This sensorial work full of delicious smells, evocative sounds and disturbing testimony is based on the true story of 'Ibu Helen', an Australian woman living in Jakarta with her Indonesian husband- a trade unionist- and their children, during the so called 'communist purges' of the mid 1960's. Part cooking demonstration, part period drama, and part political thriller, powerfully performed by Australian actor Ellen Marning, Ibu Helen prepares her family's final meal in Jakarta, a fragrant dish called Sayur Lodeh, before they flee to safety in Gippsland, Victoria. Her testimony of the chaotic years leading to the family’s escape is intwined with Javanese food philosophy and sublime vocals and gamelan by Indonesian musician Eka Kurnia, as the dish is prepared live.
Based on letters Ibu Helen wrote home to her family in Gippsland, recent interviews and media archives, it is ultimately a heart-warming tale of love, told by a woman who at the end of the day must put food on the table for her family.
Created by artists from Australia and Indonesia. First performed to sell out audiences and critical acclaim in December 2023, with a large waiting list who didn't get to see it, Surat-Suratnya was accompanied by a sound installation 'Behind the Letters' created by artist and vocalist Ria Soemardjo, whose family's experience during the communist purges this work is based on, as well as a Q&A session lead by RMIT lecturer in journalism Tito Ambyo.
Surat-Suratnya will appeal to anyone interested in politics, history, cooking, languages or a warm family story.
Creative Team
A collaboration between Stage of Wawan Sofwan, Sandra Fiona Long and Ria Soemardjo
Writer
Wawan Sofwan and Ratna Ayu Budiarti (Indonesia), based on the letters and interviews of Ibu Helen
Director
Wawan Sofwan (Indonesia)
Actor
Ellen Marning (Australia)
Dramaturg/translator
Sandra Fiona Long (Australia)
Composer
Kurnia Eka Fajar (Indonesia)
Designer
Yudith Christianto (Indonesia)
Lighting Designer/Creative Logistics
Cole McKenna (Australia)
Producing Team- Australia
Kirsty Ellem (Artistic Merit), Ria Soemardjo and Sandra Fiona Long, Nirvana Vania (Indonesia)
Technical Assistant/Operator
Aaron Carey-Long (Australia)
'Between the letters' Installation and Co-Producer
Ria Soemardjo (Australia)
Video by
Cole McKenna and Ria Soemardjo, filmed at La Mama Theatre, Melbourne 2023
Performance History
The work had a premiere 2 week season in December 2023 at La Mama Theatre in Melbourne.
Reviews
'A huge story, told from the tiny domains of a loving house.... remarkably powerful'
- Farrago magazine
'...tension belied by the soulful timbre of Kurnia Eka Fajar's Gamelan instrumentation'
- What Did She Think?
⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Beautifully condensed and full of poignant human detail'
- Cameron Woodhead, The Age.
