Teater Sae's 'Hamlet' depicts country's tragic downfall<\/p>\n
By Rita A. Widiadana<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): After a five-year absence from the local theater
\nstage, Teater Sae decided to present its newest production, a
\ntragedy of politics, out of concern for the country's chaotic
\nsocial, economical and political conditions.<\/p>\n
The play Hamlet Menjelang Pemilu: Petunjuk Petunjuk Menjadi
\nPresiden (Hamlet Prior to the Elections: a Guide to Become a
\nPresident) will be staged in the middle of the campaigning period
\nat Gedung Kesenian Jakarta from May 28 through May 30.<\/p>\n
Eko D. Zenah, Teater Sae's production manager, said through
\ntheater work, the group's members wanted to share feelings of
\nagony, their contribution to shape a brighter future of the
\ncountry which is now facing complicated problems.<\/p>\n
He said it was difficult to stage a play during the crisis in
\nwhich people's attentions were averted to political and economic
\nissues.<\/p>\n
\"But, we think that this is the right time for us to show our
\ndeep concern, to remind people of what is really happening in our
\ncountry,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
Hamlet , written by Afrizal Malna, tells the story of Hamlet
\nalias Achmad who is desperately struggling to fight a devilish
\nmonarch.<\/p>\n
The 90-minute play, directed by Busro Yoga, is inspired by
\nShakespeare's Hamlet.<\/p>\n
Afrizal uses only a few of Shakespeare's characters like
\nHamlet (played by Wahyu), Horatio (Syaeful, a member of Teater
\nKubur) and Ophelia.<\/p>\n
\"This is a tragic play but not in the Shakespearean
\ntradition,\" Afrizal explained.<\/p>\n
Teater Sae's Hamlet, he said, mostly focuses on tragedy which
\nbefalls a country and its people because of a ruthless,
\nincompetent and blood-thirsty regime.<\/p>\n
\"The play is rich in social and political nuances. It portrays
\nthe real situation in our country,\" explained poet Afrizal, who
\nis now active in a non-governmental organization called the Urban
\nPoor Consortium (UPC).<\/p>\n
Hamlet deals with topical issues like mass violence,
\nabduction, serial killings, corruption, campaign and the general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
Afrizal went on to say that the play was written particularly
\nto welcome the campaigning period and the coming general election
\nin June.<\/p>\n
\"We consider this period very important. It might be a climax
\nor an anti-climax of the nation's tragedy,\" he noted.<\/p>\n
Today, political parties are mushrooming and are fighting each
\nother to seize power. Power means money and full control of the
\npeople, he said.<\/p>\n
\"There are a lot of political clowns, corrupt and greedy
\nleaders. They are just like theatrical characters on a real
\npolitical stage,\" Afrizal said.<\/p>\n
He said that he and probably a lot more people are now
\nconfused and pessimistic over the future of the country.<\/p>\n
The coming election is expected to become a tool to change the
\nfate of our people and to get rid of the present illegitimate and
\noppressive regime.<\/p>\n
\"But how can people elect leaders coming from unknown and
\nabsurd parties. We call them partai jadi-jadian,\" invisible
\nparties,\" Afrizal said.<\/p>\n
Teater Sae's Hamlet represents the confused generation. The
\ngeneration which has always been repressed and cheated by the
\nauthority.<\/p>\n
Afrizal deliberately creates a dark and gloomy atmosphere in
\nthis play, a trademark of Teater Sae.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment in l983, Teater Sae is known as an
\nexperimental theater group. The group presented several noted
\nworks like Biografi (Biography), Migrasi Ruang Tamu (Migration in
\nthe Living Room) and Pertumbuhan di atas Meja Makan (Growth on a
\nDinner Table).<\/p>\n
\"This play resembles our own situation. We are now living in a
\ndark tunnel. There is still no ray of hope,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The coming performance will involve 30 people from Teater Sae
\nand other groups.<\/p>\n
Eko said that this time, Teater Sae invited theater people to
\ntake part in Hamlet. \"It is collaborative theater work among
\ntalented artists,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Among the Hamlet' crews are Dianto, an artist from the Bandung
\nInstitute of Technology, dance choreographer Benny, Sonny
\nSumarsono and Alex Iskandar who are responsible for stage and
\nlighting. The play also involves artists from Teater Bandar
\nJakarta and Teater Kubur.<\/p>\n
Afrizal said that theater people must join forces to create
\nquality and continuous work.<\/p>\n
There are a number of problems that have been hampering the
\ndevelopment of theater in Indonesia, he said.<\/p>\n
A lack of secure financial support, infrastructure facilities
\nand new talent are among the crucial obstacles, he added.<\/p>\n
\"In the past, we had a lot of theater venues like Teater Arena
\nand Teater Tertutup at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center. They are
\nclosed now,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Money is another problem. \"It is difficult to find sponsors
\nwho can finance our productions. So far, Teater Sae relies on
\nindividuals who are willing to spend their own money to support
\nus,\" Eko added.<\/p>\n
Despite all the problems, Teater Sae and other theater groups
\nin Indonesia must keep on working in voicing people's
\nconsciences, he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/teater-saes-hamlet-depicts-countrys-tragic-downfall-1447893297",
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