Review: THREE PENNY OPERA by Teater UI: Art Without Politics Would Just Be a Decoration'

THREE PENNY OPERA is a legendary manuscript with such a simple plot in conveying social criticism. A scoundrel is in a tainted friendship with a police chief. A daughter-loving local entrepreneur disguised as a social worker, but it exploits poverty. The male characters are busy with their own affairs, while the female characters depicted in many figures, such as prostitutes, housewives, faithful woman, independent woman, etc. At the very same time, it is complex but simple as it is close to our current social condition.

Set in Surabaya during Japanese invasion, Teater UI collaborated with Studworks, their alumni theatre club member, wants to invite all audience to get an idea of the daily lives of the characters so we can compare our current state while relive the meaning of independence. The main reflection of this performance is the suffering equation of the people as well as people's lives; between the colonial era and the independence era. Through Yeyen, Teater UI wants to outline the misery of Jugun Ianfu (Prostitutes that were forced to serve the Japanese army). Through bandit collusion with the police, Teater UI wanted to illustrate how corruption is a thing that has been around from a long time and is still exist. Through the prison scene, Teater UI would like to extend the pungli practice that is a big enemy of our current state government.

Ludruk is a traditional stage method that is able to help the audience to think, criticize and take the necessary actions. With the use of parikan, ludruk are approached and proved, as well as the usage of the suffering stories, comedic scenes, and some improvisations from the cast. The music is deliberately played with the original notation.

They wanted to show that theatre is not only a feature in entertainment, but more than that, to be a means to develop critical thinking, social awareness and militancy in action for a better change. The above points can be achieved by approaching a performance method that tells the suffering of the people, filled with jokes, heroic stories, dances and interesting music. Teater UI keeps using the title "Three Penny Opera", with the hope that traditional art can associate with global arts. Not only the traditional theater is regarded as folklore or museum pieces, but a theatre stream that can be enjoyed in a casual and actual form. Teater UI turned traditional theatrical and sustain it, to mold them into a reasonable show.

Photo Credit: Teater UI / Febry Fakhrurizal

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