To Death by Angelina K, Kontradiksi by Aurora Borealis, Brida by Livaanya Sivarajah and Curls by Anussha Kumar-Lee.
Life, a good place to start
According to Fa, the 20 stories featured across both showcases are not fictional.
"They are not like a novel or a short story we read in magazines. The stories are part of someone's life. They are pretty diversified, some are comedic, enlightening, emotional, thought-provoking and yes, scandalous too!" she says.
"The themes touch on different elements of the human condition, such as regrets, love, loneliness, mental health, broken family, sexuality, racism, forced conversion and so on - but one theme that binds everything is 'acceptance'. It just goes to show how we as humans, just want to be ourselves and love for the person we are without any set of expectations,” she adds.
Mardiana Ismail takes on 'Kontradiksi, a theatre piece written by Aurora Borealis, which tackles the issue of marital pressure on women. Photo: KLPac
All of the stories were written by the people who experienced them, providing a first-hand perspective of this part of their lives. On the KLPac stage, a group of actors will present these stories to the audience.
“These stories are relevant to all of us ... they are raw, genuine and precious. Ultimately, I wish the audience would be able to see that while our journey and experiences may differ, we all go through the same ups and downs in life. I hope these stories will be able to bond us together as a society who understands each other better and are kinder to each other,” says Fa.
She believes a good theatre production will get audiences talking, even after the show has ended.
“I hope the audience will initiate conversations and dialogues with their own social circles on the many issues raised by the show. In our conservative society, most of the issues are regarded as taboo and are swept under the carpet.
"We hold on to our beliefs that ‘one does not wash one’s dirty linens in public’. Having dialogues about issues that matter and normalising such dialogue will do all of us great justice, not only in empowering us but also in developing us as a society,” she notes.
Her Story and His Story are presented by The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat and KLPac in collaboration with Big Nose Productions.
Her Story (Jan 12-14, 8pm; Jan 15, 3pm) and His Story (Feb 23-25, 8pm; Feb 26, 3pm) will play at Pentas 2, Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac), off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Sentul in KL. More info here.
KLPac - 'Her Story' theatre show
Theatre actor Nephi Shaine will be performing a piece titled 'Rollercoaster', written by teenager Oti T. It explores the complex nature of mother-daughter relationships. Photo: KLPac
Carolyn Chow, one of the performers in 'Her Story', will be presenting A.C. Wong's 'Red Lipstick' story about navigating a religious upbringing and finding love. Photo: KLPac
'Bukan Semua Perlu Cerita', written by Dalela and presented by Vio (in pic), is a tale of a bright student who is undecided about the path she should take. Photo: KLPac
Mardiana Ismail takes on 'Kontradiksi, a theatre piece written by Aurora Borealis, which tackles the issue of marital pressure on women. Photo: KLPac
Fa Abdul (middle) hopes that 'Her Story' and 'His Story' will speak to all of us and help initiate conversations about things that matter but are often not discussed. Photo: KLPac
