27/01/2026

LYFE TUESDAY | JAN 27, 2026

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Jester returns to Malaysia for third show INTERNATIONAL viral comedy sensation Morgan Jay will return to Kuala Lumpur with a third show on Nov 18 at Mega Star Arena, Kuala Lumpur, giving audiences another opportunity to experience a performance that is entirely live, improvised and never repeated. Originally scheduled for two performances, the overwhelming response from Malaysian audiences has led LOL Asia and BOHM Presents to add a third show at a larger venue, allowing more fans to be part of a comedy experience that unfolds uniquely with every audience. Jay’s Malaysia debut has proven that his signature blend of auto-tuned musical comedy, real-time crowd interaction and emotional intelligence resonates deeply with local audiences. The sell-out performances reflect not just popularity but a strong appetite for a new kind of comedy experience that is spontaneous, immersive and deeply personal. Unlike traditional stand-up, Jay’s shows are shaped in the moment. Every interaction, song and punchline is influenced by the audience in the room, ensuring that no two performances are ever the same. This third show offers a completely new live experience, not a repeat of previous nights. It features fresh improvised material, songs and audience moments, as well as an opportunity for fans across Malaysia who missed the sold-out shows. Following the sell-out of the first two shows, ticket pricing for the third performance has been adjusted in line with market demand, with ticket prices ranging from RM158 to RM318. Jay is not traditional stand-up. He is part comedian, part musician, part cultural commentator – and entirely of the digital generation. From viral auto-tuned crowd work to emotionally resonant humour around relationships, identity and modern dating, Jay’s performances are created live in the moment, making each show a one-of-a-kind experience. Having sold out two shows, this third performance is expected to be the final opportunity for Malaysian audiences to catch him live in 2026.

Somewhere in the South marks Tan’s directorial debut.

Chen is a Singaporean filmmaker.

Local pride takes film to East

T HE Malaysian feature film project Somewhere in the South , written and directed by Tan Ce Ding and produced by Anthony Chen, has been selected for the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), which takes place March 17–19 in Hong Kong. It is one of the premier feature film project pitching forums in Asia. Somewhere in the South marks Tan’s feature-length directorial debut, following the international festival success of his short film Please Hold The Line , which premiered in the Orizzonti section of the Venice International Film Festival and went on to screen at major festivals including Clermont-Ferrand and Golden Horse. The film is produced by renowned Singaporean filmmaker Anthony Chen ( Ilo Ilo, Wet Season, The Breaking Ice ), winner of Camera d’Or at Cannes Film Festival and winner of multiple Golden Horse Awards. Also producing the film is Malaysian Edward Lim, a long-time collaborator of Tan. Lim previously produced Please Hold The Line and has collaborated with Chen on earlier projects, continuing their creative partnership on Somewhere in the South . Set in a declining southern Malaysian town during a brief period of heightened public attention, Somewhere in the South follows a restless young man who becomes involved with a group promising change, after being asked to wear its tiger mascot suit, only to find himself losing his sense of identity behind o Cannes winner Anthony Chen produces his first Malaysian feature, directed by Venice-selected filmmaker Tan Ce Ding

The project marks Tan’s feature-length directorial debut, following the international festival success of his short film Please Hold The Line . the costume.

CD, as we fondly call him, is exactly the kind of exciting new voice we’re seeing rise in Malaysian cinema. His first feature – with its remarkable honesty and ambition – captures the growing confidence and urgency of this movement. I look forward to working with him to elevate Somewhere in the South for the international stage,” said Chen. Currently in script development and an early financing stage, Somewhere in the South is developed as a Malaysian feature with dialogue in English, Malay and Cantonese. The project will be presented at HAF and selected teams engage with international producers, financiers and industry partners.

“This is my debut feature, a project I have been developing over the past year. I’m very excited to finally work on a subject that feels distinctly Malaysian, yet remains largely unexplored on screen. The script has been developed across different countries through focused international development programmes and I just returned from Tokyo last month, where the project underwent further development. Entering HAF marks an important step forward and I look forward to working closely with Anthony as the film continues to take shape,” said Tan. “I’ve long admired Tan’s bold short films.

Jay’s Malaysia debut proves his signature blend of auto-tuned musical comedy, real-time crowd interaction and emotional intelligence resonates deeply with local audiences.