The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat presents the fourth instalment of its experimental dance series. KonTra : Yuèguāng 月光 features six dance creations inspired by Chinese culture and tradition from 24th to 27th October 2024 at Pentas 2, klpac.
Ongoing since 2022, KonTra is a nod towards our past in an attempt to keep our traditional arts alive as well as a big wave to the future of Malaysian dance. Each edition, curated by Zhafir Muzani, features a different theme and invited choreographers get the opportunity to inject creativity and innovation into traditional dance. Past editions have featured works inspired from traditional Malay dance in KonTra : Bianglala, traditional Indian dance in KonTra : Asirvatham, and dances from East Malaysia in KonTra : Borneo.
The moon and KonTra : Yuèguāng
Whether in festivals or fairy tales, the moon is a recurring imagery in Chinese culture and folklore. This forms the basis of the upcoming KonTra : Yuèguāng 月光 where six choreographers were chosen from an open call to create their own take and interpretation of Chinese dance and culture.
Each dance piece offers a unique narrative such as “huǎng” by Feyee Bethany who draws inspiration from the legend of Chang’e (嫦娥), the wife of an archer called Hou Yi who became the goddess of the Moon after consuming an elixir of immortality. It is said that the couple reunites each year during the full moon on the eighth lunar month when the Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated.
Master’s in Dance Studies graduate from Beijing Dance Academy and part-time ASWARA lecturer, Wong Chi Ying, presents “Threads of longing, where do they lead?”. It pays tribute to the moon’s mystical role as a matchmaker (月老) in Chinese culture. Through delicate movements, this piece portrays the prayers and aspirations for love as the dancers gather under the moon’s gentle gaze, praying for love blessed by fate.
Nicholas Low, a University of Malaya dance graduate with 15 years of experience, explores the themes of desire and separation in “Lunar Eclipse”. In his creation, the moon symbolises the one we long for, while the Earth’s shadow represents the barriers—whether trauma, distance, or time—standing between us and the object of our desire.
A soloist with ASK Dance Company who has travelled to different continents for dance, Shan Tie’s “Lines, circles and cycles” is an exploration of life’s rhythms using repetitive movements and patterns to portray the choices we make, the paths we follow, and the balance between consistency and divergence in our journeys.
Inspired by the classical figure of the lunar goddess Chang Xi (常羲), Chinese dance exponent Kar Kah Chan’s “Crescents” uses a traditional pheasant feather from one of the oldest ritual dance, Yu Wu, to reimagine the ancient rituals of moon summoning. This piece explores the metamorphosis of the moon to reflect the development of Chinese dance.
Completing the exciting lineup is WUXU Dance Troupe Artistic Director Matt Tan’s “Nán Gā Nán Lèng” (Shout to the Moon in the Dai language) which delves into the sacrificial ritual performed by the Huayao Dai people who believe that all things have spirits. Incorporating Dai ethnic movements, this piece is a heartfelt tribute to the Moon God.
All in all, over 40 dancers will breathe life into KonTra : Yuèguāng 月光, making it possibly the largest contingent ever in the series.
Schools and students may apply for sponsored student tickets to attend KonTra : Yuèguāng 月光 as part of the klpac Connect programme, supported by Yayasan Sime Darby, to improve access to the arts here.
Tickets for KonTra : Yuèguāng 月光 range from RM50 to RM100 with student tickets discounted at RM30. Tickets for the preview night on 24th October are RM40. Tickets can be purchased online on CloudJoi.
