Ontosoroh: Australia-Indonesia Dance Theatre Collaboration

Australian dancer and choreographer Ade Suharto and Indonesian vocalist and composer Peni Candra Rini last night wowed audiences at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival with their performance of Ontosoroh.

Ms Suharto and Ms Rini have been working closely over the past two years to create Ontosoroh, which tells the story of the heroic female lead Nyai Ontosoroh in the Indonesian literary classic, This Earth of Mankind, by Pramoedyah Ananta Toer.

This Australian-Indonesian collaboration explores feminine strength and the struggle for freedom. Ms Suharto and Ms Rini also share the stage with some of Indonesia’s best musical talents including percussionist Plenthe, gamelan player Iswanto and violinist Prisha Sebastian.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty was pleased to support the performance of Ontosoroh in Ubud, and the recreation of classic Indonesian literature into a piece of work able to be enjoyed by the international literary community.

“Ontosoroh is a visionary piece of work reflecting a meaningful and sustained collaboration between talented Australian and Indonesian artists,” Ambassador Moriarty said.

“The performance has already received significant acclaim in both Australia and Indonesia and I hope Ontosoroh will further strengthen the cultural understanding between our two countries and deepen the professional and personal connections between our artists,” he said.

The performance of Ontosoroh at the ARMA Museum last night was supported by the Australian Embassy Jakarta as part of the embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 runs from March through to November and includes music, visual art exhibitions, dance, literature, textiles, sport and a science and innovation seminar series. The program also includes arts residencies and exchanges involving artists from both countries.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, Deakin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of Tasmania.

The embassy is also supporting a performance of Alphamama and Ben Walsh at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival closing night performance tonight (5 October) at the ARMA Museum from 18:00.

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, First Secretary (Cultural) tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304