'King Lear' goes East

'King Lear' goes East

JAKARTA (JP): In a very unusual artistic event a group of
actors from six countries will perform an Asian version of King
Lear early next month.

The three-day production, starting on Feb. 5, will take place
at Teater Tanah Airku in the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah compound,
East Jakarta.

The story of Lear, written by the Japanese Rio Kishida and
produced by the Japan Foundation is based on William
Shakespeare's work King Lear. It is a story about three daughters
who must express their love of their father Lear and who all
encounter tragedy. But this new version of the old drama,
directed by the Singaporean Ong Ken Sen, is a spectacle which
comprises actors representing the languages, music and cultures
of Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, China and Thailand.

The lead roles of Lear and his eldest daughters are played by
a Japanese Noh actor and an opera performer from Beijing, whereas
the role of the youngest daughter is played by a Thai traditional
dancer. All actors will speak in their own language and perform
the arts of their countries.

The combination of actors from all over Asia with Indonesian
choreography, Indonesian gamelan music, new wave Asian music,
Chinese opera and songs of the Javanese, Minangkabau and Malay
peoples should make this performance a fascinating event.

Tickets are available at Rp 10,000, Rp 20,000 and Rp 40,000
from the Japan Cultural Center (520-1266), Teater Tanah Airku
(8779-3369), and other places.