Indonesian tradition and the impact of the west on modern Indonesian theatre and drama

Abstract

I should like to deal with the problem of modern theatre and drama against the background of the modernization of Indonesian society. Modern theatre, and with it also the literary drama, originated as late as in 1926. Its structure, themes and ideological contents contrast conspicuously with traditional theatre which has existed in the Indonesian archipelago since the beginning of this century. And how was the origin of modern Indonesian theatre and drama influenced by Western civilization? Is the tendency to deviate from the theatre tradition - so conspicuous in modern Indonesian theatre - the result of the influence of the Western conception of theatre? And what roles are played in this respect by the imminent development of Indonesian theatre and the economic-social changes in Indonesian society?