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