MALAYSIAN theatre advocate Leow Puay Tin, known for works including 'Three Children' and 'A Modern Woman Called Ang Tau Mui', returns to the stage with her latest play, 'Mortal Man: Two Monologues'.
Leow, an associate professor at Sunway University's Department of Film and Performing Arts, describes the play as a reflection on Malaysia's history and identity.
"It's about a visionary theatre director who believes theatre has a role in nation-building, especially in the aftermath of the May 13, 1969 racial riots," Leow explains.
"The play explores the director's artistic ambitions and his efforts to challenge socio-political and artistic norms.
"His story intertwines with that of a writer who witnesses and participates in the final chapter of his creative journey."
The narrative is shaped by Leow's tikam-tikam method — a process inspired by the randomness of a nostalgic Malaysian childhood game.
"Chance determines the sequence of the scenes," she says.
This innovative approach invites spontaneity, making each performance distinct.
Reflecting on her inspiration for the play, Leow says" "It stems from my experience teaching 'Arts and Society in Malaysia' to film and music students, mostly non-Malays, at a private university.
"The challenge is helping them overcome cynicism and lack of interest in history, and how to get them to find their own connections to the society of which they are a part and for which they would produce art and entertainment in the near-future."
'Mortal Man: Two Monologues' has been years in the making, tracing its roots back to Leow's earlier plays, 'The Window' (joint third-prize winner at the Second New Straits Times-Esso Playwriting Competition in 1995) and 'Ganesh Kalyanam' (2001).
"The recurring theme in all three works concerns the sense of belonging vis-à-vis the nation."
The play will run at the Five Arts Centre Studio in GMBB KL from Dec 12 to 15, starring Leow and Five Arts Centre member Faiq Syazwan Kuhiri with Tokyo-based dramaturg Ken Takiguchi.
It also sees Leow's return to performance since 2010 at the George Town Festival.
Mark Teh, a member of the arts collective, highlights Leow's impact on Malaysian theatre.
"Puay Tin is the most performed playwright in Five Arts Centre's 40-year history. Generations of theatre-makers turn to her work as a resource and inspiration."
Teh lists renowned directors who have staged Leow's plays, including Chin San Sooi, Krishen Jit, Janet Pillai, and Tung Jit Yang.
Her works have also been adapted and performed internationally, from Singapore to the United States. "She's a sharp observer of human experience. Directors are drawn to her ability to capture the complexities of life."
Leow's major works are iconic in the Malaysian-Singaporean theatre canon and have even been featured in Singaporean literature syllabi.
But Leow remains a relatively private figure.
"Perhaps it's because she emerged during the 1980s when playwriting was dominated by male voices," Teh speculates.
"But those looking to stage good, layered, original Malaysian texts love her work."
Leow's tikam-tikam method adds a distinctive element to her plays.
"My texts often tackle big themes—like Merdeka or love for Malaysia. As a writer, I can only cover them in a limited way so these texts are in essence incomplete, with 'gaps' left to be filled by others such as collaborating authors and directors, actors, theatre audiences," she explains.
This approach allows each performance to evolve through improvisation, making randomness a central and engaging feature, says Teh.
"This method turns every show into a unique experience. It's inspired by a childhood game found in old sundry shops. The element of chance creates both excitement and depth," he adds.
In conjunction with the play, Five Arts Centre is also releasing Tikam-Tikam: Chance Encounters with Performance Texts.
This publication compiles six of Leow's tikam-tikam texts, marking the first time these works are published. Presented as an unbound book, it invites readers to explore, play, and perform the stories in their own way.
Leow's tikam-tikam texts complement her major plays, offering a playful yet profound way to engage with Malaysian narratives.
'Mortal Man: Two Monologues' promises not only a theatrical experience but also a journey through history, identity, and the unpredictable nature of chance.