THE Penang government will give some financial assistance to the Performing Arts Centre of Penang (PenangPAC) to tide over the difficult times during this Covid-19 crisis, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow visited PenangPAC at Straits Quay on June 13 following an appeal by PenangPAC, which has suffered financial losses since the movement control order began on March 18.
He was there together with state executive councillors Yeoh Soon Hin and Zairil Khir Johari, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
They took a firsthand look at the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that PenangPAC has prepared for its reopening after talking with PenangPAC publicity manager Fa Abdul, assistant theatre manager Arnold Hooi and technical supervisor Kash Koe.
Fa Abdul said PenangPAC took a big hit because of the coronavirus and suffered a loss since the MCO. She added that without being able to put on any show, PenangPAC actually needs a substantial operating cost for salaries, electricity, water, maintenance, and others.
Chow, who feels for PenangPAC, said he noted its plight.
“PenangPAC has been greatly impacted by the MCO because over the past 80 days, it cannot open its door for performances. Many scheduled events have also been cancelled or postponed and other activities like classes have also been put on hold,” Chow said.
“Now that we’re into RMCO (recovery movement control order), more sectors are allowed to be opened subject to compliance with SOPs.
“I feel PenangPAC is ready to start and I also took note of the challenges faced by PenangPAC after having suffered a loss of revenue over this period.
“The state government will give some assistance to PenangPAC as a token of appreciation for what it has done over the years. And we want it to make Penang proud with this centre as a place and platform for arts performances in the state of Penang.”
Yeoh, who is the state Toursim Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman, confirmed that PenangPAC could now start operating according to the guidelines given by the National Security Council (MKN).
“We’re also glad to observe that the performing arts is not categorised as one of the prohibited activities under the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases (Measures within Infected Local Areas) (No.7) Regulations 2020 and I opine that performing arts should be allowed to operate, subject to MKN general guidelines,” Yeoh said.
“PenangPAC has to adjust according to its size and to follow the regulations set by the ministry. Its digital class and art class are all allowed to operate now. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasise that activities that involve mass gathering are still restricted.
“Of course, the resumption of any activity is subjected to SOPs such as crowd control, hygiene protocol and social distancing, which I believe the operator is well aware. We’re quite satisfied with the SOPs taken by PenangPAC.”
Fa Abdul, who was initially unsure of whether PenangPAC could reopen, said she was delighted to hear the news.
“We’re desperately waiting for the time when we can open our door. And we’re thankful that YB Yeoh had announced that green light was already given for our academy to reopen,” she said.
“And we’re also feeling very thankful and grateful that the Chief Minister has said that the state government would give us some sort of assistance for us to recover a bit of our losses.”
Fa Abdul said the first project that PenangPAC would kick off at its reopening would be a show entitled, “Ais Kacang”, where two actors, wearing face masks, would be acting for a duration of 60 minutes over six short plays.
“They will be wearing masks. We will follow the SOPs and guideline imposed by the relevant authorities and show that theatre can also be flexible to the rules and regulations. We can still appreciate arts while making sure that our health is taken care of and we’re safe,” she added.
Under the SOPs, PenangPAC can now seat 106 instead of 303 spectators in Stage 1 (theatre) and 36 instead of 120 spectators in Stage 2 (black box).
Fa Abdul’s colleague, Hooi, called upon Penangites to come and experience theatre at PenangPAC, of which Eastern & Oriental Bhd and The Actors Studio are the founding partners.
“PenangPAC is for everyone,” he said of the centre that is located on level four in Q1 block at Straits Quay.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix & video by Alissala Thian