Award-winning, international theatre company, Liver & Lung Productions is showcasing the second instalment of it’s critically acclaimed, sell-out historical musical series, Malaya Relived. 

Theme: freedom, fidelity and forbidden love. 

Merdeka, the second instalment of the immersive Malaya Relived musical series, seeks to unveil tha cultural challenges and the ideological threats our ancestors had to overcome in their fight for Malayan independence. 

When Sylvia Graham, a British Foreign Correspondent, travels to Malaya, she hopes to pen the article of her career, offering a fresh account on what the country’s fight for independence will mean for the British Empire.

Little does she know that she is about to rewrite the plot of her own life when she meets Raj Veerasamy, a formidable proponent of decolonisation, active member of the Malaysian Indian Congress and staunch supporter of the rising anti-colonial Malaysian movement, Merdeka. 

As Merdeka gathers momentum, Shivani Chandra, Raj’s beautifully vibrant student, searches for her place in the world as a young Indian woman.

Through her weekly English lessons with Raj, she pushes him to use his power to do more than pay lip service to the plight of Malayan Indians. 

Caught between his lust for Sylvia, his love of Malaya and the question of his cultural heritage, Raj must decide where his loyalties lie as he seeks to reconcile his fragmented identity and set himself, and Malaya, free.

Brought to life in the form of a three-act musical, the show invites you on a time-bending journey as you are given the rare opportunity to visit Malaya in the 50s. 

Strung together with original music inspired by classical Indian ragas and the dulcet tones of P Ramlee, Liver and Lung promises a colourful journey with familiar sounds, smells and tastes. 

Audiences are invited to dress in their best 50s traditional wear, enjoy the kueh and witness Malaysian history unfold before their eyes.

As with all Malaya Relived performances, expect a proudly Malaysian showcase of local culture and heart-warming nostalgia. 

Besides the talented actors, Malaya Relived: Merdeka is effortlessly orchestrated by Shafeeq Shajahan, director, composer, and co-producer, alongside Ian Nathaniel in the role of musical director, arranger and co-producer. 

Liver and Lung are also in proud partnership with GMBB, a retail creative hub at the heart of KL city, an exciting new ecosystem for creative growth and collaboration. 

Musical theatre enthusiasts and history lovers can enjoy the show for three days, starting on the 19th April until the 21st April. 

Showtimes:

Venue: GMBB Gallery, No 2, Jalan Robertson, 50150, Kuala Lumpur

Ticket prices RM70

Here are some house rules before the show starts! 

Book your tickets here to enjoy the amazing show! 

For more information, visit Liver and Lung’s official website.

Written by Fatin Zafirah