The almost 3-hour play is an adaptation of The Threepennny Opera by Bertolt Brecht with music composed by Kurt Weill. Set in London in the 19^th century, the opera was first performed at the Theater am Schiffbauerdam, Berlin, on August 1928.

Director N. Riantiarno transforms the setting of Opera Ikan Asin into Batavia in the 20^th century and narrates the story of Mekhit, aka Mat Piso, the King of Batavia Bandits, who gets married to Poli, a daughter of the Beggar King in Betawi, Natasasmita Picum. The wedding angers Picum 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. Picum later threatens Kartamarma, saying that he will mobilize his army of beggars to hold a protest. 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 his fate.

Read also: Teater Koma's ‘Opera Kecoa’ returns to stage after 13 years

Teater Koma has performed the play twice; the first was in 1983 with the late Harry Roesli as composer and the second was in 1999. Riantiarno has said that he did not change anything for this year’s performance.

“The script will be the same as the original,” he said. “The music is also the same, but this time it has been re-arranged by Fero.”

Teater Koma plans to launch a book, Membaca Teater Koma (Reading Teater Koma), about the troupe’s journey, from Rumah Kertas to Opera Ikan Asin, in late February.

Tickets for the play are available with a starting price of Rp 150,000 (US$11). (kes)

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