First world-class theater to be built here next year

JAKARTA (JP): The construction of the country's first international playhouse will begin next May, announced Wiyogo Atmodarminto, chairman of the Yayasan Kesenian Jakarta, a local art foundation.

"The ground breaking will mark the total renovation of Taman Ismail Marzuki," Wiyogo said yesterday, referring to the art complex in Cikini, Central Jakarta. The new theater will be built on the site of the complex's open-air theater.

He said that the new playhouse will have a state-of-the-art sound system and a capacity of 1,500 seats.

Currently the city's only playhouse, the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta in Central Jakarta, seats 460

"We have to be serious in building this theater. We will use foreign consultants to prepare the audio facilities but the architectural design is being prepared by local consultants," said Pia Alisjahbana, a member of the foundation.

"The playhouse project will cost Rp 60 billion and it will take three years to construct it," Wiyogo said.

Wiyogo, a former Jakarta governor, said the public's appreciation of art is growing and that it is time for the city to have adequate facilities to accommodate the growing demand, he said.

Recalling the numbers attracted to the recently-concluded Art Summit '95, Wiyogo said the 27-year-old Taman Ismail Marzuki is no longer adequate as an arts center.

Renovation of the entire complex is expected to cost Rp 200 billion and to take 10 years to complete.

"Everything in TIM, including the art exhibition center and the Jakarta Art Institute campus, will be reformed to meet international standards," he said.

The renovation of TIM will be jointly financed by the city administration and the public.

"The foundation will hold a fund raising drive to collect money from the public," he said, adding that donors making large contributions will have the opportunity to have their name put to certain facilities.

"Or they can simply donate money to the foundation," he said.(yns)