Held in PJPAC, One Utama on May 5, the event was both a celebration of excellence in the local performing arts landscape, as well as an inspiring reminder of the crucial role of arts and culture in our lives.
The dance category saw Kongsi Petak and Cake Project win four awards for “Switchblade Operation: The Longing”, which comprised two choreographies, “A World In the City” and “Gui Qu Lai Xi”.
Playspace and RMP’s “Dondang Dongeng” received four wins in the music category, including Best Group Performance – Instrumental and Best Musical Direction.
In the musical theatre category, “Spooks: The Musical” took home five awards, followed closely by Liver & Lung Productions’ “Melur The Musical”, that won four.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic. Just to be nominated is sending us over the moon. It’s a real honour to be recognised by the industry and our peers, and to be put up among so many great talents is amazing,” said the musical’s actresses Alexandria Kay and Lauren Ho, who were nominated for Best Performance in a Supporting and Leading roles respectively.
In the theatre category, it was a fateful night indeed for Five Arts Centre and Reka Space’s “Malam Takdir,” that received three awards, as did Protagonist Studio’s “Fault Lines.”
“I feel great. The response to the show has been great. These kinds of awards are very important in the industry, because they reaffirm confidence and belief in younger practitioners, who can see the possibilities of what can be,” said “Malam Takdir” director Chee Sek Thim.
Sape master Mathew Ngau Jau, 72, was awarded the Boh Cameronian Lifetime Achievement Award, for his role in elevating his community’s traditional art forms both nationally and internationally.
Four productions were honoured in the Best of 2023 category, namely “Dondang Dongeng”, “Fault Lines,” “Malam Takdir” and “Switchblade Operation: The Longing.”
Held annually since 2002, the BOH Cameronian Arts awards is presented by BOH Plantations and Kakiseni, and aims to recognise, reward and raise the bar of excellence for local performing arts practitioners.
This year’s ceremony was hosted by the witty Kai Chalmers, and featured presenters such as renowned choreographer and dancer Ramli Ibrahim and Sime Darby Foundation CEO Yatela Zainal Abidin. Guests of honour included Rosnan Nordin, the deputy director-general (culture and arts) of JKKN.
“The arts are not merely a luxury, but a vital cornerstone of civilisation, enriching lives, fostering empathy and igniting the flames of imagination in hearts young and old alike,” Persatuan Kakiseni president Low Ngai Yuen stated.
The ceremony saw 39 awards presented across dance, music, musical theatre and theatre sub-categories, as well as a “Best of 2023” category and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Each sub-category winner received a BOH Cameronian Arts Awards trophy and a cash prize of RM1,000, while each “Best of 2023” Winner received a BOH Cameronian Arts Awards trophy and a cash prize of RM5,000.
Click here for the full list of winners.