Wijaya Kusuma Teater to stage 'Pengadilan'<\/p>\n
Emmy Fitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A crooked judiciary and cancer-like corruption as well as aloof
\nbureaucrats are not a new phenomena in this country.<\/p>\n
While activists and students have their own way of confronting
\nthe exasperating situation, many others tend to silently
\ncomplain, or in other words do nothing to address the ills.<\/p>\n
Playwright Tio Djarot has found his own way to address the
\nissues too. By recreating his recent production, Pengadilan (The
\nCourt), Tio expects his incriminations over the judicial system
\nin the country to be heard.<\/p>\n
Pengadilan was initially staged at the prestigious Gedung
\nKesenian Jakarta in January.<\/p>\n
This time the group will stage the play on Sept. 10 and 11, at
\nthe Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)'s Teater Kecil in Cikini, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I added some details because there are some new developments
\nin our legal sector. How can a big time corruptor get away with
\nhis wrongdoings? How can the executive (government) let it
\nhappen?\" Tio told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.<\/p>\n
In the 90-minute play, Tio's Wijaya Kusuma Teater brings a
\nportrayal of the country's badly managed judicial system and the
\nsurrounding social ills to the stage.<\/p>\n
\"There are three things I want to highlight in my play; the
\ndiscrimination, the courtroom mafia and the arrogant
\nbureaucrats,\" said Tio who is also a musician.<\/p>\n
Trials of a corruptor and a chicken thief -- the first and the
\nsecond scene, respectively -- are used to contrast the glaring
\noutcomes.<\/p>\n
Borrowing the Anglo-Saxon and U.S. courtroom styles, Tio
\nconverts the stage into a courtroom, complete with tables and
\nseats for judges and jury.<\/p>\n
\"Esthetically the Anglo-Saxon courtroom model is better than
\nours,\" Tio said, citing one of the practical reasons for picking
\nthe setting.<\/p>\n
Besides, the atmosphere in the Anglo-Saxon courtroom is more
\ndynamic than Indonesia's commonly dull and inflexible trial
\nprocedures.<\/p>\n
\"Some actors and actress will be among the spectators so it
\nlooks like there will be interruption from the audience,\" said
\nTio who is brother of filmmaker Slamet Rahardjo Djarot and
\nmusician-cum-politician Eros Djarot.<\/p>\n
Tio, who has taken minor roles in several local films
\nincluding Cry Justice (Marsinah) and Gie, said the play was aimed
\nat educating the public as he hoped people would see that
\n\"something can be done to end injustice and corruption\".<\/p>\n
\"If other countries can do that, why can't we?\"<\/p>\n
To support the performance Tio has approached the country's
\nCorruption Eradication Commission (KPK) which, he said, gave a
\npositive response. \"Not for financial support, we're completely
\nindependent,\" he swiftly added.<\/p>\n
In the future he wishes to bring the play to the House of
\nRepresentatives and the Indonesian Military Headquarters as he
\nsays \"All I want is high-ranking officials and military officers
\nto see this play. The temptation is always there for them to
\nmisuse their powers.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/wijaya-kusuma-teater-to-stage-pengadilan-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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