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Front Row

Front Row

BFM Media 2182 Episodes Aug 21, 2026

Don't be afraid of the arts. You too can enjoy it! Tune in to Front Row to find out about the best shows and exhibitions that will recharge your brain and restore your spirit, as told by the producers, performers and artists themselves.

Episodes

The Secret Drawer
The Secret Drawer Aug 21, 2026 1571 “When history happens, no-one is spared.” In The Secret Drawer, two women uncover the hidden histories of their fathers, men whose lives were shaped by theatre, social activism and the political upheavals of 1960s Malaysia. One father leaves behind a drawer his daughter is forbidden to open. The other leaves an archive of almost 60 documents tracing years of detention, rejection and separation. Th
Todak◉Gundik
Todak◉Gundik Aug 21, 2026 1210 You may know the famous story of the swordfish that attacked Singapura. But in Todak◉Gundik, writer Kee Thuan Chye brings that legend together with the story of a Sultan’s favoured concubine, weaving them into a tale of power, jealousy, desire and war. It’s a contemporary Malay-language production packed with puppetry, masks, animation, live gamelan music and even Ulek Mayang. Presented by Pentas
A Tribute to Alfonso Soliano
A Tribute to Alfonso Soliano Aug 14, 2026 1392 Music has always been at the heart of the Soliano family. Across generations, they've helped shape Malaysia's musical landscape, but at the centre of that story is Alfonso Soliano, a composer, conductor, arranger and educator whose influence earned him the title of the Father of Modern Malay Music. This September, the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is honouring his legacy through A Tribute to Al
Lungs
Lungs Aug 13, 2026 1254 A couple sits down to talk about having a child. But what starts as a conversation about parenthood quickly opens up much bigger questions: climate anxiety, personal responsibility, love, fear, and what it means to build a life together when the future feels uncertain. That’s the premise of Lungs, Duncan Macmillan’s acclaimed two-person play. There’s no elaborate set, no props, and no time markers
Beyond Words
Beyond Words Aug 7, 2026 1573 Some of the most memorable musical moments happen when different traditions come together to create something entirely new. That's the idea behind Beyond Words, a one-night-only concert that brings Grammy-winning musician L. Shankar together with an ensemble of leading Malaysian artists for an evening that blends Indian classical music, jazz, rock, pop and traditional local sounds. Joining us to s
Caliban
Caliban Aug 6, 2026 1379 For centuries, audiences have seen Shakespeare's The Tempest as a tale of magic, revenge and forgiveness. But what if the story looks very different when it's told from the perspective of the island's original inhabitant? That's exactly what Masakini Theatre Company is exploring in Caliban, a bold new adaptation that reimagines Shakespeare's classic through a Nusantara lens, weaving together local
Bebenang: An Almost Malaysian Story
Bebenang: An Almost Malaysian Story Jul 31, 2026 1377 What does it really mean to be Malaysian? Is it the stories we're told, the languages we speak, the histories we inherit, or the memories we carry? Bebenang: An Almost Malaysian Story is an original theatre production that explores those questions through the real-life experiences of everyday Malaysians. Developed using verbatim theatre, it brings together personal stories that reveal the many dif
Once Upon a Malaysian Dream
Once Upon a Malaysian Dream Jul 30, 2026 1255 As Merdeka approaches each year, we're often encouraged to reflect on how far Malaysia has come. But it's also a chance to ask some difficult questions: have we lived up to the ideals that independence promised, and what does the "Malaysian Dream" actually mean today? Those are the questions at the heart of Once Upon a Malaysian Dream, a new play that's equal parts history, satire, music and heart
Unbound
Unbound Jul 24, 2026 1619 For centuries, baroque music has endured because of its beauty, emotional depth and technical brilliance. But can it also become the foundation for an immersive, multidisciplinary performance that resonates with audiences today? That's the challenge Wicked Music People has set itself with Unbound, a new production that brings together period instrument performance, contemporary dance, digital scen
Pravaham - The Pulse Of Creation
Pravaham - The Pulse Of Creation Jul 23, 2026 1697 Our rivers have always sustained us, but today many are under increasing pressure from pollution, development and climate change. Rather than presenting those challenges through facts and figures alone, Pravaham – The Pulse of Creation invites audiences to experience them through dance, music and storytelling. It's an original production that celebrates water's role as the pulse of creation while
Robert Rauschenberg and Asia
Robert Rauschenberg and Asia Jul 17, 2026 1750 Some artists travel to exhibit their work. Others travel because they're endlessly curious about the people, places and cultures around them. Robert Rauschenberg was very much the latter. Widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, he believed that creativity flourished through collaboration, conversation and seeing the world firsthand. Those ideas are at the h
Poets for Peace & Humanity
Poets for Peace & Humanity Jul 16, 2026 1087 Poetry has often been called the language of the heart, but can it also become a language of resistance, dialogue and peace? Poet, author and cultural activist Raja Ahmad Aminullah certainly believes so, and has spent decades using literature to spark conversations about humanity, justice and the world we live in. This month, he's bringing together voices from Malaysia and beyond for "Poets for Pe

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