Independent Women: Mayang, Rokiah, Mariam, Dara - and Faridah Merican

In the 1960s, in a newly independent country, Faridah Merican played some of the most fascinating female leads of the day.  She brought to life the iconic characters of Mayang, Rokiah, Mariam and Dara.

Syed Alwi, Usman Awang and K Das were three of the playwrights who wrote her such roles. How did she meet them and what drew her to them? Why were they drawn to writing such strong, independent women? What was that post-independence theatre movement like? Do these  female characters have anything to say to us today?

Join us for a reading of some of these iconic characters played by some of our finest contemporary actresses and listen in on a conversation between Faridah Merican and Jo Kukathas about Malaysian theatre in the turbulent 60s.

PS FUN FACT: Jo Kukathas’ father was one of those playwrights...