An actor in Hauntu’s ‘Seri Panggung Academy’ 'horror arts' experience, decked out in a Mak Yong costume. Photo: Hauntu
Malaysian traditional arts like Mak Yong, kuda kepang, and wayang kulit are steeped in mystery and superstition. Superdough, a local entertainment company, capitalises on Malaysians’ curiosity about these ancient practices.
Late last year, it launched its second Hauntu outlet at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara in Petaling Jaya, tapping into the fascination with haunted experiences.
Hauntu is set up as a fusion of immersive theatre and haunted attraction. It merges live performances, role-playing, and storytelling to immerse participants in a captivating mystery.
Throughout the experience, participants engage in tasks and interact with skilled actors to unravel the story’s secrets. What distinguishes Hauntu is its multiple endings, shaped by the decisions made by participants during the journey.
While the first Hauntu outlet at The LINC KL takes players back to the 1950s in an old haunted colonial-style hotel, the second outlet focuses on the dark side of Malaysian traditional arts.
At Hauntu The Curve, traditional Malaysian arts like wayang kulit, Mak Yong, and kuda kepang take centre stage in the experience. Photo: Hauntu
Set in the golden Sultanate era, participants step into the role of siblings searching for their long-lost mother, which leads them to the mysterious Seri Panggung Academy, where their mother was once a formidable dance student.
From there, you venture deeper into the academy and its lore, which draws inspiration from the 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.
Cultural heritage, with horror
How does Superdough craft a narrative that’s both entertaining and authentically Malaysian?
“The challenge is transforming familiar elements into horror,” explains Roshafiq Roslee, a senior producer at Superdough. His original pitch, the Seri Panggung Academy story, underwent six months of development to achieve this vision.
“I knew I wanted a premise set during the time of the ancient Malay kingdoms. I’m a fan of Malay epics, as both my parents were theatre practitioners, and I had a lot of exposure to these kinds of stories growing up,” he shares.
During the Hauntu experience, participants will learn traditional dance movements that are said to protect them against dark forces and evil spirits. Photo: Hauntu
Despite his background in acting and scriptwriting, Roshafiq sought guidance on cultural nuances.
“The horror is not coming from the traditional arts, but rather the characters and storyline. We wanted to make sure that we were respectful when it came to including Mak Yong and kuda kepang in the storyline,” he explains.
Superdough consulted with the traditional culture organisation Pusaka, receiving valuable input on protocol.
“While developing the Seri Panggung Academy experience, the Hauntu team reached out to us and asked if we could look through the script and provide comments and insights. It’s great that they took the initiative to approach us to ensure that their immersive experience does not misrepresent Malay cultural traditions in any way,” says Pauline Fan, Pusaka’s creative director.
“Pusaka is happy to collaborate with Hauntu in this way, and appreciate that they encourage their audiences to learn about and experience Malaysian cultural traditions in a different way,” she adds.
Supporting local artisans
To ensure authenticity, the team enlisted artisans from Pusaka to craft certain costume adornments for the actors, including the Mak Yong tanjak (traditional headgear) and lapik dada (chest cover), directly supporting traditional artisans in Kelantan.
“We prioritise local artisans for creating sets, props, and costumes over outsourcing internationally. However, locating them can be challenging since their work isn’t widely publicised,” explains Johnny Ong, Superdough’s co-founder overseeing operations and experience design.
In the 'Seri Panggung Academy' storyline, participants portray siblings on a quest to find their long-lost mother, a celebrated dancer from the academy. During the Hauntu experience, participants will learn traditional dance movements that are said to protect them against dark forces and evil spirits. Photo: Hauntu
“I discovered a Malaysian prop artist through a prominent Facebook group for prop artists worldwide, prompting me to reach out to him. This connection enabled us to tap into the local network of prop artists and collaborate with the right individuals,” he adds.
The company further bolsters the local performing arts sector by employing students and graduates in performing arts as actors.
“In Malaysia, there’s no shortage of talented actors, yet many struggle to find opportunities to showcase their skills. Platforms like Hauntu aim to provide them with a stage to express their talents,” says Ong.
