Teater Shakespeare returns to TIM

Teater Shakespeare returns to TIM

JAKARTA (JP): Teater Shakespeare, which won praise for its
previous two plays, returns to the stage with Tidak Ada Jalan
Keluar (No Way Out) at Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center here
from Oct. 8 and Oct. 10.

Founded in 1992 by students and alumni of the Jakarta Arts
Institute, the group is scheduled to perform the play in Bandung
from Oct. 14 to Oct. 15.

The Jakarta run of Tidak Ada Jalan Keluar, which is adapted
from Jean-Paul Sartre's 1943 production, follows the enthusiastic
response of drama lovers in Surakarta where the play was
previewed last month.

Tidak Ada Jalan Keluar is about three strangers who have died
and gone to hell. Hell is portrayed as resembling the living room
of the second empire in the Hitler era.

Estelle, a nymphomaniac, has lost her husband who committed
suicide after she murdered their child. Inez is a lesbian who
tried to seduce her nephew's wife, who killed herself while Inez
was asleep. Garcin is a pacifist who betrays his own ideology and
is killed when he tries to escape.

All three quickly become aware of the machinations in hell,
where each must torture the other. Estelle's strong sexual drive
leads her to desire Garcin. He, who tried to ensure that he would
die for heroic principles, has fallen for the clever Inez. She,
in turn, is dismayed to discover Estelle's passion for Garcin.

Once they all realize the "hell" is the actions of the people
around them, they try to shut out the others. But they come to
understand that they depend on each other to understand who they
are, which means they have no choice but to communicate. Garcin's
inability to win Inez's heart tempts him to have sex with
Estelle.

When the door is open, they do not have the courage to run out
of hell. Aware that the situation is hopeless, they laugh
hysterically until they are hoarse. They then begin to enter the
vicious circle of their destiny. (pan)