Istana Budaya Record RM9 Million In Ticket Sales So Far This Year

www.istanabudaya.gov.my

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 28 (Bernama) -- Istana Budaya (IB) recorded ticket sales of RM9 million until mid-December this year through 33 musical, theatre and dance performances.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said ticket sales are expected to increase to RM9.3 million after the 'Bahayanya Wanita' theatre concludes on Dec 31. IB collected RM8.3 million in ticket sales last year.

He said he was optimistic that IB could reach the 20 percent increase in sales for 2014 through 28 productions scheduled next year which includes a theatre adaptation of Indonesian cultural observer (budayawan), Hamka, titled 'Di Bawah Lindungan Kaabah' featuring actors Adi Putra, Izzue Islam, Erra Fazira and Ziela Jalil starting May 9.

"IB's productions in 2014 are important platforms for local arts industry players to increase their art value in producing products with quality and unique esthetic value as well as generate economic revenue," he said.

Mohamed Nazri said this when launching the Istana Budaya 2014 Programme today. His speech was read by Tourism and Culture Ministry deputy secretary-general (Culture) Datuk Ab Ghaffar A. Tambi.

He also urged the private sector to support local productions at the IB through smart partnerships so that local cultural activities could continue to grow to an international level.

Next year, IB's stage will be graced by international singers through An Evening with Bruno Mars and Neyo on May 29, as well as local acts in 'Konsert Gemilang Salamiah Hassan' (Jan 10), Erra Fazira, Awie and Ziana Zain in 'Konsert Muzikal Suara Kita' (March 3), 'Konsert Gemersik...Ahmad Jais Dalam Kenangan' (Aug 28) and 'Konsert 45 Tahun Seniman Ramli Sarip' on Oct 17.

Other concerts lined up include 'Konsert Orkestra Tradisional Malaysia Bersama Bintang' on Jan 24 which showcases Datuk Jeffrydin, Datuk A Rahman Hassan, Datuk L Ramlie and A Halim, 'Konsert Kuala Lumpur' (April 4) and 'Konsert Ekspress Rakyat' (May 23).

Theatrical performances scheduled at the IB are 'Projek Kahwin' (June 6), 'Isabela' (June 21), 'Rejang Sebuah Musikal' (Sept 12) as well as musicals Jersey Boy (April 10) and 'Matah Hati' (April 25).

The International Ballet Gala (Aug 9), Mystic India The Musical (Aug 15) Inspitari 2014 (Oct 10), Xuan Zhuang - A Journey To The West The Musical (Oct 27), The Yunnan Showcase (Nov 21), Dramatari Gema Zafana (Dec 5) and Mamma Mia (Dec 15) will also meet IB audience in 2014.
-bernama.