Yogyakarta — The stage once again came alive with the performance of Teater Pandora's production, titled Rindoe Dendam di Tanah Boemi Poetra. The production process began at the end of 2024 through fundraising activities, sponsorship seeking, and the formation of small working groups to support the performance. This collective effort culminated in a successful theatrical show held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Societeit Militaire Budaya, Yogyakarta.

The drama is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, reimagined in a modern and local context, set in Jakarta during the Batavia era. The script, written by Harist, features powerful language and a deeply emotional storyline. A total of 103 people were involved in this production, resulting in a captivating collaborative work.

This performance depicts the social dynamics between Javanese and Chinese ethnic communities, inspired by the theme of discrimination in Shakespeare’s work, specifically, how Christians discriminated against Jews in 1912. The story was transformed into a local narrative that highlights friendship, sacrifice, and social conflict, delivering a profound experience for the audience.

The performance opened with the story of Seomanto, a Javanese merchant who borrowed money from Wang Cheng Lock, a Chinese descendant who was also his enemy. The agreement between them was severe: if Seomanto failed to repay the debt on time, he had to surrender one kilogram of his flesh as compensation.

The tension reached its peak when Seomanto’s goods were stolen, leaving him unable to pay his debt. During the trial, the judge initially ruled in favor of Wang Cheng Lock’s claim. However, the situation shifted when a male legal advisor interrupted the proceedings. It was revealed that the “judge” who defended Seomanto was actually a woman in disguise, who was trying to save her lover’s friend, Baskoro, from a cruel punishment.

The story portrays the struggle of a merchant who is willing to risk his life for his friend, while also exploring the resentment and past wounds that underpin the conflict. This performance not only entertains but also conveys profound values of friendship, sacrifice, and social interaction.

Through this theatrical work, Teater Pandora successfully delivers a performance that not only captivates the audience visually but also encourages them to reflect on human values and Indonesia’s socio-cultural history. (NH/DPF/HFS)