During the performance, Supartha encouraged the audience to wander behind the screen and watch him manipulate the puppets. The screen was set on a platform so children did not get in the way as they wandered around exploring. The audience also was encouraged to sample the Indonesian food during the wayang. You re not supposed to be stiff and concentrated throughout the show, Benton-Groner said. In Java, these plays take all night.
People wander off, they eat or smoke and then return when their favorite parts are on.
The food was necessary to help set up the right mood. I ve seen Indonesian shadow plays before and they re so interesting, said Brantly Womack, government professor and director of East Asian studies. It s really habit- forming. The interaction between the puppeteer and musicians is really fascinating. A shadow play from the island of Java was performed during the second half of the program.