The Fight for the Throne in Tiongkok

When the regeneration of Tang Dynasty
underwent quandary, the elite politics were head
to head on who should be the campaign general.

Every nation have their own heroic epos. Sincere sacrifices
with courage. Observe the words of Sie Jin Kwie to
Genral Thosukwie, “I shall always defend my country
disregard of any reward nor position”. The story of Sie
Jin Kwie took place in Tiongkok in the 7th century, at
the era of Tang Dynasty, but it was not written until the 14th century by
Tio Keng Jian at the era of Yuan Dynasty. In Indonesia this script was
published in various versions and was adapted into a comic, published
continuously in the Star Weekly Magazine during the 50’s era. “There
were 12 versions of Sie Jin Kwie that I read, This Sie Jin Kwie which
you are spectating could very well be the 13th version,” said Nano Riantiarno.

It is said that Thiosukwie is the admiral of Dynasty Tang army, who often
takes the credit for his inferior’s work. He is so worried that when
Lisibin, the Taizong Emperor of the Tang Dynasty finds out that Sie
Jin Kwie had entered the army, his position would be taken. This is
because Lisibin had a premonition that Sie Jin Kwie would be the one
to save him from a deadly ordeal. He was so curious that he would do
just about anything to encounter Sie Jin Kwie.

However, Thiosokwie turned the story around and states that Lisibin
mean to have Sie Jin Kwie assassinated. Thiosokwie rejected Sie Jin
Kwie’s two applications to join the arny. When Sie Jin Kwie received
supremacy from the Prince of Taizong to enter the army, Thiosokwie
called Sie Jin Kwie by his childhood nickname, Suweli.

Not wanting Sie Jin Kwie’s career to stand up, he was then placed in
the kitchen. There, he formed the Tang Kitchen Troops. But beyond
everyone’s estimation, during the war against King Kolekok, Sie Jin
Kwie’s troops played a major role in defeating General Kaesobun, the
general who arranged a coup opposing King Kolekok. This is a classic
tale from Tiongkok that illustrates nationalism, patriotism, and
sincerity in defending a country, while facing political mayhems and
corrupt bureaucrats.

The draft for the screenplay that was estimated to have 7 to 8 hours duration
was “squeezed” down to only 4 hours. “All the scenes are filled
with attractive potential. It would be such a pity to waste them,” expressed
Nano. “Every form of directed plays that we know of are made
inspiration to manifest the dramatic and meaningful expressional pronunciation
forms,” he added.

The performance required 250 costumes with ornaments details and
motives that rooted to the Tiongkok culture in fusion with Javanese
tone. The music and singing were in Chinese-style, while the graphics
and stage settings were altered in accordance with the plot. The graphics
displayed wondrous images of dragons, swaying phoenix bird, and
people in Tiongkok costumes. Expressive dancing also added sparkle

and more entertainment value to this play.