Surrealistic play about forbidden dance and music form from West Java. This 40 minute dynamic, colourful and poetic multimedia physical theatre deals with the Indonesian underground phenomenon of Jaipongan, a dance and music form currently listed in Indonesia to become illegal because of its alleged obscene/erotic image. Conceived in the 60’s as the Indonesian answer to Western Rock and Roll which was at the time forbidden by presidential decree. Jaipongan intended to break the traditional South East Asian code in the performing arts which was build upon the two dimensional shadowplay.

Collaboration with Theaterschool Amsterdam and Artez Arnhem

“The Indonesian phenomenon Jaipongan, is just like rock and roll: a sensual scream for breaking the tension of the cold war.” “Ketuk Tilu” paid much attention during the 41st Pasar Malam Besar in 1999 as an original mixture of sensual Indonesian music, Indonesian dance elements and contemporary theatre. Hereafter Gerard Mosterd remained an annual contributor to the festival for six years developing a new interested and loyal audience.

Jaipongan is a dance and music style developed from the tradition of a dancing street prostitute and her “Ketuk Tilu” orchestra from the Bandung area, West Java. It was transformed by pak Gugum Gumbira into an eclectic, promiscuous and rebellious answer to rock and roll which was banned for years in Indonesia by law during the sixties.

Inspired by the innovation of Jaipongan as a method to escape the two dimensional restrictions of the puppet and shadowplay based South East Asian Theatre Mosterd recreated this work into a multidisciplinary project for four expressive performers. Performances are scheduled on: Wednesday 21st at 12:30, Saturday 24th at 15:45, Thursday 29th of May at 13:00. Sponsored by Stichting Tong Tongand supported by Theaterschool Amsterdam and Artez Arnhem. Courtesy of Eddy de Bie and Kristin de Groot.