EKI to stage 'Battle of Love, When Love Turns Sour'

Hera Diani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an endeavor to deliver something innovative, the Eksotika Karmawibhangga Indonesia (EKI) dance company will fuse music and film in its next performance called Battle of Love, When Love Turns Sour.

In the three-day performance starting April 31 (Tuesday), dance, music and theater will be integrated with a comedy movie screened on stage.

Performed by around 20 EKI performers, dances are a blend of modern dance as well as traditional elements from local dances. The music, meanwhile, is taken from the third album of singer/actor/puppet master Sujiwo Tejo's Syair Dunia Maya (Poetry of an Illusory World).

As with previous performances by the dance company, the shows are star studded, with actresses and singers like Ayu Dyah Pasha, Ingrid Widjanarko, Melissa Karim, and Sita.

Created and directed by EKI co-founder, dancer/choreographer Rusdy Rukmarata, the 90-minute performance works around a conflict between divorced couple Sujiwo Tejo (played by puppet master Nanang Hape) and Tantri Wong (Melissa).

They fight over the custody of their only daughter Nala, with each thinking that s/he deserves custody more than the other, but then sacrificing Nala's love in the process.

Wrapped in comedy, the court scenes dominate the performance, with dance, song and live music, as well as the film mixed in.

The show will be staged at Gedung Kesenian Jakarta, Central Jakarta on 8 p.m., with extra screenings at 4 p.m. on June 1 for students.

Tickets prices are Rp 75,000 and Rp 150,000, except for the June 1 show for students of only Rp 50.000. Tickets are available at EKI (Tel. 021-8312377/8313029/83790618), Gedung Kesenian Jakarta (021-3441892) and www.rajakarcis.com.

All profits from ticket sales will go to the Titian Penerus Bangsa Foundation.