Eastern & Oriental Berhad
Level 3A (Annexe), Menara Milenium
8 Jalan Damanlela
50490 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: +603 2095 6868
Fax: +603 2095 9898
Kuala Lumpur, 20 October 2010 -- Eastern & Oriental Berhad (E&O) has scored another first at its soon-to-be-opened Straits Quay retail marina – Penang’s first Performing Arts Centre will open its doors there in 2011, giving Penangites the opportunity to enjoy a whole variety performing arts activities ranging from dance, theatre and music right through to art, photography and other artistic shows.
Like the successful The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (klpac) in Kuala Lumpur, the Performing Arts Centre at Straits Quay will be managed by The Actors Studio (TAS), helmed by renowned performing arts couple Joe Hasham and Dato’ Faridah Merican.
This was announced today at a signing ceremony between E&O and TAS, witnessed by Penang Chief Minister, Lim Guan Eng, and follows an announcement in August this year that Straits Quay will be home to Malaysia’s second Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, after the flagship centre at the Royal Selangor headquarters in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.
In making the announcement, E&O managing director Dato’ Terry Tham said, “At E&O, we believe in creating distinctive lifestyle experiences. Seri Tanjung Pinang, with its unique architecture and lifestyle by the sea is one such experience, as is Straits Quay, a festival retail marina like no other in Penang. It is only fitting to have the Straits Quay experience anchored by something as unique and experiential as a Performing Arts Centre.
“Faridah and Joe, and their team at The Actors Studio, have done a wonderful job of creating a living, working performing arts community in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, and we firmly believe that they will do the same for Penang. We are delighted to make it happen as part of E&O’s corporate contribution to the people of Penang. The island is rich in culture and heritage, and Penangites deserve a venue where these talents can be fittingly nurtured and showcased.”
The total investment cost to kick-start the setting up of the Performing Arts Centre is estimated at RM7.5 million. Of this, RM7.0 million will be funded by the E&O and the balance RM0.5 million by The Actors Studio.
Speaking at the event, TAS’ co-founder Dato’ Faridah Merican said, “This is our dream come true. It has always been one of my lifelong wishes to have a space like this in my hometown. Penang has always been at the forefront of the performing arts scene and with this spanking new arts centre, we can take it to a whole new level. We look forward to collaborating with all the wonderful artistes here. Our doors are always open.”
Describing the centre, Joe Hasham said the 22,000 sq ft centre would feature two theatres – a proscenium theatre that would seat 304, as well as an experimental theatre that would seat 150. Located on the 4th floor of Straits Quay, the centre would also feature a number of studios to be used for classes, rehearsals and practices, as well as a foyer, ticketing office and back-of-stage facilities.
He said the space would allow TAS to bring in international acts, as well as cultivate a calendar of locally-produced events, in addition to nurturing amongst Penangites a love for, and knowledge of, the rich world of performing arts.
Following the signing ceremony between E&O and TAS, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng went on a tour of Straits Quay, which will be opening its doors end-November.
Straits Quay, Penang’s first retail marina enclave, is a 12-acre festival retail centre and commercial development within Seri Tanjung Pinang, both developed by Eastern & Oriental Berhad. It is expected to be a welcome tourist attraction to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town, Penang, and will be a partner attraction to E&O’s two other signature properties on the island – the 125 year old E&O Hotel at Lebuh Farquhar, and the renowned Lone Pine Hotel at Batu Feringghi, which is set to re-open in November after undergoing extensive refurbishment.
In addition to being home to Penang’s 1st Performing Arts Centre and the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre, Straits Quay will also feature a comprehensive mix of outlets and attractions; from boutiques to bistros, seafood restaurants to seaside cafes, bars to boat rides, as well as a promenade, a performing arts centre and a learning centre. The 270,000 sq ft centre will house approximately 100 tenants, and will open for business end-November 2010.
About The E&O Group
Eastern & Oriental Berhad (collectively referred to as ‘The E&O Group’ or ‘E&O’) is listed on the Main-board of Bursa Malaysia. The Company is involved in three core business activities; namely hospitality and lifestyle, property development and property investment
E&O undertook the meticulous refurbishment and upgrading of the heritage Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel) as well as Lone Pine Hotel in the late 1990s. Since it was established by the Sarkies Brothers in 1885, E&O Hotel has charmed travellers from near and far, creating a reputation to match its sister hotels – The Raffles, Singapore and The Strand, Rangoon – also founded by the Sarkies. Lone Pine Hotel is the oldest beach hotel, established in 1948, along Penang Island’s famed Batu Ferringhi tourist belt. There are ongoing efforts to capitalise on the Group’s hotel management expertise and extend this service towards the management of a portfolio of hotels and resorts in Malaysia and around the region.