EKI dancers explore passion of kisses
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A kiss, between friends, lovers, mother and child. A kiss that evokes different feelings, passions, emotions and sensations.
Once again Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia (EKI) Dance Company will explore and exploit the most sensual of man's senses, the kiss, in its upcoming production titled Gallery of Kisses.
"As long as there is war in the world, as long as there is hatred and people kill other people, EKI will continue to explore the themes of love and passion in its productions," EKI choreographer and director Rusdy Rukmarata said in a recent media conference.
Gallery of Kisses will open on Sept. 12 at Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki, at 8 p.m., and will last until Sept. 14.
The show will be the first production where EKI uses its own script, created by Yanusa Nugroho and based on the personal experiences of Rusdy and Sujiwo Tejo.
The production is also supported by harpist Maya Hasan, singer Syaharani, actress Rachel Sayidina, actor Rudy Wowor, and presenters Indra Safera, Nico Siahaan and Farhan.
Gallery of Kisses is a montage of dance, song and acting reverberating around the family of businessman Bambang Samodera (Sujiwo Tejo) and Maharani Wulandari (Maya Hasan).
Bambang's and Rani's marriage is one of convenience. Married to someone in his own circle, there is no love lost between them. Bambang yearns for the love and affection of Sonya Rumondang (Syaharani), while Rani finds solace in charity work and warmth in her relationship with show director Nyoman Satria (Rusdy Rukmarata).
The couple's two children, crippled Wicaksana Samodera (Anton JC) and seductive Laras Raniputri (Rachel Sayidina), are caught up in this turmoil.
Distraught at his own helplessness, Wicaksana finds a father- figure in philosopher Oom (uncle) Benny (Tommy Awuy) who is also a friend of the family. Unbeknown to the family, Oom Benny harbors love for the crippled boy and counsels Wicaksana on the uniqueness of homosexual relationships.
Meanwhile, flirtatious Laras is enjoying the love and attention she gets from reporter Wawan Winata (Farhan), while preparing for her own wedding with her father's right-hand man Roy Bangun (Nico Siahaan).
"Why are you shy? Why should you be shy with me? A kiss is usual isn't it?" Laras says after a kissing scene between Wawan and her. Wawan admonishes her for being so free with her kiss and toying with his feelings when Laras is about to be married to someone else.
Highlighting all this are dance sequences from EKI's own dancers and the jazzy beat of Oni Krisnerwinto's music.
To sum it all up, Gallery of Kisses is all about love or lack of it, as cafe owner Oom Piet (Rudi Wowor) aptly describes in one of the scenes:
"Love is magic, you talk to her, you take her home, you f**k her and the next day she disappears. It's magic".
Tickets for Gallery of Kisses costs Rp 25,000, Rp 50,000, and Rp 75,000, can be purchased from EKI 021-8312377, 8313029, TIM 021-334740, 3154087, Tarra Mega Store - Mall Taman Anggrek 021- 5639117, Disc Tarra - Plaza Senayan 021-5725710, Disc Tarra - Pondok Indah Mall 021-7506989, Ibu Dibyo 021-3100386, 331178, or Detik.com. Is the "d" in detik capitalized?