Fwd: In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang) premiering at Northcote Townhall 24-28 June

[Michelle Antoinette]

Sending on behalf of artist-researcher, Liang Luscombe:

Dear friends and colleagues,

I am really pleased to share this new performance work In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang) that has developed with a really wonderful team that will be premiering at Northcote Townhall, Melbourne, 24-28 June 2026 and tickets are now on sale here.

Below is a little blurb about the performance:

Created by visual artist Liang Luscombe, musician and ethnomusicologist Isobel D’Cruz Barnes, and writer–producer Haneen Mahmood Martin, the work follows a woman transformed by betrayal and loss into the pontianak, a spectral figure known for her long black hair, haunting laughter, and lingering presence among the banana trees and frangipani-scented air.  

This retelling follows a woman who falls in love with a man obsessed with her hair. When she attempts to reclaim her independence by cutting off her hair, he turns violent and murders her. She transforms into the pontianak, a monstrous spirit who will not forget. 

Enter a world of shadow puppetry inspired by Malaysian wayang kulit, live music by the five-piece ensemble Hantu, and dance-theatre influenced by butoh. Moody, evocative, and steeped in the supernatural. 

Focusing on visual dramaturgy, the work develops a supernatural, fluid visual language through the interplay of kombucha leather, shadow puppetry, and the pontianak’s movements and flowing hair. These elements are layered with the visceral improvisational quality of Malaysian Australian choreographer/performer Janette Hoe's performance which utilises dance-theatre influenced by butoh to embody the pontianak’s grief and haunting.

We have raised 95% of funds for the show so we are looking to secure donations to support the final elements of the work, so it can be presented at the quality that it deserves. This includes costuming, lighting, as well as audience engagement approaches so that we can reach communities not typically addressed by Australian theatres. This would be us raise the last $5K through the Australian Cultural Fund. I have copied the link to our fundraiser here, but if you had any capacity to support, even something small, that would be amazing:).

Hope to see you at the performance and if you have any questions or queries please contact me at llus...@gmail.com 

Liang Luscombe