puppet show inspired by true events that happened in Indonesia in the 1960s is set to be performed at Edwin's Gallery in Kemang, South Jakarta, from Oct. 5 to 9.
Secangkir Kopi dari Playa (A Cup of Coffee from Playa), a play by Yogyakarta-based Papermoon Puppet Theater, is being performed to raise funds for the 5th edition of the biennial international puppet festival Pesta Boneka (Puppet Party) to be held in Yogyakarta, Central Java, on Dec. 2-4.
The puppet performance, which was featured in Indonesian blockbuster Ada Apa dengan Cinta 2 (What's Up with Cinta 2), follows the love story of Widodo "Pak Wi" Soewardjo, who was sent to study in the Soviet Union (now Russia) as part of diplomatic relationship between the two countries. Prior to his transfer, he made a promise to his fiancé in Indonesia that he would not marry another woman. However, he was later exiled for more than 40 years following the conflict in 1965. But despite the circumstances preventing him meeting his fiancé, he kept his promise.
(Read also: Yogyakarta through the eyes of Rangga & Cinta)
Set in a classic-style decorated ‘stage’, the 50-minute play is moving due to its meaningful gestures and music accompanied by appropriate narration.
The theater founder Maria “Ria” Tri Sulistyani told The Jakarta Post that there was a time when their shows completely relied on narration. “In the first two years of Papermoon, [performances] were filled with narration. At one point I felt that there was something wrong with that,” she said at the end of the show. “For us, the reason why the puppets are silent is because we use gestures as their main language. Their power comes when they convey the message through their movements. If we use narration, we will provide too much information, which also means we do not believe in their [body] language.”
(Read also: Maria Tri Sulistyani & Iwan Effendi: Making puppets for all)
Secangkir Kopi dari Playa has been performed to the public since 2011. For its fifth show, several developments have been added, including the story and stage property. “Following its fifth year, we've added some developments, such as the story and some small details like adding a sewing machine because Pak Wi told us that he [and his fiancé] bought a sewing machine as they prepared to live together [prior to him leaving to Soviet Union].”
Tickets for the play are available on the theater's official website with a starting price of Rp 300,000 (US$23.1).
This year’s Pesta Boneka will reportedly involve artists from the UK, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Afghanistan and France. In addition to puppet performances, the festival will also feature workshops, exhibitions and cooking sessions. (kes)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.