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Gamelan Theatre ©  

A musical journey where gamelan meets theatre celebrating the melodic Malay gamelan with a contemporary twist!

Seruan Setu Poster_edited.jpg

2023

Seruan Setu - The Secret Gardens of the Sea

Premiered in August 2023, Seruan Setu was a bold eco-performance that brought together the resonant sounds of the Malay gamelan with the hidden soundscape of Malaysia’s seagrass meadows.

Performed at KLPAC, it marked a turning point in Rhythm in Bronze’s artistic journey — blending music, narrative, and environmental themes. Drawing from field recordings, theatre, and gamelan composition, the work invited audiences to see, hear, and feel the fragility of our marine ecosystems in a new light.

The production won Best Choreographer (Aida Redza) at the 19th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards (2024). It was also nominated for Best Original Music & Lyrics (Jyotsna for Samudra Vasane), Best Ensemble/Group Performance (Rhythm in Bronze), and Best Music & Sound Design (Terence Chong).

Artistic Director: Datuk Zahim Albakri

Music Director: Jillian Ooi

Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam

Seruan Setu Poster_edited.jpg

2014

Arus Gangsa

Arus Gangsa was a musical journey where gamelan meets theatre celebrating the melodic Malay gamelan with a contemporary twist!

Using water as a starting theme, this production featured exciting new compositions telling stories of love, surrender and retribution.

​Our composers delved into the connections between the acoustic qualities of the gamelan with the realm of Water and showcased the capacity of these ancient instruments for telling contemporary musical stories that are as nuanced, multifaceted and dynamic as the Water element. 

The production won Best Production Value at the 2015 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards

Artistic Directors : Loh Kok Man & Jillian Ooi

Music Director: Jillian Ooi

Executive Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam

Seruan Setu Poster_edited.jpg

2011

MaYa: Gong Illusions

MaYa: Gong Illusions marked Rhythm in Bronze’s massive collaborative efforts with some of Malaysia’s most talented artists. With choreographer Joseph Gonzales as its artistic director, this production featured singer-songwriter Reza Salleh, bassist Zailan Razak, gambus player Khazrin Yani and the award-winning Batteryheadz Percussion.

 

The production won Best Production Value at the 2012 BOH Cameronian Arts Awards

Artistic Director: Joseph Gonzales

Music Director: Ann Salina Peter & Seow Lai Fong

Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam

2009

Hari Jadi

2009 saw Rhythm in Bronze reaching a new milestone. It celebrated its 12th ‘birthday bash’ by mounting a Gamelan Theatre concert titled “Hari Jadi” (“birthday” in Malay). The concept of the performance was based on the group’s musical journey, drawing from songs and pieces that hold a special significance in its history and development.

Artistic Director: Edwin Sumun

Music Director: Susan Sarah John & Seow Lai Fong 

Producer: Sharmini Ratnasingam

2007

Alih Punggong

The group’s 2007 concert, Alih Punggong, continued the exploration of the gamelan theatre genre, using the element of “extra turns” in bangsawan (Malay opera) theatre for inspiration. The music was woven together with short theatrical pieces and movement. 

 

The highly successful production earned the group four awards from the music category at the 6th Annual BOH Cameronian Arts Award; Best Group performance – Instrumental, Best Musical Direction (Jillian Ooi and Susan Sarah John), Best Original Composition – Runtuh (Jillian Ooi) and Best Production Value.

 

Music Director: Jillian Ooi and Susan Sarah John

Director: Namron and Loh Kok Man 

Producer: Marion D’Cruz

2005

Monkey Business

Gamelan theatre” was born

Monkey Business was the first step towards music theatre showcasing the musicians as central and creative performers, involved in acting, movement and solo performance.

 

Director: Krishen Jit

Artistic & Music Directors: Sunetra Fernando & Jillian Ooi

Choreography : Judimar Hernandez

Executive Producers: Marion D’Cruz & Faridah Merican

© 2023 by Rhythm in Bronze

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