Indonesia’s Teater Koma tells us a cautionary tale of society’s excessive use of technology through Mencari Semar (Looking for Semar), written by Rangga Riantiarno.
Photo from UNIMA-Indonesia
Semar in Indonesian folklore is often seen as the “fool” archetype, often depicted as an entertainer, guide, or adviser of heroes. In Teater Koma’s production, Semar is preparing for his retirement, when he is abducted for possessing the powerful heirloom known as the Jimat Kalimasada—an amulet that protects the world from catastrophes. While Semar is indisposed, humans progress at an astonishing rate, developing futuristic technologies and creating robots. Will humanity be able to survive this technological hellscape without Semar and the Jimat Kalimasada?
If this sounds like a sci-fi plot to you, you’re not that far off. The play is produced with futuristic flair, taking elements from Indonesian folklore and science fiction, and mixing them to produce an immersive viewing experience. This captivating mashup of tradition, creativity and innovation is what Teater Koma is known for, alongside vibrant performances and productions that are veiled social commentaries about human nature.
Mencari Semar delves into our dependence on machines and asks the question, “Can we survive the way we are now?” With the rapid real-life advancements of automation and AI coming to mind, this production is definitely something to watch out for to remind us of the pitfalls of overreliance on technology, all the while entertaining us with laughs and captivating performances.
Catch Mencari Semar at the Ciputra Artpreneur Theater this August and tell us your thoughts in the comments below!