“I like the theme for this year, ‘You, Me + The Arts’, because it gives me the good feeling that we are reaching out more and more to the people out there.”
Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Meet Joe Hasham OAM and Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican, co-founders of The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac). Joe and Faridah also serve as the Artistic Director and Executive Producer of klpac respectively.
Record-breaking performance Adam! The Musical will be making its comeback this #YSDAF2018, 18 years after its debut. Directed by Joe, the musical tells a modern love story about beating the odds with music, humour and love. It ran for 35 performances, which is the most in klpac history — and it’s back for just one night. So witness the journey of Adam at #YSDAF2018’s Gala Night on 19 August 2018.
Faridah also has something up her sleeve. Life Sdn. Bhd.: Issues shares the stories of ordinary people who have extraordinary insights and experiences. This year’s ensemble includes Hajjah Yatela Zainal Abidin, Yayasan Sime Darby CEO, and the actors will be exploring various issues faced by marginalised communities and by those involved in empowering them.
If you’d like to witness their artistic magic first-hand, don’t miss this chance to see them in their elements at the Yayasan Sime Darby Arts Festival (YSDAF) 2018. But before that, let’s get to know this dynamic duo a little better.
Question 1
What are you most looking forward to for this year’s festival?
The charming duo say they’re excited to see the theme “You, Me + The Arts” come to life at the festival finale at klpac on 18 & 19 August. Joe and Faridah are no strangers to the YSDAF, having hosted the first edition in 2014. This year is the festival’s third time around.
Question 2
Do you know what each other's favourite movie is?
These lovebirds are proof that no matter how much time you’ve spent with a person, there’s always something new to learn about them. Although Joe initially struggled to name Faridah’s favourite film, a little help from Google certainly went a long way. Faridah, on the other hand, learnt something new about Joe — even after all these years together!
“I saw it when I was 15, and I fell hopelessly in love with the leading lady. The film was called Summer of 42. It was a coming-of-age film. I’m still coming-of-age.”
Joe Hasham OAM
Question 3
If your partner were a type of Malaysian dish, what would they be?
Almost effortlessly, and yet true to form, both Joe and Faridah chose dishes that would qualify to be the pride and joy of Malaysian cuisine. The best part? They could (cheekily) explain how the dishes reminded them of each other.
“(Joe is) spicy, tangy, delicious, and very palatable.”
Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
“Why? Because it’s my favourite dish. Faridah also is very bite-y and spicy.”
Joe Hasham OAM
