It’s been a while since we’ve had stage shows of any sort in KL but that’s about to change! The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre has opened back up its doors and is ready to bring the masses the best of live theatre, dance, music, community programmes, outreach initiatives and much more.
This bastion of the arts has been dealt a critical hit since Covid-19 arrived with the majority of shows cancelled or postponed until the end of the year. It was the first time in its 31-year history that the centre had to close up completely, as necessary as that was. For a non-profit like klpac, this is especially devastating and as of 6 May it recorded losses amounting to RM1.1 million.
There is however a light at the end of the tunnel and this month the centre will put on its first live show in 105 days with the third instalment of the popular Yesterday Once More series. Director Ian Chow is back at the helm and together with his crew, is ready to take audiences on a trip down memory lane featuring sounds of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
You’ll be whisked away to these eras as soon as you step into the Pentas 2 theatre which will be transformed into a cosy lounge setting complete with a bar manned by celebrity bartenders Joe Hasham OAM and Lawrence Selvaraj.
On the menu is everything from big band and swing to jazz and pop, with golden hits by the likes of Nancy Sinatra, Bee Gees, The Foundations, Doris Day, The Beatles and Barbara Streisand. Bringing to life the music will be a five-piece band consisting of many of the same musicians the previous two concerts had – Jing Xiuan (piano), Lee Hui Yin (keyboards), Coebar Abel (lead guitar), Alex Lee (percussion) and Iqbal R. (bassist).
The ensemble is completed by a line-up of singers that will add their harmonies to each song. These include Joel Wong, Lai Suk Yin, Omar Ali, Rachel Liu, Serene Chng and Vale V Wong.
Now more than ever klpac needs our help to raise funds and help keep it afloat – it is absolutely dependant on donations and sponsorship, which have already been dwindling over the years. All the proceeds from this concert will go directly towards this cause. But it’ll need much more than that to survive so if you would like to donate more, you can do so right here. Every little bit helps to chip away at the RM4.4 million operating expenses the Centre needs each year.
Yesterday Once More
Where Jalan Strachan off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Kuala Lumpur
When 22-26 July
Admission TBC
Tel 03 4047 9000
klpac.org