Butet in 'Jangan Menangis Indonesia'

Butet in 'Jangan Menangis Indonesia'

JAKARTA: Yogyakarta-born artist Butet Kertaredjasa, who soared to fame imitating former president Soeharto's voice in his staged monologs, will play a role in an upcoming show by Teater Mandiri.

"Butet is an artist whom I admire, and I have long desired to share a stage with him," playwright Putu Wijaya said as quoted by Antara news agency.

"I also admire mas (brother) Putu since our first meeting in 1984," Butet swiftly responded.

The two were speaking to journalists during a press conference in Jakarta. Putu's Teater Mandiri will stage a two-hour performance of Jangan Menangis Indonesia (Don't Cry Indonesia) for two consecutive days on July 15 and July 16 at Graha Bhakti Budaya in Taman Ismail Marzuki compound in Cikini, Central Jakarta.

Jangan Menangis portrays how the majority of Indonesians now live in fear and terror and grapple with an uncertain livelihood with shaky law enforcement, thriving corruption and vulnerable social support structures.

Butet revealed that Putu gave him freedom to explore his role in the play. "I am glad to have been given this kind of freedom to express myself." he said.

Butet, besides being well-known for his mastery of the monolog, has long been part of Yogyakarta-based, semi-traditional theater company, Gandrik.

But above all, he said that he owed a lot to his late father, dance maestro Bagong Kussudiardjo, who exposed him to arts and cultural activities from a tender age.

Besides Butet, Rieke Dyah Pitaloka, Yantho Kribo, Ucok Hutagaol, Wendy Nasution, Flen Herman and Umbu Tangela will also take part in the performance. -- Antara