Curtains up: local performing arts highlights in October
October brings a vibrant mix of theatre, musicals and dance to stages across Malaysia, with everything from homegrown stories to timeless classics. Here’s a rundown of shows you should look out for.
THEATRE
‘Sacrilege Shblecht: LXIX’
A compilation of five short plays under EJKLS Seni’s Young Blood Experiment, a mentoring programme for new writer-directors.
- When: Oct 2-4
- Where: pangkin@ejklsseni, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘The Relationsh*t Chronicles’
Presented by Big Nose Productions, this show puts you in a room with 10 people who have experienced love in all its terrible glory. Nine solo stories, one stage, 90 minutes of laughing at things that probably should make you cry.
- When: Oct 2-4
- Where: indicine @ The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), Sentul
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Gema Rajang’
Jabing, an engineer, is forced into a confrontation with his mother, a traditional weaver and the matriarchal defender of the untouched Pulau Galau forest. Traditional Sarawakian heritage collides with modern industrialisation in this moving tragedy.
- When: Oct 3-4
- Where: Borneo Cultures Museum, Kuching, Sarawak
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘【新山JB】羅生門Rashomon’
A samurai and his wife have a tragic encounter with a bandit in a bamboo grove – yet the people involved each tells a different version of what happened.
- When: Oct 8-11
- Where: Space Oddity, Johor Bahru, Johor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Sepanjang Hayat (A Lifetime)’
Karim and Zubaidah are estranged from their eldest son, who married a Chinese woman without their blessing. Zubaidah questions why Karim can embrace cultural and ideological differences so readily – yet cannot forgive his own offspring.
‘Always Fated Almost Faded’
In a world where emotions speak louder than words, Dharman and Aeila find themselves drawn into a journey of connection, conflict, and the truths that shape their lives.
- When: Oct 16-18
- Where: pangkin@ejklsseni, Wangsa Maju, Kuala Lumpur
- Tickets can be purchased here.
Short + Sweet Malaysia Festival 2026: Theatre
Two weeks of short theatre pieces, all performed in 10 minutes or less. This festival also doubles as a competition, with awards presented in various categories on the final Gala night. Cast your vote and help your favourite win the Audience Choice Award!
- When: Oct 16-17 (Week 1), Oct 23-24 (Week 2), Oct 25 (Gala)
- Where: Pentas 2, klpac, Sentul
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘A House Divided’
Seven friends who were once united are now fractured. Audiences are invited to a “funeral” that traces the events that ended their friendship and their attempts to come to terms with the past. Talk about putting the “fun” in funeral.
- When: Oct 17-18
- Where: Asia-Europe Institute, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Iskul Mapan-Mapan’
This play follows Pak Kasan and Cikgu Aisyah’s efforts to establish an alternative school for Bajau Laut children in Kampung Mapan-Mapan, Sabah, in the 1990s.
- When: Oct 22-25
- Where: Balai Budaya, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), Kuala Lumpur
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Teater di Ambang Hak’
After 11 years of marriage, Rokiah and Mustapha believe their first love will last forever. But what happens when Mustapha finds love for a second time? Can a decision be made that honours Rokiah as a woman, wife and mother?
- When: Oct 24-25
- Where: Robert’s Theatre @ The Campus Ampang, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Bangsawan Beting Beras Basah: Hikayat Dewa Mahkota 2026’
How did the state of Perak obtain its first sultan, and how did its name even come about? Discover the challenges behind the rise of a kingdom after Melaka’s fall, in this play that brings legends to life through live music, immersive sound and even holograms!
- When: Oct 30-Nov 1
- Where: Panggung Sari Istana Budaya, Kuala Lumpur
- Tickets can be purchased here.
DANCE
Short + Sweet Festival 2026: Dance
Enjoy a series of original dance pieces, each performed in 10 minutes or less.
- When: Oct 2-4
- Where: Pentas 2, klpac, Sentul
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Genggaman’
Three of the nation’s leading dance companies – Sutra Foundation, Dua Space Dance Theatre and DiDance – come together in a richly textured celebration of Malaysia’s multicultural dance heritage.
- When: Oct 9
- Where: Soka Gakkai Malaysia Culture Centre, Klang, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Murmur in the Wildwood’
Presented by the students and coaches of Airfit Dance Studio, this aerial-arts performance tells of an epic clash between the elves, who protect the forests, and the humans, who are driven by consumption and development.
- When: Oct 10
- Where: Damansara Performing Arts Centre (DPAC), Empire Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Tutu Toe Biannual Concert 2026: Clara Nutcracker – A Dream with a Twist’
This remixed version of the classic story will take you on a magical journey through the Land of Sweets. Presented by students of Tutu Toe Dance Academy.
‘Azul Fest Malaysia 2026’
An international competition and performance festival celebrating aerial dance as both a sport and expressive art form, bringing together aerial artistes, coaches, studios and audiences from all over the world.
- When: Oct 11
- Where: DPAC, Empire Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
Dancesteps Studio 2026 Concert
Enjoy an afternoon with students of Dancesteps Studio, who will showcase a range of styles including classical ballet, modern and tap.
- When: Oct 11
- Where: D Theatre Malaysia, Empire City, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Where the End Begins’ Chinese Dance Showcase 2026
This production explores the cycle of life, memory and identity, tracing how people, places and fleeting moments shape who we become … where every ending can also be a return to our beginnings and the start of something new. (Copy-pasted from press release.)
- When: Oct 24
- Where: PJPAC, 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘The Light of Greece《希腊之光》 A Greek Myth Ballet by Asia City Dance Academy’
Gods, humans, beauty, desire, conflict and hope are presented through the language of dance in this performance by Asia City Dance Academy, in conjunction with its 30th anniversary.
- When: Oct 24
- Where: Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, Johor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Let’s Dance 6’
Organised by the Selangor & KL Kwang Tung Association Youth Section, the sixth iteration of this arts exchange gives students the opportunity to step into the theatre and experience the charm of dance and live performance.
- When: Oct 24-25
- Where: DPAC, Empire Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘The Time it Takes for Time to Tick’
Presented by Between 2 Studios and Kongsi Petak, this production marks dance artiste and choreographer Audrey Chua’s first full-length work, exploring the unsettling notion of time running out.
- When: Oct 30-Nov 1
- Where: DPAC, Empire Damansara, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
MUSICAL
‘Teater Muzikal Koperasi: Satukan Cinta’
In this musical by Revolution Stage, graduate Aisyah returns to Kampung Seri Tanjung and proposes forming a cooperative to free villagers from exploitation by powerful middlemen. Together with her friend Budi, she must overcome resistance, intimidation and sabotage to unite the community.
- When: Oct 1-4
- Where: MBPJ Civic Hall, Petaling Jaya
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Muzikal Sri Gemalai: Fragmen Rakyat Johor’
Celebrate the beauty of Johor’s artistic heritage through ghazal music, dance and orchestral arrangements. This show weaves together stories of its people with themes of love, identity and devotion to the state’s cultural heritage.
- When: Oct 2
- Where: Panggung Seri, Taman Budaya Negeri Melaka, Melaka
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘The Wizard of Oz’
Follow Dorothy and Toto as they journey along the Yellow Brick Road with the Scarecrow, Tin Woodman, and Cowardly Lion in search of the Wizard. Presented by Taylor’s International School Puchong.
- When: Oct 9-10
- Where: Auditorium @ Taylor’s International School Puchong, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
Short + Sweet Malaysia Festival 2026: Musical
A collection of original short musicals, each told in 10 minutes or less. Remember to vote for your favourite!
- When: Oct 9-11
- Where: Pentas 2, klpac, Sentul
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Kapitan 2.0 – The Musical’
Inspired by the life and times of Yap Ah Loy, this musical unfolds across an era shaped by ambition and leadership, conflict and hardship. When everything built over the years can disappear overnight, what does it take for a person, and a community, to rise again?
- When: Oct 24-25
- Where: D Theatre Malaysia, Empire City, Selangor
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Turandot’
Set in ancient Beijing, Puccini’s final opera follows the icy Princess Turandot, whose suitors must solve three riddles or face death.
- When: Oct 17-25
- Where: Pentas 1, klpac, Sentul
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘《摩西》音乐剧 ｜【Moses】The Musical’
Moses answers a divine calling to free his people from slavery in Egypt and lead them towards the Promised Land.
- When: Oct 31-Nov 1
- Where: Woodlands International School Hall, Sibu, Sarawak
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Teater Muzikal Sekuntum Mawar Merah’
Nightclub star Mawar finds love with Rashid, a young musician who writes a song especially for her. Spanning the 1980s into the 2000s, their story explores love, painful secrets, redemption and the consequences of the past.
- When: Oct 31-Nov 1
- Where: Dewan Astaka, UMPSA Gambang, Pahang
- Tickets can be purchased here.
‘Puteri Gunung Ledang’
One of Malaysia’s most well-known musicals returns, reimagined for a new generation. This epic tale of love and sacrifice tells of a Javanese princess whose destiny becomes entwined with Hang Tuah, the legendary warrior of Melaka.
- When: Oct 31-Nov 15
- Where: The Grand Theatre, Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre, Selangor
- Tickets are sold out!
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