Madu Tiga Meets The Philharmonic: Malaysia’s Most Beloved Comedy Returns

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra is bringing P. Ramlee’s 1964 comedy classic Madu Tiga back to life in an unprecedented way—screening the beloved film on the big screen while performing its entire score live.

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There’s something deliciously audacious about watching a 1964 comedy about a man juggling three wives while a full orchestra plays every note, every beat, every comedic sting in real time.

And yet, that’s exactly what the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) is offering: a chance to experience Tan Sri P. Ramlee‘s beloved Madu Tiga on the big screen, accompanied by live music at the Dewan Filharmonik PETRONAS (DFP).

The response has been so enthusiastic that the MPO has added a second date.

The concerts will now take place on Friday, 23 January and Saturday, 24 January 2026, both at 8:00 PM.

Tickets go on sale today (19 December) at noon.

A Classic Reimagined

Madu Tiga (literally “Three Honeys,” though the English title settles for the more straightforward “Three Wives”) is a masterclass in comedic timing and social satire.

Directed by and starring P. Ramlee—Malaysia’s most iconic filmmaker, actor, and composer—the film follows Jamil, a man whose decision to take on a second and third wife spirals into delightful chaos when all three women discover each other’s existence.

The film won Best Comedy at the 1964 Asian Film Festival in Taipei, and it remains a touchstone of Malay cinema.

Its humour is sharp, its performances are pitch-perfect, and its songs—penned by P. Ramlee and sung by him and his wife Saloma—are evergreen.

Numbers like Pukul Tiga Pagi (Three in the Morning) and Selamat Pengantin Baru (Congratulations to the Newlyweds) have become part of the cultural fabric.

Why Live Music Changes Everything

This isn’t the first time the MPO has paired live orchestration with film.

Over the years, they’ve accompanied screenings of Harry Potter, La La Land, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ratatouille, Casablanca, Home Alone, and even Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. In 2017, they performed the score for the Malaysian sports drama Ola Bola.

In 2017, they performed the score for the Malaysian sports drama Ola Bola.

But there’s something particularly poignant about hearing P. Ramlee’s music—composed decades ago, recorded on analogue equipment, beloved by generations—played by a world-class orchestra in a state-of-the-art concert hall.

It’s a collision of eras, a reminder that great art transcends its medium.

Conductor Ahmad Muriz Che Rose will lead the MPO through the film’s score, synchronising every musical cue with the on-screen action.

So if you’ve ever wanted to introduce your kids to P. Ramlee, or if you’ve been looking for an excuse to dress up and go to the Philharmonic, or if you want to hear Madu Tiga the way it was meant to be heard—with a full orchestra, in a concert hall, surrounded by people who love it as much as you do—this is your chance.

Don’t miss it.