Becoming King - the pakyung revisited

Becoming King - the pakyung revisited is a full-length contemporary dance performance that will attempt to create a new benchmark both with style (movement vocabulary) and substance (content). It is an experimental work where the points of embarkation or exploration are the questions: what does it means to become the pakyung? What qualities does it take to qualify for the role of the king? 

In the traditional theatre performance of Makyung, the Pakyung is the lead character who must be able to sing, dance and act – it requires special qualities and in Malaysia only a very few have risen to the heights of being the acclaimed pakyung. Khatijah Awang is one such icon who was proclaimed National Arts Laureate in 1999. The Pakyung is the leader, the counsellor and the King (often played by a woman). 

The performance is based on the concept of the preparation required to assume this role/character as a metaphor, and attempts to create the understanding of the process to acquire the skills to achieve these heights – to become the best. The performance subsequently searches for meaning and relevance of this character drawn from the traditional theatre in today’s context.  

Becoming King - the pakyung revisited aspires to provide an engaging theatrical encounter that will also possess a strong social message. The artistic vision is to create production that is world-class, located in Malaysia that is able to resonate with both local and global audiences. Without giving away too much, the performance will include an interactive section with the audience – making every night a different performance! The post-performance question and answer session is vital to gauge and analyse these audience responses.  

This is the first full-length (approximately 60 minutes in duration) by Joseph Gonzales since his last Awas in 2003. The choreography has been a collaborative effort with the dancers, who are from Aswara, with new commissioned music by Ng Chor Guan, and Media design by Jazmi Jamal. The performance will include an interactive section with audience participation. It promises to be an engaging evening of dance.

The production is presented by ASWARA (The Faculty of Dance), and supported by the Krishen Jit-Astro Fund and Sime Darby Foundation.

Venue: Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC)

Dates: 11-14 December 2014

Time: 8.30 p.m.

Tickets: RM 30.00 (adults) & RM 15.00 (students). Please call (+6) 03-4065 0001, 4065 0002 or email: senitari@gmail.com