Theater Ketjil returns with play on forest fires

Theater Ketjil returns with play on forest fires

JAKARTA (JP): Thick haze from brush and forest fires has
inspired Theater Ketjil, a theater group founded by the late
Arifin C. Noer, to create a play which marks the group's
comeback, after a long absence from theater performances.

The play, Kok Bisa-bisanya Sih Kau Bakar Hutan Itu? (How Could
You Burn The Forests?), will feature leading theater actors
Ikranagara, Dorman Borisman, Arifin's widow Jajang C. Noer and
Yuyun Wahyudi.

"I hope the play will become the theater's resurrection,
following Mas Fin (Arifin) death about 1,000 days ago," Jajang
said.

Arifin, a noted theater and film director, died in May 1995
due to a malfunctioning liver.

The play, written by Ikranagara and directed by Amoroso
Katamsi, will be performed on Nov. 5. The play is one of many
performances scheduled to commemorate Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM)
Arts Center's 29th anniversary on Nov. 10.

The performances, which include musical performances, dances,
poetry reading, a short drama, a puppet play and a two-day
seminar on literature, will be held from Nov. 1 through Nov. 12.

Theater Ketjil is not the only theater group to perform in the
celebration. Theater Koma will perform Kala, a play about a
greedy creature who only has one wish: To eat everything,
including a human.

Unlike its previous performances, which run for days, Theater
Koma's Kala, written by N. Riantiarno, will only be staged for
one night, Nov. 3.

"This is the first time this has happened in Theater Koma's
history," said Riantiarno, who is better known as Nano.

The play will feature among its players Nano and his wife
Ratna Riantiarno and actor Salim Bungsu. The play is directed by
Idries Pulungan.

Putu Wijaya's Theater Mandiri will also participate in the
celebration by performing Dar Der Dor, a play which was staged at
the Gedung Kesenian Jakarta in early October.

Dar Der Dor, written in 1991 by Putu in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, centers on people's socioeconomic problems. The players
include Wendy Nasution and Ucok Hutagaol. Music arrangement is by
Harry Roesly.

TIM's anniversary is also being used by Rendra to perform a
short play, Kereta Kencana, with his former wife, Ken Zuraida. It
is an adaptation of Eugene Ionesco's The Chairs.

Kereta Kencana will be performed on Nov. 2, and will feature
Rendra, Ken and Sudibyanto.

Wayang

In addition to performing a short play, Rendra will also give
a cultural speech on Nov. 10, TIM's anniversary.

A shadow puppet play, Hanoman Obong (Hanoman's Burning), will
be performed by Ki Hadi Sujiwo Tejo on Nov. 8.

Unlike a traditional puppet play, Tejo will use the Hanoman
SEA Games white monkey mascot doll instead of the usual white
monkey shadow puppet used in the epic Ramayana play.

In the play, Hanoman, who is caught and burned after his
attack on the Alengka Kingdom to rescue Sinta, kidnapped by King
Rahwana, burns down the palace and the forests surrounding it.
Thick haze from the forest fires makes some of Alengka's
residents complain.

Plays and puppetry are not the only activities planned for the
celebration of TIM's anniversary. The organizer will also hold a
two-day seminar on literature.

The seminar, to discuss the roles of two prominent figures in
Indonesian literature -- Asrul Sani and H.B. Jassin -- will be
held on Nov. 8 and Nov. 9.

Speakers include Afrizal Malna, Putu Wijaya, M. Sobari and
Sapardi Djoko Damono. During the seminar, there will also be an
exhibition of literature books and H.B. Jassin's works. (ste)