#SHOWBIZ: Embraced by immersion: 'Being Carried' celebrates inclusive disability arts
MESMERISED, enamoured and filled with a dawning realisation — those are the words I would use to describe my experience watching ‘Being Carried’ at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) recently.
Mesmerised and enamoured, I found a newfound appreciation for Being Carried, a performance at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). Written and directed by renowned British playwright Kaite O'Reilly, the production is a collaborative effort with Kuala Lumpur-based neurodivergent and disabled theatre-maker Ho Lee Ching. Together, they create a rich, inclusive narrative that resonates deeply with both Malaysian realities and international disabled-led theatre.
As a first-time reviewer, I initially struggled to articulate my thoughts. However, within the first half hour, the performance transformed my perspective from detached analysis to total immersion. The play's aesthetics of access, which prioritize accessibility over afterthoughts, were seamlessly woven into the storytelling. Talented disabled, deaf, and neurodivergent artists brought this vision to life, with sign language and visual storytelling integrated directly into the fabric of the performance.
One scene particularly stood out, featuring guest performer Gejaletchumi Murugaya (Geja) signing about the perception of speech from non-disabled people as mere sound. She compared it to a "duet of movement and sound," highlighting the harmony between body and voice. Another scene saw Danial Bawthan (Wheelsmith), a Singapore-based musician and rapper, deliver a monologue about the often-ignored presence of the disabled community.
His personal background as an influential international athlete and sound designer added depth to the poignant line.
Through this intimate chamber piece, the cast masterfully transforms disability from an external subject to an internal narrative, driven by movement, language, and presence. The central theme explores universal experiences of carrying and being carried — physically, emotionally, and metaphorically — from birth to death. The simplicity of this message belies its profound impact, making it one of the most meaningful contributions theatre can offer.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
