8TH OCTOBER 2022, SENTUL – What a tantalizing night of comedy and music!
We are talking about the 15th anniversary of Short+Sweet Malaysia, held annually at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Two nights ago was the Stand-up Comedy and Song instalment of the Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022, the birthplace of many performing artists.
The evening showcased a talented line-up of 22 acts who performed their craft in either stand-up comedy or song, with each act executing their short and sweet performances in under 5 minutes. With a sold-out crowd, the night was building up to the finale for the Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy and Song category, where the winners were announced at the prize-giving ceremony that very night.
Picture: All the shortlisted performers for Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy & Song
Source: KLPac (Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy & Song)
The highlight of the night was the stellar comedic performance by stand-up comedian Asuraajan Sharleh, best known by his stage name, Asu. During the night’s prize-giving, Asu bagged three awards for Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy category. Winning Best Newcomer, Best Overall Production and Audience Choice Award, Asu’s triumphant comedic act shared his hilariously relatable day-to-day encounters with customer relations personnel.
Asu’s performance earned the praise of Co-Founder and Artistic Director of KLPac, Joe Hasam (OAM). “Congratulations, Asu. You are such a funny person. You are probably one of the most talented stand-up comedian I have seen in a long time,” congratulated Joe Hasham (OAM) as he greeted Asu onstage to receive his awards.
Picture: Joe Hasham (OAM), Co-Founder & Artistic Director of KLPac, announcing the winners of Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy & Song
Source: KLPac (Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy & Song)
Sweeping away two awards for Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Song category was duo Nordafina & Jonathan with their original tune ‘The Seasons of My Youth’. Receiving the Audience Choice Award and Festival Director’s Award, their melodious song took the audience on a journey of reflection. The audience reminisced the days of their youth, from an insecure teenager to eventually finding their footing in adulthood. This harmonious acoustic performance touched the hearts of the live audience.
Picture: Winners of Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Song category, Nordafina & Jonathan (Audience Choice Award & Festival Director’s Award) alongside KLPac’s Co-Founder & Festival Director, Datuk Dr Faridah Merican
Source: KLPac (Short+Sweet Malaysia 2022: Stand-Up Comedy & Song)
Other winners of the night for the Stand-Up Comedy category include budding stand-up comedian Kishen Alex (1st Runner Up), first-time win for Short+Sweet regular Abbey Thangiah (2nd Runner Up), renowned ‘Gegar Lawak’ star Ayim Razak (Artistic Director’s Award) as well as Garu (Festival Director’s Award) hailing all the way from Penang for this festival.
For the Song category, award winners struck a chord with the judges for originally composed and self-produced songs. Awardees include Melissa Anne for her song ‘Younger’ (Best Overall Production), ‘Somebody’s Dream’ by Jonathan Mah of the band Mischief at Midnight (1st Runner Up), ‘You and I’ by Kryzee (2nd Runner Up), trio Aristarchus Arcturus with their song, ‘No Worries’ (Artistic Director’s Award) and Jessie Jesh with her song ‘Sunday Honey’ (Best Newcomer).
Congratulations to all the performers and the KLPac crew for this top-notch showcase of talents. Support the Malaysian performing art scene at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Tickets to their annual Short+Sweet Festival Malaysia (upcoming categories include Musical, Dance and Theatre) and a variety of other shows are all available for booking at www.klpac.org.
