Debut of Beijing Opera in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Chinese theater. Was it ever seen in Jakarta? Not during the decades when everything Chinese was banned in Indonesia.

Still, it would be doubtful that even during the days when Chinese theater was allowed, there would not have been performances of the kind that will be seen today through Sept. 16 at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, i.e. performances of Beijing Opera. The Chinese in Indonesia are mostly from China's southern provinces, so even during the twenties and thirties this type of Chinese dramatic art would rarely, if ever, have been seen in Indonesia. Thus the Hebei Beijing Opera is making its Indonesian debut during the current Jakarta International Festival of the Performing Arts.

Just as Italian opera is not confined exclusively to Italy or the Italians, the term Beijing Opera has less to do with geographic location than with style. The 20-strong troupe, comprising of actors, actresses, musicians, and a make-up expert, is a part of the Beijing opera company from the city of Hebei. It was established in 1953 under the name Lizhong Experimental Theater, which was later changed to Hebei Beijing Opera.

Beijing Opera was born 200 years ago during the Ching dynasty and, according to Zhou Bin, cultural attache at the embassy of the People's Republic of China, there are two types of this performing art: one stresses music and singing, the other stresses action.

The action-packed type enjoys the most popularity abroad, mainly due to the enormous impact of kung fu movies. Just as some dance forms have evolved from martial arts like karate and Indonesia's pencak silat, the presentations by the Hebei Beijing Opera incorporate kung fu.

The troupe has made extensive tours outside China and some of its performers have even gained stardom; like the two female artists Zhang Huifang, Yuan Ruifang and the male star, Wei Jianping. All three will perform in Jakarta. The show will feature fragments from operas popular in China including Zhao Jun Leaves the Border, To Stop Horses, The Goddess Tian Nu Scatters Flowers, Crossroad of San Cha Kou and Picking Up a Jade Bracelet. Most of the artists are graduates from the Chinese Drama Institute and Hebei Arts School.

Tickets for the performances are priced at Rp 75,000, Rp 50,000 and Rp 35,000. The Rp 75,000 price applies to the first night only, and includes a banquet.

-- Gus Kairupan