Miss Tjitjih folk theater to perform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Veri Harjono, a securities company employee will
\ncelebrate her birthday with a \"Miss Tjitjih\" performance for her
\nfriends.<\/p>\n
Veri announced yesterday that the party performance is to
\npromote public awareness of the Sundanese folk theater which is
\nfading out.<\/p>\n
Veri Harjono has sent 150 friends and The Jakarta Post a six-
\npage printed invitation, which explains the history of the \"Miss
\nTjitjih\" form of theater.<\/p>\n
Quoting various sources, she said the folk theater started in
\n1936 in West Java, survived several decades and reached its peak
\nof popularity between 1950 and 1970 after the troupe presenting
\nthe performances moved to Jakarta. This theater troupe has been
\nhonored with the Wijaya Kusuma award by President Soekarno.<\/p>\n
Since the 1970s, the fortunes of this form of folk theater
\nhave waned. The troupe was forced to move around to various
\ndifferent locations in the city, including one site the Angke
\nrailway station, where nobody was willing to watch them.<\/p>\n
Out of concern, the city administration gave them a place to
\nperform on Jl. Kabel Pendek, Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta, in
\n1987. They put on put on performances there even now, but face
\nfinancial difficulties due to a lack of viewers.<\/p>\n
\"They play every night, but nobody watches them except for on
\nSaturdays, when the house is full,\" said Veri who lives nearby.<\/p>\n
She said the troupe is wholly dependent on the folk for its
\nlivelihood.<\/p>\n
Veri will celebrate her birthday from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on
\nFriday at the theater.<\/p>\n
Veri will serve refreshments at the party, but guests will
\nhave to pay Rp 2,000 each for theater tickets, which is Veri's
\nway of providing what support she can for the troupe. (jsk)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/miss-tjitjih-folk-theater-to-perform-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}