The World Premiere of this show is scheduled for June 2nd, 2007, at Agate Hall Auditorium on the University of Oregon Campus. Here are a few of the pieces I've composed for it. Due to the limitations of the general midi spec, I have rendered these pieces in 12-tone equal temperment. This is less than completely satisfying, as many of these pieces incorporate harmonic concepts that are only available in the slendro-pelog system, and specifically, the tuning of Gamelan Sari Pandhawa. But I have tried to give as close an approximation as possible given that limitation.
The Music
The Script
I have completed the rough draft of the script. I made the decision to follow the Javanese example with regards to language. In a Javanese wayang kulit, different characters will speak different languages or dialects depending on their station. Kings and gods will speak Old Javanese, other characters will speak contemporary Javanese or Bahasa Indosesia, depending on their status, and when neccesary, Petruk will translate. In keeping with this, Hrodhgar will speak Old English with Petruk translating; other noble characters, like Beowulf or Wealtheow, with speak a very formal but contemporary English; and coarser characters like Unferth will speak in the vernacular. And, just for fun, sulukan will be sung in Scots Gaelic.
Act 1, Part 1
Act 1, Part 2
Act 2
Act 3
The Cast
My puppet set is mostly limited to the Ramayana characters, so part of the fun is in the casting. Here's what I have so far:
- Beowulf - Gatagatcha
- Hrothgar - Rama
- Grendel - Kumbakarna
- Sentry - Wibisana
- Wulfgar - Semar
- Unferth - Cakil
- Wealtheow - Sinta
- Minstrel - Gareng
- Grendel's Mother - Generic Raksasa puppet
- Dragon - actually, I have a dragon puppet that I made for another play
- Wiglaf - Laksmana
- Grieving Woman - Trijata
- And, of course, Petruk and Bagong as themselves