The musical was created by director Joe Hasham for Malaysia’s 50th anniversary, and brings audiences through a 50-year musical journey from Merdeka Day through the Singapore-Malaysia separation and the 1969 racial riots, up until the year it was staged, 2007.

Interwoven through these four timelines are stories and characters that provide insight on the effect independence has had on the country and Malaysians, as well as the hopes and ambitions of Tunku Abdul Rahman, fondly remembered as Bapa Merdeka.

The musical has all the colour, drama, excitement, anticipation, heartache, sorrow and uncertainty of that fateful Saturday morning in 1957 when the cries of “Merdeka!” reverberated across the country.

“Tunku the Musical” was written by Ipoh-born composer Lim Chuang Yik and lyricist Teng Ky-Gan. One of its leads, Maria Yasmin, won for Best Solo Performance (Voice) at the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2008.

The musical also features six other main characters played by Tony Eusoff, Syuk Ibrahim, Evelyn Toh, Doreen Tang, Zamil Idris, and Douglas Lim, all backed by an 18-piece live orchestra.

Today, “Tunku the Musical” serves as a reminder for Malaysians to stay hopeful and united, especially in the face of the pandemic that has seen klpac and most performing arts venues having gone a whole year without audiences as of Aug 27.

“Tunku the Musical” is part of the WFH@klpac (Watch from Home) series as the venue endures its third lockdown due to the pandemic, which has cost it more than RM2 million in losses.

While the screening of ‘Tunku the Musical’ is free, the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre welcomes donations through its website.