Jit Murad's Women: A Conversation with Actors

Celebrated annually on March 8, International Women’s Day (IWD) honours the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women across all fields.

Dramalab presents this special webinar brings together theatre practitioners across generations (and countries) to reflect on Jit Murad’s lasting legacy—especially his gift for crafting dynamic, complex female roles in his storytelling. 

As part of JitFest 2025, we recognize Jit Murad’s unparalleled ability to write rich, multidimensional female characters—women who are witty, vulnerable, fierce, and unforgettable. His plays continue to inspire generations of actresses, offering them roles that challenge, empower, and resonate deeply with audiences.

This month, we shine a spotlight on the women of Jit’s world, bringing together the actresses who have embodied them on stage and screen in a special webinar discussion.

Join us as we celebrate the legacy of Jit Murad’s female characters and the incredible women who bring them to life.

MODERATOR

Susan Philip is an Associate Professor in the English Department at the University of Malaya. She has published extensively on theatre in journals such as Asian Theatre Journal, Australasian Drama Studies, and Journal of Commonwealth Literature, as well as on digital media, webcomics, and crime fiction. Her work also appears in Making Heritage in Malaysia and various books on theatre.

PANEL SPEAKERS 

Bernice Chauly is a writer, poet, and world builder. She was part of the original cast of Spilt Gravy on Rice as Kalsom for the stage in 2001 (Kuala Lumpur) and 2003 (Singapore), as well as for the film released in 2022. She worked extensively in the creative industries in Malaysia for over three decades, and is currently writing the AAA open world video game, Contraband, in development with Xbox and Avalanche Studios. She lives and works in Stockholm.

Juliana Ibrahim is a Malaysian actress known for her versatile performances across film, television, and theatre. Juliana’s portrayal of Zaitun in Split Gravy on Rice was a defining moment in her acting career, earning her the Best Supporting Actress award at the Malaysian Film Festival in 2022 (FFM-32).

Lin Jaafar was the lead actor, alongside Jit Murad, in the original productions of Gold Rain & Hailstones in 1993, 1998, 1999 (in Singapore), and 2006. She has also appeared in Jit Murad’s The Storyteller. Lin currently lives and works in Hong Kong, having moved there in 1998.

Liza Othman, known for her work in Malaysian theatre, TV, and film, returned to painting in 2016, 35 years after leaving her Pre-Diploma in Art & Design at ITM Dungun. She was part of Visits as Nurse in 2001. 

Sofia Jane began her career in the late ’80s as a model and TV commercial actor before rising to fame in U-Wei’s Perempuan, Isteri dan Jalang (1992). She won Best Actress at the Boh Cameronian Awards (2014) for Laut Lebih Indah Dari Bulan. In 2002, she played Sister-in-Law in Visits and will return in June 2025 as The Nurse. After a hiatus, she recently appeared in One Cent Thief, Mencari Ramlee, and Maryam which she won Best Actress Award in Italy.

Paula Malai Ali moved to KL from Brunei in 1995 to pursue acting, making her debut in Colorblind and later playing Joy in The Storyteller (1996). She performed extensively with ICT before transitioning to TV hosting on TV3 in 2000, later joining Channel V, ESPN, and Fox Sports Asia, where she was a senior anchor for 20 years. Now based in Brunei, she focuses on motherhood and life beyond the screen.

*The webinar link will be emailed to your registered email address with Cloudjoi a day before the event, please make sure to check your email.