THE timeless shadows of Wayang Kulit are about to flicker with a new kind of fire.
For the first time ever, Wayang Women, the world’s first multinational all-female Wayang Kulit troupe, will bring their groundbreaking performance to Kuala Lumpur in a one-time showcase this Oct.
Set for Oct 17 and 18 at REX KL, this isn’t just a performance, it’s a cultural reinvention.
Audiences can expect a powerful fusion of shadow play, live traditional instruments, modern electronic soundscapes, spoken word, and digital projections. Drawing from Southeast Asian ghost folklore, the troupe transforms age-old myths into stories that unearth the silenced emotions, struggles and resilience of women across the region.
The performance is designed not only as an artistic showcase, but also as a cultural revival, breathing new life into an art form that has historically excluded women.
The event will open at 8pm with a Question and Answer session, followed by the performance at 8.30pm and will conclude with the Wayang Women DJ Set After-Party at 9.30pm.
Tickets are already available online through CloudJoi.
Redefining tradition
Founded in 2023, Wayang Women is the first troupe of its kind in the world, bringing together artists and musicians from across Southeast Asia.
With a mission to centre women’s voices, the ensemble combines live music, shadow puppetry, and storytelling in ways that highlight female folklore, experiences, and artistic power.
The troupe is led by Malaysian puppeteer, educator and theatre producer Illya Sumanto, who is based in Thailand.
Illya is currently pursuing her doctoral thesis on the experiences of female puppeteers in Malaysia and Indonesia, while studying under the renowned Kelantanese master puppeteer, Pak Dain.
She also serves as a Wayang Kulit specialist at the International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA) and is the founder of the Empathy For Youth Academy, which uses shadow puppetry to teach emotional literacy.
“Wayang Women is about reclaiming space in an art form where women’s voices have historically been absent,” she has said in past talks, describing the project as both deeply personal and profoundly cultural.
The women behind the shadows
The line-up of performers is as eclectic as it is groundbreaking.
Lynn Nandar Htoo, a sound artist and researcher from Myanmar now based in Cambodia, merges lost traditional Myanmar sounds with modern electronic beats.
Performing under the name LnHD, she has toured Europe and across Southeast Asia, carving a unique niche at the crossroads of heritage and dance music.
Annabel Laura, an Indonesian-Dutch singer-songwriter and multidisciplinary artist, draws from her intuitive creative process to produce meditative concerts and workshops worldwide.
With three albums to her name, she has also been a finalist in the Dutch Songwriting Competition.
Tigra Rose, a Balinese-Javanese musician and vocalist, blends modern jazz with sinden traditions, performing with instruments such as the celempung and suling.
Known for her improvisations in Ubud, her music carries both cultural heritage and personal exploration.
Victoria Yam, winner of the 2024 Oram Awards in London, is a Malaysian-Filipino cultural innovator and founder of Align.Online.
Her performances often champion marginalised queer voices and war refugees, combining Southeast Asian traditions with cutting-edge sound art.
Ola, a Thai-Nigerian instrumentalist still in her teens, is an emerging master of the Khim, a traditional Thai string instrument.
A student at Panyaden International School, she is part of a new generation dedicated to reviving traditional Southeast Asian instruments.
Sarah Amer, the project manager of Wayang Women, is also a DJ, cultural archivist and community organiser.
Beyond curating traditional Malay pop culture records, she works with the Mah Meri indigenous community to preserve their endangered weaving art, while also leading urban arts initiatives like Sama Sama and Samasana Studios.
The performance will also feature puppets designed by Mali of Thailand, whose intricate leather craftsmanship blends traditional artistry with modern aesthetics.
Together, the troupe presents an ambitious reworking of Wayang Kulit, with female perspectives and cross-border collaboration at its heart.
Through their artistry, they not only honour the past but also reframe it for contemporary audiences.
This rare performance in Kuala Lumpur will be the only chance to witness Wayang Women live in Malaysia, making it an unmissable cultural moment.
A night not to be missed
This special debut offers audiences a rare chance to experience Wayang Kulit like never before, told through the voices and artistry of women.
Wayang Women is set to be an inspiring night of culture, music, and storytelling that shouldn’t be missed.
Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours now and experience Wayang Women live at REX KL!