Mwathirika

The anti-communist slaughter of Indonesian people in 1965-66 is the backdrop to this devastatingly poignant tale. Through the use of puppetry this horrific time is given a voice of innocence. Imaginations explore identity and society and the result is hauntingly brilliant.

Told through the eyes of 4 year old Tupu and her 9 year old brother Moyo, the story becomes all the more powerful. The family live in a rural village with their father who disappears one day at the hands of the militia. He is mistaken for a communist and his house is marked with a triangle painted red. Neighbours distance themselves fearing they too may become victims of imprisonment or even death. Tupu and Moyo are left to wonder what has become of their father and find a way to survive.

This harrowing story is enhanced with music that switches from gentle tones, almost like a lullaby, to noises depicting the chaos and tragedy that unfolds. Colourful homes made of strips of material suit the space and the plain backdrop shows images of conformity and alarm, which although simplistic capture the essence of the story.

Papermoon Puppet Theatre is based in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The cast of 5 are well rehearsed and move effortlessly around the stage sometimes as puppeteers and at times as individual performers taking on dual roles. They ask the audience to recognise their countries loss and this production is a memoriam of sorts to the many victims of these massacres.

Powerful until the bitter end, it was hard not to shed a tear.

Kerry Cooper