Presented as a two-person dialogue theater performance, the story follows a young engaged couple: Ida Bagus Swamba played by Reuben Elishama and Sukreni played by Angelina Arcana. One week before their wedding, Sukreni disappears. Ida Bagus is heartbroken and tries in vain to find Sukreni. He eventually meets Astaman, who knows where Sukreni is, so Ida Bagus goes to see her to find answers. Is in this moment that tragedy strikes?

One of the greatest difficulties in adapting novels for the stage is the problem of space, said Wawan. Indeed, the stage setting was simple, with just a pair of benches and a wooden table, as the space was very small and close to the audience. “By using the advanced stage it’s actually an attempt to intimate,” Sofwan told tempo.co after the show.

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This atmosphere, very close to the characters, was also achieved by choosing to narrate the tragic story about Sukreni being raped instead of making a scene on it.

“I don’t like visualizing rape; telling the story instead, for me, is more intimate,” said Wawan.

All was made to make the dialogue between the two player stronger and more dramatic, including by practicing for approximately two weeks, five times a week with work hours that were never less than four hours long. Even the grandson of the novelist, who was also at the play, was pleased.

“I was very touched while watching the play. I almost cried; it was very dramatic,” he said after the play. (tif/kes)

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