Come listen to stories from the Nusantara through the voices of playwrights from Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore at the inaugural Nusantara Open Circle (NOC),a transnational programme that explores new writings of short scripts from playwrights in the region! Be the first to experience dramatised readings of three short plays in development by playwrights Aziz Azthar (Indonesia), Arief Hamizan (Malaysia) and Moli Mohter (Singapore). Each read will be accompanied by a feedback session where you can learn more about the artist and their craft while sharing your responses to their work.

End your evening with a spirited panel discussion involving the playwrights and representatives from Main Tulis Group, Kuala Lumpur-based collective Panas Panas Theatre and the Indonesia Dramatic Reading Festival. Be part of a nuanced discourse surrounding themes, resonances, and areas of interest for writers, makers and producers from the region. Nusantara Open Circle is a three-year programme and will continue engagement through open calls for new plays in development, and mentorships with some of the region’s most notable playwrights.

The plays will be in Bahasa Melayu, Bahasa Indonesia and English, with English surtitles. All discussions will be conducted in English. 

Attempt

Ayu decides to seek a bomoh’s help for her husband’s addiction to gambling. As this is her first time meeting a bomoh, she is feeling nervous.

The Dining Table

Scripted by Aziz Azthar
Performed by Filza Izzati, Nora Samosir, Rafaat Hamzah, Sani Hussin and Suhaili Safari

Celebrating her 80th birthday, Gadis holds a family dinner with her four children: Ruben, Nora, Wina, and Fajar. One by one, her children arrive, each with their own issues and problems. During dinner, they reminisce about past events centered around the old dining table — not always good memories, especially ones about their late father. When one of them suggests replacing the table with a new one, Gadia refuses, and a family secret emerges from the shadows. Will they end up understanding each other, or will they fall apart?

King Coconut Curry

Scripted by Arief Hamizan
Performed by Ghazali Muzakir, Gloria Tan, Melizarani T.Selva

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Akhir and Juwita sit in their small apartment, surrounded by the hum of a rapidly changing city. Their relationship is unravelling, but rather than confront the painful reality of their own disconnection, they spend the evening discussing politics and change.

On the other side of the city, in another time, a person meets an angel at a bank, who promises to introduce them to God. Over the course of the journey, they learn of a worrying future for the city.