The Australia Month @ KLPac

Instigated by klpac’s Artistic Director, Aussie lad Joe Hasham, the australia month @ klpac promises to be a truly exciting cross-cultural exchange of dance, music and drama that will showcase the diversity, originality and vibrance of Australian arts and talents.

To kick off the month, short play guru Alex Broun and prolific dancer-choreographer Kay Armstrong will be flying in to run theatre and dance workshops from 3 to 5 April. These workshops, focused on developing original short works, will pave the way for the return of Short+Sweet in July with an all-new dance festival on top of the 10-minute theatre festival.

Take a step back in time to revisit the classics with Jeff Kevin who will be conducting a Shakespearean workshop entitled From the Page and onto the Floor from 6 to 24 April. Kevin is best known for his role in hit TV series Number 69 alongside Joe Hasham. His 3-week Shakespeare boot camp will culminate in a public showcase of selected Shakespearean works performed by the participants from 24 to 26 April.

The Malaysian premiere of sensuous contemporary dance work Rasa Unmasked brings together the best talents from across the shores - Ramli Ibrahim of Sutra Dance Theatre, Malaysia, Anandavalli of Lingalayam Dance Company, Australia, and ethnomusicologist / composer Alex Dea. The performance which sheds new light on India’s most vital aesthetic theory will run from 7 to 12 April.

Also in line with the cross-cultural exchange theme, australia month @ klpac will feature a stage adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s short story The Diary of a Madman from 9 to 12 April. The riveting play, a result of an electrifying international collaboration between director Joe Hasham, actor Will Gluth, designer Mark Wager and assistant director Helena Foo, has been adapted and will be set in modern day Canberra.

klpac’s own community orchestra will be kicking off its 2009 season with a tribute to Australia’s music and songs. The klpac sinfonietta will join forces with local choir The Young KL Singers and several didgeridoo players to perform Aussie favourites like Waltzing Matilda, I Still Call Australia Home, Botany Bay, and Tie Me Down Kangaroo Sport while Joe recites famous Australian poetry.

The australia month @ klpac is set to be a major highlight in both klpac’s and The Australian High Commission’s 2009 arts programme and cultural offering.
Festival Overview

Presenters

The Australian High Commission & The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac)

Programme

Date
3 – 5 April
Short+Sweet 2009 (workshop)
- dance workshop conducted by Kay Armstrong
- writing / directing workshop conducted by Alex Broun studio

6 – 26 April
From the Page and onto the Floor (workshop & showcase)
- conducted by Jeff Kevin
Studio & Pentas 2

7 – 12 April

Rasa Unmasked (dance)
- collaboration between Ramli Ibrahim of Sutra Dance Theatre, Anandavalli of Lingalayam Dance Company and ethnomusicologist / composer Alex Dea
Pentas 1

9 – 12 April
The Diary of a Madman (play)
- directed by Joe Hasham, starring Will Gluth with Nicole Ann Thomas
Pentas 2

16 – 19 April
klpac Sinfonietta…in the style of Down Under (concert)
- with Young KL Singers & didgeridoo players
Pentas 1

Venue

The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Sentul Park, Jalan Strachan (Off Jalan Ipoh),
51100 Kuala Lumpur
(location map & public transport options available on www.klpac.org)

Box Office

03-4047 9000 / tickets@klpac.org