Theatre
Theatre is a combination of acting, encompassing spoken dialogue, gestures, facial expressions, and emotion, together with music, singing, dance, sound effects, ritual elements, lighting, sets, props, costumes, make-up, and stage effects. It may incorporate one or more performing arts elements to a greater extent than other branches, particularly music and dance.
Theatre is not merely a form of entertainment; it also serves as a medium for education, communication, and social expression. It encompasses various genres, including absurd theatre, drama, modern theatre, monodrama, musical theatre, and others.
Traditional forms of theatre such as Mak Yong, Bangsawan, Jikey, Mek Mulung, Hamdolok, Menora, and Wayang Kulit should continue to be protected and transmitted to future generations.
The picture shows a performance of Mek Mulung Theatre.
Mek MulungTheatre
Mek Mulung is a traditional form of theatre originating from the state of Kedah. This performing art integrates elements of acting, dance, and music. It represents a Malay traditional theatre that continues to be actively practised in Kampung Wang Tepus, Kedah.
The performance typically features characters such as a king, queen, female dancers, musicians, and peran (comic performers).
The picture shows a performance of Mak Yong Theatre.
Mak Yong Theatre
Mak Yong is a form of traditional Malay performing art that can be classified as a dance-drama, as its performance not only involves dramatic acting but is also interspersed with dance and singing, accompanied by live music. Both performers and musicians share the stage in an open setting, presenting the performance simultaneously to the audience.
This art form developed as a genre of entertainment that combines the grace and softness of dance with the delicate, melodious chorus of Inang or Jong Dondang. It is further enriched by dignified acting through dialogue performed by the main characters, Mak Yong and Pak Yong and enlivened by the humour of the comic characters, Peran Tua and Peran Muda.