Hantu Kaki Kotor

22-25 February 2024

Presented by Teater Ekamatra

Directed by Irsyad Dawood

Devised and Performed by Ali Mazrin, Deonn Yang, Irsyad Dawood, and Sofie Buligis

Hantu Kaki Kotor is a Malay-language children’s musical based on Sharon Ismail’s book The Ghost with Dirty Feet.

The runt of the litter is always the first one to be given away. Everyone knew that, thought Ali. So when the family fell on hard times, Ali was naturally worried. After all, that was how he ended up in this family, with his adoptive parents and siblings.

But Ali was a little boy with a plan. His aim - to win three months' supply of rice for his family by catching The King who lived in the kampong's rivers. He thought if he could pull his weight in the family, then he would be safe.

Ali's story is about finding his place in a family who had "chosen" their children from other families. And that whatever happens, families stick together.

“It tugged my heartstrings, bringing me back to my childhood, kampong days, when families and neighbours stood by one another, when children could get away with mischief and pranks. When life was lived on a shoe-string budget.”

- R Chandran Rama, Founder and Director at ACT 3 Theatrics

“The show was beautifully designed and executed by the team! I believe many Singaporeans from all walks of life will feel seen, heard and affirmed by this show - regardless of their age. I think it's wonderful that children today get to access work that opens their perspectives to the many ways a family may form and define themselves, all with the same unconditional familial love.”

- Audience Member