Theater group protests at ban

Theater group protests at ban

SURAKARTA, Central Java: Some 50 local artists marched to
Mayor Hartomo's office on Monday to protest his decision to ban
the performance of Siswo Budoyo Tulungagung, a traditional
Javanese theater group, in the vicinity of the Solo royal palace.

The protesters pointed out that Mangkunegoro IX, the king of
the tiny sultanate, never objected to the performance in his
court, the Antara news agency reported.

Mayor Hartomo however said that he did not ban the performance
of the group from East Java, but rather tried to regulate it,
which is in his power.

"Don't misunderstand or twist the facts. I have offered them
to perform at another place, but if they refused then that's
their right to do so," he said.

He said the palace court has been declared off limits for art
performances to maintain its cleanliness and also to protect the
integrity of the court.

It is feared that the performance by 130 members of the
theater group would ruin the beauty of the surroundings. (emb)