Wan Esuriyanti (wearing red jacket) with the theatrical production cast and teenagers from Chow Kit Foundation who form the ensemble.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, a wastewater company is presenting a theatre production next month.
The production by Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd takes audiences through the murky depths of sewerage treatment, portraying it as a gritty yet vital service essential for safeguarding both human health and the environment.
The theatrical experience will be brought to life through a collaborative effort between Chow Kit Foundation (YCK) and Wayang Kitchen (WK).
YCK is a local NGO that works with at-risk children and teenagers while WK is a company specialising in giving restaurant diners an immersive experience during dinner shows.
At a press conference, IWK’s corporate communications head Wan Esuriyanti Wan Ahmad said the production stemmed from a poem she had penned during the Covid-19 movement control order in a tribute to the operations team who man the company’s 24-hour plants.
“The poem, which is dedicated to these brave and unsung heroes, will be read out during the show,” said Wan Esuriyanti.
She said the show was part of the company’s efforts to educate consumers on IWK’s role in the preservation of public health and the environment.
Directed by WK co-founder Razif Hashim, the cast will be led by Atilia Haron, Phraveen Arikiah and Alfred Loh. The production will feature an ensemble of 10 teenagers from YCK.
At the press conference, Razif said the production would be supported by his crew.
He said he had to do extensive research on the matter, right down to how microbes in sewerage treatment play a part in breaking down human waste from our toilets.
Razif said he also learned about how people cause extensive damage when they flush things like diapers and sanitary pads down toilets, causing pipes to clog.
As the pipes are mostly situated underground, the cost to rectify these clogs is very high, he said.
“This will be highlighted in the show,” he added.
Likening the show to a visit at a science centre and amusement park, Razif said audiences would not only be spectators as they would also have a role to play.
“The audience will be the ‘new IWK employees’ going through an orientation at a sewerage plant on their first day at work,” he said.
Leading the audience through this immersive experience will be 10 teenagers from YCK.
“They will play the role of sewerage plant workers, donning personal protective equipment and uniforms as they lead the audience through a show that will also feature song and dance,” said Razif.
Rehearsals with the teenagers will be carried out by Razif and his crew at KL Krash Pad, an activity centre set up by the NGO on Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Kuala Lumpur.
“For this 60-minute play, we are anticipating 60 hours of rehearsals just for the participants from YCK. Rehearsals will take place after school hours,” he added.
The show features five songs, and its musical elements will be directed by theatre practitioner and performing arts coach Dominic Lucien Luk.
The show will be staged at IWK Eco Park @ Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur, on June 22 at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at RM100 each and can be purchased through CloudJoi.
Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit YCK.
