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Molek FMGeorge Town Festival 2014
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Taking place this coming August, the George Town Festival is back to offer a spectacular month-long showcase of theatre, music, dance, film, fashion, food and photography. From top-notch performances to imaginative cross-cultural collaborations as well as compelling public installations, festival highlights this year include 2 Houses, Circus Circus, Hai Ki Xin Lor, Play, Rising, Ramayana, Rhythmic Space: a Pause of Breath, Trolleys and The Kitchen.
The George Town Festival traces back to when George Town was first listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It was only two years after that the festival saw its inception as an effort to celebrate the town’s heritage as well as promote Penang’s arts and entertainment scene. Providing a stage for local and international artistic exchange, the annual festival brings together different artistic communities based here and abroad. Now in its fifth year, what can be expected from the festivities offered is a fantastic feast for the senses.
2 HOUSES
2 Houses —a historical drama based on facts and interviews— is the product of award-winning filmmaker and fellow Penangite Lim Yu-Beng. Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, the play follows the lives and losses of those who witnessed the birth of Penang’s identity. Performed by a stellar international cast, spectators will be catching talented faces from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and the UK.
Date Thursday 28 August ’14 – Sunday 31 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-11.20pm
Venue Soonstead Mansion
Tickets RM150 (sold out)
HAI KI XIN LOR (YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME)
Hai Ki Xin Lor (You Mean The World To Me) comes from the minds of award-winning directors Saw Teong Hin and Jason Ong. The Penang Hokkien play follows Sunny, a filmmaker who makes a film about his family based on an incident from his past without their knowledge. The confrontation that ensues upon his sister finding out provides Sunny with the closure that’s been much needed; that is the idea behind Hai Ki Xin Lor.
Date Thursday 28 August ’14 – Sunday 31 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-10pm
Venue Khoo Kongsi Temple
Tickets RM20-RM80
PLAY
Image Koen Broos
The concept of Play lies in the notion of play-acting and the games people play, a performance piece that constructs itself around tales of love and separation. Starring Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Shantala Shivalingappa, the stage becomes a canvas as their rhythmic movements will paint a beautiful pattern for audiences to get lost in.
Date Thursday 14 August ’14 – Friday 15 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.45pm
Venue Dewan Sri Pinang
Tickets RM20-RM200
RAMAYANA
Ramayana is a Cantonese opera-style rendition of an old classical Indian literary tale. Adapted by China’s Nanning City Theatre Academy, this Cantonese opera version of Ramayana will see a colourful and stylish take of the classical Indian tale that has had a remarkable influence on Southeast Asian theatre.
Date Sunday 24 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.15pm
Venue MPPP Town Hall
Tickets RM20-RM60
RISING
If you’re a fan of dance, Akaash Odedra will be exploring different processes and aesthetics to create a new personal language in Rising. The four pieces — choreographed by some of the best in contemporary choreography including Aakash himself — draw inspiration from pattern-making, animalistic communication, light forms and thunder storms. The result will be an exceptional showcase of the performer’s physical and emotional dexterity.
Date Friday 15 August ’14 – Saturday 16 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.50pm
Venue Penangpac
Tickets RM40-RM80
RHYTHMIC SPACE: A PAUSE FOR BREATH
Rhythmic Space: A Pause for Breath is the name of Korean musical duo Ji Ha Park and JungminSeo who will be performing at the festival. The two musicians have been composing and performing their own compositions on traditional Korean instruments like piri, saenghwang, yanggeum and gayageum since 2007. Their music is best described as “minimal members, maximum effect,” and their performance sees them employing both musicianship and creativity.
Date Saturday 2 August ’14 – Sunday 3 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.50pm
Venue MPPP Town Hall
Tickets RM20-RM60
THE KITCHEN
The Kitchen is noted as an experiential, multi-sensory feast. The theatre performance revolves around the idea of how we make relationships palatable to each other. Taking inspiration from the teachings of philosopher Rumi, what can be expected off The Kitchen is a unique performance blend of contemporary and folk.
Date Friday 22 August ’14 – Saturday 23 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.45pm
Venue Dewan Sri Pinang
Tickets RM20-RM200
TROLLEYS
Trolley is best summed up as “part dance, part ballet, part outdoor spectacle.” What makes Trolley special is its unusual but original and inventive use of shopping carts in their performances, tuned to a specially commissioned score by Sydney’s Nick Whales.
Date Sunday 31 August ’14
Time 6pm-6.30pm
Venue MPPP Town Hall
Tickets Free Entry
CIRCUS CIRCUS
Circus Circus will see a spectacle of international performers strutting their stuff under one roof. The event will include dazzling performances by Finland’s Race Horse Company, Japan’s Wrecking Crew Orchestra as well as China’s Shanghai Starlight Acrobatic Troupe.
Date Friday 1 August ’14 – Tuesday 5 August ’14
Time 8.30pm-9.45pm
Venue Dewan Sri Pinang
Tickets RM20-RM200
With all these events to come and more, this year’s George Town Festival will be a fun cultural fiesta you wouldn’t want to miss. For more details on the event, visit the George Town Festival’s official website.
