Lots going on in theater, dance, music at JakArt 2001

By Nuraini Razak

JAKARTA (JP): Acting Indonesian-style will be on show this week, with six local theater groups, including ones for children and the blind, performing as JakArt 2001 winds down.

Studiklub Teater Bandung, one of the oldest modern theater groups in the country, will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Monday at Gelanggang Remaja Bulungan in South Jakarta.

They will stage Komedi Stambul by Herman Sepu, using the theatrical style of bahasa melayu klasik (classic Malay) for their performance.

Director Victor C. Mambor said he did not believe the different approach would be a problem. "We've had performances in Yogyakarta and Solo (Surakarta) and the audience accepted and understood our choice of language."

Contemporary theater group Teater Teladan will stage Bhinneka Tinggal Berapa on Wednesday and Friday at Pusat Kesenian Wilayah Jakarta Selatan, Jl. Asem Baris No. 100, Kebon Baru/Tebet from 8 p.m. until 10:30 pm.

Originally an extracurricular group at SMUN 3 Jakarta high school, the group has done more then 80 critically and publicly acclaimed performances. Bhinneka Tinggal Berapa by Joko Nugroho is an allegory for the differences which exist within a community and what is done so people can live in harmony.

Teater Kubur will perform Donga Dongo 2 by Dindon WS on Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m. at Pusrehabcat Dephan, Jl. Rc. Veteran 178, Bintaro, South Jakarta (tel. 735-5757). They will use an interactive communication approach for their performance, which focuses particularly on the blind both as performers and audience members.

Teater Bunga's Tiga Raksasa Membelah Bukit by Herman Sepu is scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. at Perkampungan Nelayan, Pantai Marunda Cilincing in North Jakarta.

Their concept of teater masuk desa (theater going into the village) is supported by the participation of 50 children. They will introduce their play with a parade accompanied by gamelan music around the fishing village three hours before the show.

The only established children's theater group in the country, Teater Esok, will perform Kereta Api Bumel by Proyo S. Winardi on Thursday and Friday at Pusat Kesenian Wilayah Jakarta Barat, Jl. Rama Raya No.1, Cengkareng (tel 583-01870), and on Saturday at Gelanggang Remaja Bulungan, South Jakarta, from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.

There also will be Seni Pertunjukan Betawi Pinggir (Betawi theater arts from the fringe) by Kipas. During the show there will be dancing, singing, music and comedy performances with elements of romance and heroism in confronting violence. As in other lenong (traditional comedy theater) performances, the actors will not use a script but improvise their dialog.

Seni Pertunjukan Betawi Pinggir will be shown from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday at Pusat Kesenian Wilayah Jakarta Utara, Jl. Yos Sudarso No. 27-29 Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta (tel. 435-4934/430-1108) and on Sunday at the same times at Pusat Kesenian Wilayah Jakarta Barat, Jl. Rama Raya No.1 - Persada Sayang Cengkareng, Kel. Rawa Buaya (tel. 583-01870).

Music

In addition to theater, there are several music and dance performances in store.

The Schonbrunn Ensemble of Marten Root (traverso), Johannes Leertouwer (violin) and Viola de Hoog (cello) will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Erasmus Huis, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. S-3, on Monday. Each is a distinguished musician in their own right, with Root teaching at the Music Academy in Bremen, Germany, Leertouwer a professor of music at the Flemish Music Academy in Antwerp and de Hoog a teacher at Utrecht Music Academy.

A collaborative modern dance performance of Janis Brenner of the Janis Brenner Dance Company New York and Saraswati Dance Company of the Indonesian Arts Institute Yogyakarta, one of Indonesia's most distinguished dance companies, will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and the same time on Wednesday at Gedung Pewayangan Kautaman Auditorium at Jl. Raya Pintu 1 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah in East Jakarta (tel. 3435-9525 at the U.S. Embassy to reserve seats).

Australian musician Mira'nda, whose main inspiration is the desert of southern Australia (most of her first CD So Bravely Human was recorded live in the outback), will sing and play guitar at 8 p.m. at Komodo Bar at Hotel Atlet Century Park on Thursday, at 4 p.m. at LaSalle International College on Friday and at 4:30 p.m. at National Monument Square (Monas) on Sunday.

Up-and-coming Austrian pianist Albert Sassman will perform works of Schubert, Mozart, Ravel and others at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at Erasmus Huis, 8 p.m. at Senayan Square on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. at the Harry Darsono Museum.