Curtains up: local performing arts highlights in September

September brings a vibrant lineup of performing arts performances to Malaysia's stages. In Kuala Lumpur, the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre and Pentas 2 host a variety of shows. The Secret Drawer, directed by Jo Kukathas, follows two performers exploring their fathers' histories through archival material. Susan, set at Hush the Theatre, is a gripping tale of a woman with multiple tragedies in her life.

Todak Gundik reimagines Malay legends through the lens of contemporary power dynamics. One Ping Petal, created by young theatre artists, delves into growing up and identity. Fork It takes a semi-autobiographical journey through food, memories and mixed-race identity. The Whale premieres in Malaysia, adapted from Samuel D Hunter's acclaimed drama.

Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl's fantastical retelling of Orpheus's myth, explores love, loss and the business of saying goodbye. Getting to Know You, a unique performance without a script, sees two actors perform based on the audience's cues. Odyssey: The Adventure is a Homer-inspired epic brought to life with everyday objects and music.

Shakespeare Demystified demystifies The Merchant of Venice. In Johor Bahru, Big Fish Education presents 'One Ping Petal', while the Big Fish Experimental Theatre and their teachers create performances based on classic texts. Viva la Fiesta celebrates Latin music and dance with the Jazz Orchestra of Kuala Lumpur, Dua Space Dance Theatre and dancers from My Dance Sport Academy.