Kuala Lumpur prepares to welcome a deeply honest and emotionally gripping theatrical experience as Us: A Journey of Love, Loss & Belonging makes its way to Kuala Lumpur Perfoming Art Center’s (klpac) Pentas 2. This intimate two-hander, crafted by playwright and director Fa Abdul, garnered widespread praise during its initial run in Penang last month. Featuring the compelling performances of Karam Tabba and Lauren Tan, with a special appearance by multidisciplinary artist Ivan Gabriel, the play promises to be a poignant exploration of modern relationships.
A Story That Strikes the Heart
Us is described as a story told with tenderness, wit, and a searing sense of honesty. It delves into the complexities of modern connections, the innate human longing for connection, and the bittersweet truths we carry about love, timing, and selfhood. Through the intimately intertwined lives of its central characters, Mark and Anna, the play invites audiences to reflect on profound questions, particularly: “We risk everything for love, but what happens when love risks us?” This resonates with anyone who has ever stood at the edge of a relationship and asked, ‘Is this love, or am I just afraid to be alone?’
The play’s ability to deeply move its audience was evident in Penang, where theatregoers offered glowing testimonials. Mariam Lim hailed it as “what an excellent play, easily one of the best English plays I have ever watched.” Karynn Tan described the performances as “raw, very real & relatable and tugs your heart. Many of us cried.” Another audience member, Nor Zulaikha Hassan, praised its subtle approach and gentle progression, noting how she was “easily swept up in their dialogue,” calling it “a smart and bold staging. A two-hour show that flew by.”
Meeting the Performers: Vulnerability and Connection
The success of Us is anchored in the deeply vulnerable and nuanced performances of its lead actors. Karam Tabba, a Syrian-born performer with over a decade of experience in the Malaysian theatre scene, takes on the role of Mark. Mark is depicted as a sharp, emotionally complex writer caught between the desire for intimacy and the fear of losing himself. Drawing from his own journey, Karam shared, “playing Mark has felt like holding up a mirror to parts of myself I don’t always talk about out loud.” He views “Us is more than a performance. It’s an exploration of the beautiful messiness of connection, the courage it takes to be vulnerable, and the quiet strength it takes to let someone in without losing yourself.”
Lauren Tan makes her full-length lead debut as Anna, a character grappling with her need to belong. As a lawyer, mediator, writer, tutor, and poet based in Penang, Lauren brings significant depth and insight to the role. She reflected on the play’s broader message, stating, “whilst Us explores the bitingly raw and multi-layered nuances of romantic love, I’m starting to appreciate that the foundation of all love is self-love. For any relationship to be fulfilling, we must strike that sweet spot between love for self and love for others.” Ivan Gabriel, a well-known multidisciplinary artist and actor based in Penang, will also make a special cameo appearance in the Kuala Lumpur run.
Love, After the Fairytales: Fa Abdul’s Vision
In a landscape often dominated by idealized happily-ever-afters and social media-perfect love stories, Us offers a refreshing and “more real” perspective. Playwright and director Fa Abdul emphasized her intention stating, “we don’t want to tell people how to love. We just want them to see themselves in it and maybe walk away with a little more compassion for their own journey.” This approach promises a relatable narrative about “the fumbling, flawed, often frightening task of learning to love – and be loved – without losing who you are”.
The play is presented by Big Nose Productions, a community-based theatre company founded in 2013. Their mission is to create theatre that speaks to the heart—honest, raw, and deeply human, championing original Malaysian stories and nurturing homegrown talent. This aligns perfectly with the authentic and intimate storytelling evident in Us.
Show Details:
Us: A Journey of Love, Loss & Belonging will be showing at Pentas 2, The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac), from July 17 to July 20, 2025.
- Showtimes:
- Preview Night: July 17 (Thursday) @ 8 PM
- Show 1: July 18 (Friday) @ 8 PM
- Show 2: July 19 (Saturday) @ 8 PM
- Show 3: July 20 (Sunday) @ 3 PM
- Tickets: RM38 for Preview Night; RM48 Standard Price.
Further information about this play can be found at their ticketing website, CloudJoi.
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