Renowned theater troupe Teater Koma will be back with a play that pays tribute to mothers while shedding light on the country's reality ' widespread corruption and uncertainty.

The play, titled Ibu (Mother) and the troupe's 131st production, is adapted from German dramatist and poet Bertolt Brecht's 1939 play, Mother Courage and Her Children. Koma's co-founder, Nobertus Riantiarno, better known as Nano Riantiarno, is the playwright and director of the play, which will be performed from Nov. 1 to 17 at Graha Bhakti Budaya in the Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM) art center in Central Jakarta.

'Ibu is the story of Ibu Brani, who sees opportunity within chaos in her country. Immune to the destruction and depravity around her, Ibu is determined to reap benefits out of war and even hopes that the war will never end,' Nano said.

'And yet, when two of her sons are recruited into the Army, Ibu Brani faces uncertainty as she has to choose between pursuing her ambition or letting herself become a victim.'

Brecht's Mother Courage ' considered by some to be the greatest anti-war play of the 20th century ' is one of nine plays that he wrote in an attempt to counter the rise of Fascism and Nazism.

Koma's adaptation will center on the struggle of Ibu Brani, which literally translates as 'courageous mother', in the 17th century during a time of war.

In the play, countries under The Black Sun's regime are battling against The White Sun's allies. Everyone becomes a victim.

But Ibu Brani refuses to be a victim ' instead, she sees a bright light: finding business opportunity amid the destruction.

Along with her two sons and youngest daughter, who is mute, she bravely crosses the battlefield with a wagon in tow, selling various items to the soldiers.

Catering to both The Black Sun and The White Sun regiments, Ibu serves anyone who wants to buy items from the wagon, as long as they pay cash.

Veteran actress Sari Madjid will play the role of Ibu Brani. Sari is known for playing in 80 performances of Koma's play Sampek Engtay between 1988 and 2004.

In total, 45 cast members and 11 musicians will take part the production.

Ibu also features Ratna Ully as choreographer; Feri Aldiansyah Stefanus as musical director; Samuel Wattimena as costume designer; Sena Sukarya as make-up artist, and Deray Setyadi as lighting director.

'I believe that the play's story is relevant to the situation that we have in Indonesia today ' that our people are faced with uncertainty,' said Nano during the play's press conference in Jakarta.

The director said that saddening facts about the country's current reality, such as rampant corruption, compelled him to stage Brecht's play. He first adapted the play in 1987, and it has been reviewed four times.

He said that he had planned to stage the play in 1989, 1999 and 2010. Yet, many challenges forced him to put it on hold.

'This year is a perfect time because next year we will have a presidential election, which I personally see as a type of 'war',' said Nano.

Teater Koma
Nov. 1-17, 2013
Graha Bhakti Budaya, Taman Ismail Marzuki
Tickets: Rp 75,000 (US$6.90)
' Rp 300,000 ($27.70),
available at blibli.com.

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