'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.