‘Timun Mas’ set to awe Jakarta theatergoers
A stage musical based on local folktale Timun Mas (golden cucumber) is set to entertain theater fans at Istora Senayan indoor stadium in Jakarta on June 29 - 30, promising for a modern take on one of Central Java's most popular and enduring folktales.
The musical's director, Rama Soeprapto, said that he aimed to create a stage musical that rivals Broadway and West End shows.
"When I watched globally-renowned musicals such as The Lion King and Matilda, I said to myself, Indonesia can be better because we have so much to exhibit," Rama told The Jakarta Post Travel on Monday.
The Lion King is an adaptation from the award-winning 1994 Disney animated film of the same name, while Matilda was adapted from the beloved children's book by celebrated English writer Roald Dahl.
"With Timun Mas, I want to tell a good moral story that can also increase people's affection for Indonesian traditional cultures," Rama said.
He added that his grand vision for Timun Mas was to create a lively stage musical with the vibrant energy of the best Walt Disney Pictures animated films that can be enjoyed by toddlers and adults alike.
"I want to show the world that Indonesia can create a sustainable product like that too," he said, adding that he has plans to bring the show to Singapore and Malaysia.
The original Timun Mas folktale tells the story of a beautiful girl who was hatched from a golden cucumber and was nurtured by a poor old widow named Mbok Srini.
When the girl, named Timun Mas, was 17 years old, a green giant called Buto Ijo visited her and said that it had been him who gave the golden cucumber seed to Mbok Srini years ago and that he came by to take Timun Mas away and eat her.
Both Timun Mas and Mbok Srini refused the giant's demand. Timun Mas then ran away and the giant chased her. Thanks to a series of magic items given to her by an old sage, Timun Mas was able to defeat the giant and lived happily ever after with her mother.
In the modern take offered by the musical drama, Timun Mas is a princess who was abducted by a wolf when she was a baby and hidden in a giant cucumber and thrown into a river to prevent her from taking the throne.
Rama said that, while he worked as playwright Robert Wilson's assistant director during the production of Bugis epic musical I La Galigo in New York, he learned that people from all over the world are fascinated by Indonesian folktales.
"I La Galigo was performed using Bugis language, even I [as an Indonesian] did not understand it. It was a huge success nevertheless. [It is saddening though, that] shows like these are always created by foreigners," he said.
He went on to say that he would infuse the Timun Mas show with as much local values as possible.
"Everything in this show is about Indonesia. I asked the music director [Thoersi Argeswara] to twist traditional musical instruments such as gamelan (traditional Indonesian orchestra) and gendang (Sumatran bongo drums) just a little bit and used them to create a more modern sound that current audiences can enjoy,” Rama explained enthusiastically.
“You will marvel at the exciting sounds of the Sumatran gendang that accompanies the wolves' dance. We also use the Javanese language and costumes from batik and ikat celup (tie-dyeing).”
Other than using innovative technologies in lighting and multimedia to bring crowds, Rama also casts Indonesian popular artists to add more attraction to the show.
One of them is Be3 vocal group member Riafinola Ifanisari, popularly known as Nola, who has never sung or acted in a musical play before.
"I know now that singing for [a stage musical] is very different from singing solo or in a group, which I am used to. Even the way you should open your mouth is totally different," said Nola.
"I learned a lot from this show. Like mastering how to act out crying while singing flawlessly so that people can hear the words I say is really challenging."
Prominent actress Ria Irawan, comedian Indra Birowo and Solos Sahita dance-comedy group will also perform in the show that was developed by Synergism Entertainment in collaboration with Djarum Apresiasi Budaya.
Performing two shows a day on June 29 - 30, tickets will be available starting from June 21 until June 28 with prices starting Rp 150,000 (US$15.15) up to Rp 1.5 million.
How to get there:
Istora Senayan indoor stadium is right at the heart of Jakarta's central business district on Jl. Sudirman. It is easily reachable from Transjakarta's Gelora Bung Karno shelter on corridor 1.
Ticketing:
For more information on how to buy tickets, contact one of the following phone numbers:
Blibli : +628041871871
Indotix : +628111550433
Ibudibjo : (+62-21) 3100386 / 31931178
Aquarius Mahakam : (+62-21) 7208413
Tiket.com : (+62-21) 83782020
Rajakarcis : (+62-21) 8282137
Loket.com : (+62-21) 92092039
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