‘Persidangan Hantu’ Packed With Social Satire, Strengthens Melaka Theatre Ecosystem

MELAKA, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The two-day staging of the horror-comedy theatre production Persidangan Hantu, Permainan Akhir, which began yesterday, is among the initiatives by the Melaka Department of Culture and Arts (JKKN) to strengthen the state’s performing arts ecosystem.

Melaka JKKN director Ezlina Alias said the production, organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in collaboration with Persatuan Penggerak Anak Seni Melaka, also provides greater exposure and opportunities for young talents and local artistes to remain active professionally.

“The script staged at Panggung Seri, Melaka JKKN Complex, not only focuses on entertainment but also highlights satire and social criticism relevant to contemporary realities.

“This production unites professional and amateur actors in a single quality effort, demonstrating the considerable potential of Melaka’s artistic community to shine at the national level,” she told Bernama.

JKKN director-general Mohd Amran Mohd Haris was also present.

Ezlina said the script by prolific playwright Mohd Isa Maarof was directed by Raja Azrey, who employed a creative dramatic style to present social messages in a way that is both entertaining and easily understood by audiences.

The two-hour performance features well-known local actors including Man Rajalawak, Ieda Moin, Ucop Cecupak, Along Eyzendy and Evie Razwan, alongside amateur performers from Melaka and students of Sekolah Seni Malaysia Johor.

Ezlina said the production adopts a realist horror-comedy genre, using supernatural characters as symbolism to suggest that negative human behaviour today is often worse than that associated with the unseen world.

“In this story, the ghosts are described as holding a meeting because they are alarmed that humans are committing immoral acts to the point of ‘taking over’ roles commonly linked to them.

“Although presented as a horror comedy, the work is rich in lessons that prompt audiences to reflect on who is actually ‘more ghost-like’ when humans themselves stray from moral values,” she said.

She encouraged the public to attend the final night of the performance tonight. Tickets are priced at RM20 and available through the official JKKN Melaka platform and CloudJoi.

-- BERNAMA