The Swimming Instructor

“When I let go of all the air in my lungs,
I sink to the bottom of the darkness…
I see the bubbles rising, forming a trail
…all the way back up to the light.”

Award-winning Singaporean playwright Desmond Sim’s The Swimming Instructor is back to make a splash again!

This sizzling poolside drama revolves around a no-nonsense swimming instructor called Johan who, unbeknownst to him, becomes an object of affection (and desire!). Enter Jan, a rich girl with little direction in life, and Dave, an ad exec who is extremely regimented down to the number of laps he swims. The trio form a quick and unique bond over suntan lotion and past secrets. 

Will Johan’s admirers discover what’s lurking beneath his seemingly calm surface? Can Johan teach them a thing or two about life aside from a few swimming strokes?

Strap on your life vest and be ready to be swept by the undercurrents of love, lust and loss in this funny yet moving tale directed by Christopher Ling (Best Direction, BOH Cameronian Arts Award 2012 & 2023). Last staged at klpac in 2009, the upcoming staging features original music composed by Marco George with sound design by Kirthana Kuhendran and Scenography by Yusman Mokhtar. 

MEDIA REVIEW
“Witty script! Hilarious and charming! Heartbreakingly poignant…” THE FLYING INKPOT

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TICKETS

Category	Early Bird (Ends 16 Nov, limited quantity)	Regular (17 Nov onwards)
Cat 1: Patron of The Arts*	RM 100	RM 100
Cat 2: Regular	RM 40	RM 68
Cat 3: Concession (Student / PWDs / Senior > 60) **	–	RM 48
Bundle of 2: Lovebirds	–	RM 120
Bundle of 3: Threesome	–	RM 150

PROMOTIONS

Category	Regular
Eslite Malaysia White Card Members# / Yamatatsu Customers	5% off regular-priced ticket
Eslite Malaysia Gold / Black Card Members# / CITY+ Listeners / Open Table & Bar	10% off regular-priced ticket

About klpac Connect
klpac Connect is an access and development initiative supported by Yayasan Sime Darby aimed at improving access to the arts through various amenities and programmes for families with young children, students / schools, persons with disabilities, talents and the general public. Find out more at bit.ly/klpacconnect.

Sponsored Student Tickets (part of klpac Connect)
Under klpac Connect, schools may register their interest to obtain sponsored student tickets for selected shows free of charge. Due to limited availability, tickets are not guaranteed – first-timers from public schools and those from rural / out-of-state locations prioritised. This show is part of the klpac Connect programme. Register your interest here bit.ly/klpac-connect-registration.

Buy Tickets 
Online Purchase: https://www.cloudjoi.com/
No phone sales and over the counter sales. E-tickets only.  

Enquiry / Concession Booking
WhatsApp +6018 227 7212

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Scriptwriting Workshop: Writing A Memorable Short Play by Desmond Sim
The Swimming Instructor playwright, Desmond Sim (MA, National University of Singapore & Winner for Best Original Script at DBS Life! Theatre Awards), will be conducting a 3-day scriptwriting workshop at TAS Academy @ klpac. Perfect for beginners!

Date: 3 Dec 2025 (Wed) @ 7.00pm-10.00pm, 6 Dec (Sat) @ 10.00am – 1.00pm, 7 Dec (Sun) @ 7.30pm – 10.30pm
Venue: Studio, klpac
Age: 16 year old and above
Class Size: 6 – 12 pax
Enquiry: WhatsApp / Call TAS Academy at +60 18 266 3383

Category	Early Bird (Ends 16 Nov)	Regular (17 Nov onwards)
3-day Workshop for New TASA Student	RM 600*	RM 650*
3-day Workshop for TASA Returning Student	RM 550	RM 600
Bundle Package 1 (1 ticket to The Swimming Instructor + 3-day Scriptwriting Workshop) for New TASA Student	RM 640*	RM 690*
Bundle Package 2 (1 ticket to The Swimming Instructor + 3-day Scriptwriting Workshop) for TASA Returning Student	RM 590	RM 640

*Inclusive of a RM50 registration fee for new TASA students.

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ABOUT The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat

Since its inception in 1989, The Actors Studio has been presenting groundbreaking theatre in Malaysia. In 2006, it created The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat arm to bridge the gap between the arts and the people in line with the National Arts and Culture Department’s efforts to ‘merakyatkan seni’. The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat’s inaugural project was Alfian Sa’at’s “Anak Bulan di Kampong Wa’ Hassan” which toured to five villages in Peninsular Malaysia. Since then, it has re-staged many classics such as “Philadelphia, Here I Come!”, “Uda dan Dara” and “Rashomon”. It has also revived interest in traditional art forms through productions like “A Night of Cantonese Opera” and “Mak Yong Titis Sakti”. The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat has also been a key driver behind the development of new content. It has premiered works such as “The Taste of Water”, “Kandang” (based on George Orwell’s Animal Farm), a BM version of Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” and “Dato’ Seri” (based on Macbeth). In addition to on-going series like “Don’t Let…” and “Dancebox” to promote new content, it also initiated The New Play Project for emerging playwrights. In 2016, it mounted a year-long Shakespeare 400 season. Two productions “Shakespeare Goes Bollywood” and “Richard III” was named the “Best of 2016” by the BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. Richard III won 6 other awards. The Actors Studio Seni Teater Rakyat continues to bring quality and accessible theatre with a strongly Malaysian voice. The Actors Studio just celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019.

THE TEAM

Creatives & Crew Team List
Executive Producer: Dato’ Dr. Faridah Merican
Artistic Director: Joe Hasham OAM

Director: Christopher Ling
Playwright: Desmond Sim
Cast: Andy Poon, Kai Chalmers, Tania Ashwini

Composer: Marco George
Sound Designer: Kirthana Kuhendran
Scenography: Yusman Mokhtar
Assistant Production Stage Manager: Jech Wong
Stage Crew: Lakshmi Ahrunagiry
Technicians: Mohd Helmi Md Khairi, Yogeshwaraan A/L Shandre Sakran, Zulkifli Bin Md Saleh (e-Joy)