10 & 11 FEBRUARY 2018 // 8.30 PM  // KONGSI KL

LAYANG is an upcoming multimedia theatre performance that thematically explores the nature of migration, displacement, and isolation; both in its physical act and consequent psychological and spiritual implications, through a single performer-driven narrative. It acts as an attempt to communicate stories and contemporary issues affecting the human condition via a language familiar to the artists involved - tools of technology, movement and motion of the human body - to audiences. 

The performance is minimal in design and structure, yet also incorporates various theatrical elements such as physical theatre, shadow theatre, visual effects, virtual reality, and electronic soundscapes. By incorporating diverse mediums across the traditional-contemporary divide, a fluid, dynamic performance that explores and engages with both media and movement takes shape.

*featured photo by DST, for Kwang Tung Dance Company's Pandora Experimental Box.

*all other photos by the Main Wayang team.

MAIN WAYANG is a performing arts collective focused on exploring new ways of storytelling using multidisciplinary theatrical elements; seeking alternative ways to create a full theatre experience that employs minimal elements and a minimal production.

MAIN WAYANG consists of three principal members:

FAIRUZ SULAIMAN

Fairuz Sulaiman combines digital and analogue formats in his multidisciplinary practice, producing music videos for local bands, live video projections, animation for short films, designing visuals for stage using stop-motion, puppetry, hand-made masks, 3D animation and live video mixing. He conducted a research project on the usage of media in the performing arts in Japan, as a recipient of The Japan Foundation Asia Center Fellowship program.

SUDARSHAN CHANDRA KUMAR

Sudarshan Chandra Kumar is a musician. He has contributed vocals and live electronics to bands such as HKPT, T!T!T!, and Takdir. His live setup is comprised of loopers, synths and effects pedals which are used to create improvised soundscapes. A staple at local electronic and experimental music venue mainstays, he is also a committee member of the Kuala Lumpur Experimental Film, Video and Music Festival (KLEX) in his capacity as Technical Director.

AYAM FARED

Ayam Fared is a founding member of notable Malaysian theatre collective, Rumah Anak Teater, and is a prolific writer, director, artistic director and performer. He has been nominated as Most Promising Artist at the 2008 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. As the director of the play Short Eyes (2011), he was awarded the Best Director award at the 2012 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards.

Together, they have staged performances at the 2014 Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival, KLPAC and recently in 2017 at Pandora Experimental Box, Kwang Tung Dance Company.

When not performing, the collective acts as facilitators for a multimedia theatre workshop project they founded in 2015, called Sekolah Main Wayang, geared towards underprivileged youths.

Main Wayang believes strongly in making our performances accessible to the public. In keeping with that belief, the performance will not be ticketed and entrance will be free to create greater accessibility for a diverse set of audiences, and not solely for theatre-going arts enthusiasts. The performance will be staged at a non-black box space, where audiences are encouraged to move around the performance area, in a fluid, versatile setup.

Theatre is not just a form of art, but also serves as a platform to bring people together, creating a sense of community. A free, public theatre performance further strengthens this quality; by framing the performance within an approachable space, different members of society could come to watch the performance, regardless of social background or level of familiarity with art. This is what we aspire to do -- helping make theatre a shared experience for everyone.

Main Wayang is seeking supporters to finance the show. Crowdfunding allows us to not charge tickets to the show, which in turn allows us to share the results of our exploration with the public. To show our appreciation, we have lots of special rewards for your contribution!

As an alternative source of funding, crowdfunding adds a meaningful value to the project itself. Support from the community and peers helps create a sustainable environment for artists and creators to conceive and produce challenging work. It also widens the network of audiences and creators, and democratizes access to creativity; giving people the power to support independent projects they feel a connection to.

The funds sourced will help pay for production costs, which includes among others, projectors, set design, sound system, lights, and cast and crew.

Here's a breakdown of how the funds will be spent:

Thank you for supporting the performing arts!