The cast of 'Trilogi Bulan' (from left) Hazzy, Nik and Sunio will take on multiple roles in the sci-fi theatre production, performed in Bahasa Malaysia at KLPac from Sept 12-15. Photo: KLPac
In a future scarred by the ravages of unchecked automation and relentless warfare, Earth becomes uninhabitable, forcing mankind to seek refuge and resources on the moon.
These lunar outposts, established under the powerful "Bulan Corporation", seem like humanity’s last hope. Yet, the very same problems that led to Earth's downfall – greed, corruption, and exploitation –begin to surface in these colonies, threatening to repeat history in the cold, desolate expanse of space.
This dystopian vision comes to life in Trilogi Bulan, a sci-fi theatre show that promises a journey into a dark, foreboding future. It will be staged at KLPac's Indicine space from Sept 12-15, offering audiences a return to the acclaimed Orang Bulan from 2021, alongside two brand-new chapters: Penakluk Bulan and Pemusnah Bulan.
In a single sitting, viewers seeking a futuristic narrative this Malaysia Day weekend will be drawn into a gripping tale of human ambition, survival, and the enduring cycles of destruction that reverberate through time and space.
This show – presented in Bahasa Malaysia – is part of the Kembali Ke Pangkuan series this year, produced by The Actors Studio Foundation.
Into the future
Directed by Christopher Ling, The Actors Studio’s associate artistic director, and written by Penang-based playwright Yusof Bakar, Trilogi Bulan is an ambitious 130-minute sci-fi saga, complete with two 10-minute intermissions.
Ling points out that full-length Bahasa Malaysia plays with sci-fi themes are uncommon in the local theatre scene, and he wanted to make this genre more accessible to a wider audience.
'Trilogi Bulan' actors (from left) Nik, Hazzy, Sunio, playwright Yusof and director Ling are set to take theatregoers to the 'moon'. Photo: KLPac
"Orang Bulan played to full houses in April 2021, which led to the decision to continue building on the same universe and characters," says Ling.
This new production features an entirely fresh cast compared to the earlier Orang Bulan production, including Nik Waheeda, Hazzy Alzeeq, and Sunio Rushairi in leading roles, while Aidil Rosli lends his voice to a key off-stage character.
“Orang Bulan was written to explore the idea of Resignation Syndrome in a sci-fi setting. It's a mysterious illness found commonly in asylum-seekers or children who have faced traumatic events. This made us want to explore the connection between humans and their homeland,” adds Ling.
Playwright Yusof (left) and director Ling ready to take theatregoers to outer space in 'Trilogi Bulan'.
Alongside urgent issues like Resignation Syndrome, climate change, and the increasing dominance of AI (artificial intelligence), the cast also explores themes of familial love.
"Penakluk Bulan talks about the potential threat of AI, while Pemusnah Bulan is about the uncertainties humans face in the future. There are lots of promises that AI will ease our burden, but we've been warned that technology will cost our freedom and enslave us. Our future is so dark and uncertain as long as we do nothing," says Yusof, who works as a cultural officer at the School of Arts, Universiti Sains Malaysia.
It was only after the premiere of Orang Bulan that Ling and Yusof decided to expand the story into a trilogy of interconnected plays. While the plays aren’t directly related, they all exist within the same universe.
For Yusof, this upcoming series also marks his first full-length theatre debut at KLPac.
Bulan Corporation
"The play centres around 'Bulan Corporation,' connecting the characters across all three installments. Set in different timelines, the characters hold various roles within the corporation. Each play is deliberately intertwined, forming a cohesive trilogy, with every story offering a distinct perspective and meaning." says Yusof.
The four actors play multiple roles in this trilogy, offering differing perspectives from colonies on the moon, the Bulan Corporation entity, and the struggles of a rebellion army.
In Orang Bulan, Luna and her son Nila live in a lunar colony, where Nila works as a miner and Luna as a cleaner. When Bulan Corporation announces full automation, making their jobs redundant, Luna refuses to leave, sparking a conflict that reveals her true motives.
“To help me with the play, I familiarised myself with the references made in the script and binged on sci-fi and dystopian movies. I do feel that this is a genre that we (actors) should explore more on stage as it is a perfect setting to let our creativity shine,” says Nik, who plays Luna.
Ling reveals that Orang Bulan is his personal pick in this trilogy.
"It is my favourite because it clearly shows the impact of macro-level decisions on a micro level, specifically between a mother and son," says the director.
Meanwhile, in Penakluk Bulan, Tsuki, the owner of Bulan Corporation, faces opposition from her father Qamar after she decides to automate the moon’s mining operations with AI. The conflict between father and daughter brings back memories of their life together. However, a larger issue arises when an AI rebellion threatens to destroy the moon.
"Honestly, memorising the lines was challenging, especially with the technical aspects of the sci-fi genre. But through this experience, I encourage the audience to dive into sci-fi – it pushes us to think outside the box and confront ideas we don't typically encounter," says Sunio, who plays Qamar.
Finally, Pemusnah Bulan takes place hundreds of years after an AI rebellion, where Inyanga, a rebel against the corporations kidnaps Fengari, the Chief Financial Officer of Bulan Corporation. Without knowing Inyanga's motive, Fengari is shocked to learn about the impending destruction of the moon.
Hazzy, who portrays Inyanga, believes that sci-fi themes are increasingly relevant as our world evolves at a rapid pace. The genre's exploration of futuristic concepts and technological advancements resonates deeply with the changes unfolding in contemporary life.
"Sci-fi plays provide a unique space for exploration, where both actors and audiences can dive into futuristic themes, ethical dilemmas, and complex characters. The mix of imagination and reality sparks meaningful conversations about society, technology, and the human experience," he says.
Trilogy Bulan is showing at Indicine, KLPac from Sept 12-15.
