A new multidisciplinary work exploring one of Southeast Asia’s most enduring myths is set to take over Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre this June, as In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang) lands as part of Darebin Arts Speakeasy.
Running from 24 to 28 June, the production reimagines the story of the pontianak, a spirit shaped by betrayal and loss, known across the region for her long black hair and unsettling presence. Here, the familiar folklore is reframed through a contemporary lens that leans into movement, sound and visual storytelling rather than dialogue.
The narrative centres on a woman who falls in love with a man fixated on her hair. When she attempts to assert her independence, the relationship turns violent, ending in her death and transformation into the pontianak, a spirit who refuses to be forgotten.
The work is created by visual artist Liang Luscombe, musician and ethnomusicologist Isobel D’Cruz Barnes, and writer and producer Haneen Mahmood Martin. Together, they blend shadow puppetry inspired by Malaysian wayang kulit, live music performed by a five piece ensemble, and dance theatre influenced by Butoh.
At the centre of the performance is dancer Janette Hoe, whose choreography channels the emotional weight of the story through a physical and often confronting presence. Without spoken word, the piece relies on texture and atmosphere, with shadow, sound and movement working together to build a slow, immersive experience.
The production also reflects on the ongoing relevance of traditional artforms, treating them as living practices rather than historical artefacts. Themes of gender, violence and memory sit beneath the surface, with the pontianak positioned as both a feared figure and a symbol of unresolved trauma.
Moody and visually driven, the show offers a different kind of theatre experience, one that draws audiences into a layered and often unsettling world.
In Shadows (Dalam Bayang-Bayang) runs from 24 to 28 June at Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre.
Find tickets and session details here: https://arts.darebin.vic.gov.au/Programs-and-opportunities/Programs/Speakeasy-presentations/In-Shadows
