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Caliban blends wayang kulit, traditional music and multicultural storytelling in bold new stage production
Masakini Theatre Company returns to the stage this August with Caliban, a bold reimagining of William Shakespeare’s The Tempest that places the classic tale within the cultural landscape of Nusantara.
Staged at the Black Box, Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC), the production combines Shakespeare’s exploration of power, colonialism, revenge and magic with Malaysian storytelling traditions, creating a theatrical experience that reflects the country’s multicultural identity.
Rather than presenting a conventional adaptation, Caliban incorporates elements of traditional Malay and Chinese performance arts, bringing together local acting traditions, live music and wayang kulit to tell the familiar story from a fresh perspective.
One of the production’s highlights is the involvement of renowned Kelantan wayang kulit dalang Mi Gajah Putih, who takes on the role of Prospero. Sabera Shaik stars as Caliban, while Wazi Radzi plays Ariel.
The production’s musical landscape is equally distinctive. Music director Loretta Tan performs on multiple instruments, including the gu zheng, gong and singing bowls, alongside Christine May Yong on gamelan. They are joined by wayang kulit musicians Piji Pok Mat and Mie Hailmie Wahab, who perform using traditional instruments such as the serunai, gendang, gedombak, kesi, canang and gong, highlighting the rich sounds of the Nusantara knob gong, or kelintangan, tradition.
Beyond the stage production, audiences can also attend a one-hour Sound Bath session on Aug 25 at 6pm, led by Tan. Designed as a meditative experience, the session invites participants to unwind through immersive soundscapes. Guests may choose to lie on mats provided inside the theatre or remain seated throughout the performance.
Masakini Theatre Company is also seeking sponsors for its Stage for Students initiative, which aims to introduce more young people to live theatre while encouraging an appreciation of Malaysia’s diverse performing arts traditions. Sponsorships begin from RM62.70 per student.
Caliban will be staged on Aug 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 8pm, Aug 22, 23, 29 and 30 at 3pm, with the Sound Bath session taking place on Aug 25 at 6pm at the Black Box, DPAC. Tickets are available via CloudJoi.
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