Mak Yong is a traditional acting combined dancing, singing, drama, romance and comedy in a single presentation. The theatre is believed to have originated from Kelantan several centuries ago. Most of Mak Yong's performances involved acting therefore no documentations were ever made, for the stories were usually memorized by a handful of actors, musicians and comedians who have performed the Mak Yong countless times.
A favourite form of entertainment in the palace courtyard of Kelantan and Patani. Malaysian Mak Yong is arguably different from its counterparts in Indonesia, Thailand and old Cambodia in terms of stories, music, dances as well as the costumes used.
The performing troupe usually has four leading actresses who would play the parts of the King, the Hero, the Queen and the Heroine. Other actresses played the parts of the palace maids or 'dayangs' or even the roles of prince as well as princesses, while the men were usually given the parts as the comedians.
Two of these men would play lead comedians, while the others would act as supporting roles.Acting similarly as court jesters with their witty and astute antics, the comedians also act as narrators during the performance, constantly letting the audience know what is about to take place next. These men are known as the 'Peran' and are considered as having the most important roles in a Mak Yong performance.
Combining all the elements of human emotion such as sadness, humour, anger, joy and love, the actors and actresses expressed them beautifully throughout the entire show, at the same time, flawlessly reciting their lines in Kelantanese.
The performance took place in a spacious hall where most of the audience sat on the floor. The actors and actresses sat against the wall and when it was their turn to act out a scene, they would just proceed to the middle of the hall and start acting.
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