Walking into The Studio at the Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre last night, I wasn’t sure what to expect from a one-man show about food and memories. Two hours later, I left feeling like I had just shared a meal with an old friend—one who happens to be one of Malaysia’s most gifted storytellers.
Gavin Yap’s “FORK IT: One Man’s Journey Through Food & Memories” is nothing short of a triumph. As the inaugural production at this intimate new space, it set the bar extremely high.
A Story Only He Could Tell
Yap’s semi-autobiographical journey is deeply personal yet universally resonant. From his childhood move from London to Malaysia at age five, to his confused years as a mixed-heritage teen, to discovering acting through his father’s old dubbed Bruce Lee movies—every story is anchored by a specific dish that shaped his understanding of himself.
The show’s genius lies in its structure. Each memory is tied to a different food, creating a narrative that feels both organic and elegantly crafted. The culture shock of his first Kopitiam breakfast becomes a metaphor for the profound disorientation of displacement—and, ultimately, the gradual process of finding home. The student return to UK and a wonderful, loving, emotional relationship with his ‘Nan’, and Shepherd’s Pie.
Laughter That Lingers
Yap is, at his core, a comedian. The laughs came easily and often, but never cheaply. His timing is impeccable, his delivery warm and conversational. He has that rare gift of making a packed room feel like an intimate gathering. Gavin Yap has a stage presence comparable to that of a Matinee Idol. He’s good looking, which provides the audience with that quintessential eye candy.
But what struck me most was the emotional range. One moment we were laughing at his “questionable career choices,” the next he was reflecting on growing up around resentment and alcoholism with a vulnerability that felt almost too intimate to witness. The transitions were seamless, never jarring—proof of a performer who has truly mastered his material.
A New Home for Theatre
The Studio at JCPAC proves to be an ideal setting for this kind of work. The intimacy of the space allows Yap to connect with every single person in the audience. According to Yap himself, the lighting design at JCPAC is far more expressive than what was possible in the show’s previous runs at Bobo KL, and it shows. Each story had its own distinct visual language, enhancing the emotional beats without overwhelming them. Added to that, the dulcet tones of my ubiquitous friend Chacko Vadaketh making the pre-show announcements, brought a smile to my face.
The Verdict
“FORK IT” is more than just a one-man show about food. It’s a meditation on identity, family, and what it means to belong—all told through the lens of Malaysian food culture. Yap has taken nearly forty years to realise the profundity of that first Kopitiam breakfast, and in sharing that realisation, he invites us to reflect on our own defining meals, our own messy families, our own complicated journeys home.
If you have the chance to catch this show before it closes on Sunday September 13th, do not miss it. Tickets range from RM90 to RM150, and every sen is worth it.
Rating: ★★★★★
“I would like to invite Benedict Cumberbatch and Trevor Noah to see this show. They would both join the Gavin Yap Fan Club” – Dato’ Nicholas Pinder – Editor HOMME
“FORK IT: One Man’s Journey Through Food & Memories” runs until Sunday September 13th at The Studio, Jeffrey Cheah Performing Arts Centre, Sunway City Kuala Lumpur.
Tickets available at www.cloudjoi.com.
