Wayang Superstar
until 2 August in the Park Hall
The theatre world of Ki Enthus Susmono
Ki Enthus Susmono is a Javanese puppet player with the status of a superstar in Indonesia. He has added new elements to the traditional wayang theatre, such as new puppets, a different screen and stage lights. His puppets are also real superstars.
This exhibition shows Ki Enthus’s film and television characters, cartoon figures and world leaders: Bush, Bin Laden and Batman, the Teletubbies and Harry Potter. These puppets are intended to get young people interested in wayang, or – in the case of the Nine Islamic Saints – to propagate Islam.
The Javanese call him the most creative puppet player because he changes the conventional storylines and has introduced pop music in the wayang theatres. His innovative performances keep the classical Javanese wayang theatre alive and appeal to a wide audience.
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