The KL Arts Scene

There’s always a love/hate relationship that comes to mind when defining a city – especially one like Kuala Lumpur. No city is complete without its fair share of absurd traffic jams, huge way-oversized malls and high-rise buildings. KL might be a little back forward when compared to some of the largest cities in the world in many aspects (like transportation for example) but surprisingly plays host to a very liberal and active arts scene as I first discovered upon moving here. It might not be as vast and visible as countries like Australia but with a little effort you’ll be able to dig out the latest performances and acts to hit center stage.

KLUE Magazine for example, which is published on a monthly basis, will provide you with some of the latest gigs, performances, and theatre acts. For you cost conscious peeps you’ll also be able to view upcoming events at www.klue.com.my. Other notable website worth bookmaking are www.kakiseni.com and http://www.theactorsstudio.com.my

One thing sorely lacking in the arts scene however is the availability of proper platforms for performers and actors alike. Actor’s Studio Bangsar is a decent enough venue for most events – with a modest sized stage, proper seating and is pretty well maintained, however it’s just isn’t equipped for big events. One of my favorite venues has to be KLPac, which is truly the best art theatre in the country. The building itself is quite an interesting sight to behold – well decorated and classy, and yet surprisingly well equipped with latest equipment and facilities.

Funding seems to be a major problem when it comes to the art’s scene in Malaysia, there’s very little aid from the government to push the art’s scene further (especially the English art’s scene), which is sad considering the amount of talent in the country. Somehow the word “seni” is interpreted very differently from the word “arts” by the government.

Generally, the Asian mind-sets have to evolve to accept arts as a form of entertainment. People generally associate anything with the art scene to be typically boring stuff more suited for upper-class socially conscious brats and this is major misconception. Everyone has their fair choice of genre or preference – for example, I’m a big fan of comedy, stand-ups acts as well as orchestra performances and less of a soap opera or drama fan – hence I naturally prefer attending events more suited to my interest.

There are of course other benefits of attending a live stage performance besides just entertainment value and that natural high feeling of being part of a live show. As I’ve come to notice. In a country like Malaysia, where censorship rains supreme, the local art’s scene provides escapism from the red lines and boldly traverses on daring topics, social ills and prejudice without the restrictions of our national television and film. I’ve been to shows where insults we’re made openly to famous politicians and factions of the government (in an amusing light of course) and thankfully none of them have ended up in ISA – just yet.  Definitely a refreshing experience from the “Umum” nonsense we’re used to on TV and Radio.

So the next time you’re wondering what to do on a lazy weekend, ditch aside your plans for clubbing or catching movie at the cinema and take a sway from the norm by supporting your local arts scene.