Initially performed in 1983 at Taman Ismail Marzuki cultural center in Central Jakarta, the show is an adaptation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera in 1728 and Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera in 1928. One of Teater Koma’s founding fathers and the central figure of the theater group, N. Riantiarno, adapted both of these plays and changed the background of 19th century London to early 20th century Batavia.

The show this week will be the group’s 147th production.

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Riantiarno has written most of the scripts that Teater Koma has performed over its four-decade journey.

Some of Riantiarno’s most memorable works include Trilogi Opera Kecoa (Cockroach Opera Trilogy), Opera Primadona (Idol Opera), Sampek Engtay, Opera Ular Putih (White Snake Opera), Republik Bagong (Bagong Republic), Republik Togog (Togog Republic), Republik Petruk (Petruk Republik), Sie Jin Kwie, Rumah Pasir (Sand House) and Republik Cangik (Cangik Republic).

Opera Ikan Asin tells the story of Mekhit, aka Mat Piso, the King of Batavia Bandits, who marries Poli Picum, the daughter of the Beggar King in Betawi, Natasasmita Picum.

The wedding angers Natasasmita as it is held without his consent. He then asks his wife, Amalia, to come up with a scheme so that Mekhit is sent to jail, but Mekhit manages to break free as the chief of police, Kartamarma, alias the Brown Tiger, is his friend.

Natasasmita later threatens Kartamarma, saying that he will mobilize his army of beggars to hold a protest and ruin the upcoming inauguration of the new Batavia general governor. Following this, Mekhit is then captured and sentenced to death. However, as he is being brought to the hangman’s noose, a letter that comes from the general governor totally changes the bandit king’s fate.

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“This is a show about an era filled with absurdity. An era when a bandit king becomes a hero of the people, law enforcers befriend elite criminals, bribery is a daily custom and laws can be held hostage by powerful figures with various vested interests,” N. Riantiarno explained about Opera Ikan Asin during a limited preview of the show in Jakarta recently.

N. Riantiarno added that he did not make any major changes for the recreation of Opera Ikan Asin.

The script is the same as the original one performed in 1983 and so is the music score. However, N. Riantiarno said the old composition would be arranged by a new composer, Fero Aldiansyah Stefanus, because the original composer, Harry Roesli, passed away in 2004.

The cast for this year’s performance also include only five of the original cast from 1983, with the rest being new faces to represent the new generation of Teater Koma.

These new figures include Budi Ros, Cornelia Agatha, Sari Madjid Prianggoro, Alex Fatahillah, Asmin Timbil, Raheli Darmawan and Budi Suryadi.

The actors and actresses will perform in beautifully crafted costumes from renowned designer Samuel Watimena. The cast will also perform choreography composed by Ratna Ully and sing under the vocal guidance of Naomi Lumban Gaol.

Opera Ikan Asin will also mark Teater Koma’s debut at the Ciputra Artpreneur theater hall, the most sophisticated theater stage in Jakarta.

N. Riantiarno said the opportunity to perform Opera Ikan Asin at the Ciputra Artpreneur was very exciting because the sophisticated stage allowed the group to take their presentation to a whole different level.

“The background settings that you see here during this preview are different from the ones we will be presenting on the Ciputra Artpreneur stage. During the real performance, the settings will feature massive vessels and other structures that can completely take people back to early 20th century Batavia,” N. Riantiarno said.

Meanwhile, N. Riantiarno’s wife, Ratna, said she still could not believe that Teater Koma had survived for 40 years in the theater industry.

“I cannot believe that it has been 40 years since we started our journey. It feels just like yesterday that we performed our plays on the streets, on small stages set up in parking lots and garages. Yet, here we are, ready to perform our 147th production,” Ratna, who was also one of the original founding members, said.

Opera Ikan Asin tickets are on sale from Rp 150,000 to Rp 850,000 per person. For more information on ticketing, please visit teaterkoma.org.

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