EKI back with 'Lovers and Liars' cabaret

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The dance company known for its raunchy productions -- Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia (EKI) -- is back with its musical cabaret, Lovers and Liars, opening on Feb. 27.

Set against a traditional Javanese wayang (leather puppet) performance, the intriguing tale of three beautiful sinden (Javanese female singers) unfolds.

City girl Maura, played by young actress Rachel Maryam, has the misfortune of falling in love with conservative gamelan player Kenthong, played by new generation dalang (Javanese puppet master) Nanang Hape.

When it comes to love, modern trends and traditional values do not mix well. Maura and the musician find this out for themselves, and it takes several other love affairs to finally bring them together ... only to discover that Maura was involved with Kenthong's best friend.

Another sinden, Ella, played by Cornelia Agatha of the Si Doel fame, discovers she is pregnant after an affair with Chinese boyfriend Jeffri Chong -- played by EKI's Hendy Leonathan -- goes too far, too fast.

Not ready for the responsibility of being parents, and with marriage not an option because of resistance from Chong's parents, they couple agree that an abortion is the best option. The problem is, Jeffri thinks that Ella should cope with the ordeal on her own. And, Ella realizes that Jeffri is less of a man she thought he was.

Cassandra, played by EKI's principle dancer Takako Leen, has a husband who dotes on her, and yet she's still not satisfied. Then one day, Jimmy (played by trumpeter Eric Awuy) comes into her life...

The personal affairs of the three sinden are all linked with the center story of the venerable Dalang Ki Sujiwo Tejo, who plays himself. But even the magisterial Dalang is controlled by his wife, Bu Dalang, played by jazz singer Bertha.

This racy story of hidden passions and downright lies is cleverly accompanied by the jazz arrangements of Oni Krisnerwinto and Hypersax & Co.

Lovers and Liars will play on Feb. 27 and Feb. 28 at Jakarta's newest performance hall, Balai Sarbini in The Plaza Semanggi, South Jakarta, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost between Rp 100,000 (US$12) and Rp 300,000 and are available at EKI (021-83790613, 8313029), QB World Bookstores (021-72798071), Tarra Megastore-Disctarra (021-58902290, 5639117), Aquarius Mahakam (021-7208413) and at Hard Rock FM (021-3908471).