ABSTRACT
This chapter offers an overview of the setting and background of the major theatrical forms such as the wayang kulit shadow puppet play, the makyung and mekmulung dance dramas, the bangsawan Malay opera, the randai dramatic presentation and the Chinese opera and hand-puppet theatre. The shadow puppet play is an ancient form of traditional theatre in Malaysia. The stories are told by a puppet master who manipulates the puppets which are seen in shadows projected on a screen. The wayang kulit Jawa, also known as the wayang kulit purwa, originated in Indonesia and is performed today by the descendants of Javanese immigrants who settled in the southern state of Johore many decades ago. The repertory of the Kelantan shadow puppet theatre consists of about 35 pieces, including overture music, mood-setting music and other pieces to accompany puppet movement of various kinds. The mekmulung is traditional dance drama featuring dialogue, singing, dancing and instrumental music.
