Formed in 2023 by “Orang Orang Drum Theatre” and “JB Drums”, the two drum troupes have combined to form one cohesive entity aimed at preserving and sharing the cultural artform of “24 Festive Drums”, in the heartland of Johor Bahru, where it was first founded. When touring together in 2017 across eight folk festivals in France, the members of both troupes performed collaborative pieces together, one of which “The Memories”, a story of ancestral migration and cultural identity, will also be showcased in “Drums: A New Beat Beckons”.

"Drums: A New Beat Beckons”, which premieres in October 2024, uses beats and rhythms to evoke emotions, summon memories and recall histories. Guided by the 24 solar terms and the rich heritage of traditional drums, “Drums” traces the changes in life perspectives over time.
The artists deconstruct and recombine landmark 24 Festive Drums performance pieces from past decades to enable the audience to witness the progression of the art form. They then draw their gaze back to their immediate surroundings, the realities of living in a multicultural environment, to explore what a “new” beat would sound like.
New generations of drummers are living heritage practitioners. “Drums” not only represents a record of how drums and the drummers’ identities are interwoven, but is also an extrapolation of the unwritten future. Talented guest director Yeo Lyle leads 24 drummers in harnessing rich traditions, movements and sounds to showcase the evolution of 24 Festive Drums, challenge boundaries, create bold new narratives, and showcase fresh interpretations of this traditional art form.