This July, Malaysian audiences are invited to experience Being Carried, a powerful and intimate theatre production that places disabled, Deaf and neurodivergent (OKU) artists at the centre of the stage.
More than just a performance, Being Carried is a bold artistic statement that seeks to reignite public interest in inclusive arts while encouraging audiences to actively support the work through ticket purchases and advocacy.
Presented as an international collaboration between Malaysia and the United Kingdom, Being Carried blends monologues, movement, soundscapes, and visual storytelling into a deeply human exploration of care, connection, and survival.
The work reflects on how we carry and are carried — physically, emotionally, and metaphorically — from the moment we are born to the end of life. Through humour, vulnerability, and striking honesty, the performance reveals the lived experiences of disabled communities in Malaysia, drawing from grassroots engagement to bring forward stories that are rarely shared in mainstream theatre.
An OKU-led creative performance
What makes Being Carried especially significant is that it is created and performed by OKU artists themselves, offering an authenticity and urgency that challenges conventional narratives around disability. The production is written, directed and ‘dramaturged‘ by internationally acclaimed playwright Kaite O’Reilly, a leading figure in disability arts whose work has reshaped inclusive performance globally.
Her collaborators include Ho Lee Ching, a neurodivergent and disabled theatre-maker and founder of pioneering Teater Untuk Semua, alongside Wheelsmith, a musician and international wheelchair rugby player whose impact on sports and the arts challenges stereotypes.
Guest performers include Gejaletchumi Murugaya, a Deaf BIM song-singer and poet, and Ammar Karim, a Deaf dancer and choreographer whose work bridges movement and music. The creative access of the production is further supported by Calysta Tay, a Malaysian Sign Language interpreter, ensuring that accessibility is embedded not just as a feature, but as a core artistic language.
As an intimate chamber piece, Being Carried continues the legacy of Kaite O’Reilly’s pioneering disability-led works, building on her internationally recognised dramaturgical models that centre Deaf and disabled perspectives. This production is an Unlimited International Partner Award 2025 commission made possible thanks to funding from the British Council, reflecting a strong global commitment towards advancing disability arts and inclusive storytelling.
Working in collaboration with W Productions and supported by The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPAC) as venue partner, the production stands as part of a growing movement to reimagine the performing arts landscape—one that is more inclusive, representative, and reflective of diverse human experiences.
The where and when
The production will be staged at Pentas 2, KLPAC, for a limited run from 24 – 26 July 2026, with only three performances in total. Audiences will have a rare opportunity to encounter a work that is both artistically innovative and socially urgent. Early responses from previous sharings have described the piece as “mind-changing,” “empowering,” and “deeply moving,” with audiences noting its ability to open hearts and challenge perceptions.
At a time when opportunities for OKU artists in Malaysia remain limited, Being Carried serves as both a performance and a platform—amplifying voices that deserve to be heard while advocating for a more equitable arts ecosystem.
By attending the show, audiences are directly contributing to the visibility, sustainability, and future of inclusive theatre in the region.
The production is currently open to both cash and in-kind sponsorships, welcoming organisations and partners who share a commitment to accessibility and inclusive storytelling to come on board.
In addition, companies or individuals who wish to sponsor members of the OKU community to attend the performance are strongly encouraged to get involved, helping to ensure that the work reaches the very communities it represents. Interested parties may reach out via email at wproductionsmy@gmail.com to explore collaboration opportunities.
Being Carried is more than a show — it is an invitation to witness, to feel, and to support a shift in how stories are told and who gets to tell them. Tickets are now available via CloudJoi.
Do stay tuned to Hype Malaysia for more updates!
The post Being Carried: A Powerful OKU-Led Theatre Experience Challenging How We See Disability appeared first on Hype Malaysia.
0 comments:
Post a Comment