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exiting from one left and one right entrance may be too monotonous for a show. This is the case at SCV
which may cause the show to be a bit dull. Encore Malacca has a better approach to deal with this, with
the existence of the rotating platform.
Meanwhile, audience to stage distance should also be considered when presenting a
performance. The farthest the audience located in the auditorium; it is unlikely for them to have
immersive experience while watching the performance. In a show, the performers need be seen to satisfy
the audience (Ahmed & Islam, 2004). The farthest distance should be limited to one’s eye capability.
Auditoriums for drama performances should have a depth not over than 22.5 metre (Ahmed & Islam,
2004). This will allow the audience to see the performers facial expression and small gestures. In a grand
opera and dance halls, the depth should not be over than 37.5 metre as these types of performances
usually use a bigger gesture (Ahmed & Islam, 2004). Since all of the cultural performances are highlighting
dances, the current audience to stage distance for all auditoriums are acceptable. Each cultural
performance has their own uniqueness that makes the audience enjoy the show even if they are at the
back of the auditorium. For instance, the ‘Alu Alu’ ethnic dance using bamboos at SCV, the water feature
at Encore Malacca and acrobatic gestures at Rainforest Fantasy Putrajaya. These big gestures allow the
audience to see them from the back.
Seating arrangement will determine whether the audience able to have a wholesome experience
during the show. There is various arrangement that can done. However, staggered seating arrangement
can give maximum visibility to the audience which will affect the performance blocking. Using the non-
staggered seating will give the audience a smaller vertical viewing angle (Ahmed & Islam, 2004). The non-
staggered seating has a flattening effect, and it gets worse for the audiences that seat at the back. As
discussed, all the auditorium utilized staggered seating. SCV and Encore Malacca have a mix of both
seating. But the non-staggered seating is used only for a few rows at the front of the stage that have a
greater view of the performance.
Lastly, technology brings a new dimension to a cultural performance when it is used brilliantly.
Advanced technology in the auditorium can bring astonishing performance structure into a reality. Older
auditorium may need an upgrade in using technological tools other lightings, screen and more. For
instance, Encore Malacca has a greater technological feature as it was built few years back. The rotating
platform, projection mapping as well as water feature are the most notable enhancement to a basic
auditorium. These bring a meaningful experience for the audience. Since Rainforest Fantasy Putrajaya is
held in a non-fixed hall, they may add on more technological tools in future. This should also be the case
for SCV.

5. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, a lot of improvements are needed to elevate the cultural performance at SCV to
another level. The current auditorium design may be sufficient but in terms of the stage, entrance, and
exit, as well as technology, needs to be improved. By enhancing these features, the whole performance
structure for the cultural show at SCV could be improved. To start, Encore Malacca is a good example to
be followed in both auditorium design and performance structure. The elements of performance
structure in Rainforest Fantasy Putrajaya may be adapted to give a deeper meaning towards the cultural
show at SCV.

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