Year 12: IB Theatre - Research Presentation
Topeng Dance
Wayang topeng batavia is a popular form of mask theatre from Jakarta, West Java.
The dance/drama which best reflects this special relationship between Balinese clowns and gods is the masked spectacle called Topeng. Performed regularly as part of village temple festivals, Topeng is a vortex of intersecting artistic energies. Music, dance, mime, and song are used to provide a dramatic forum for the mingling of history, religion, and topical events. Topeng achieves this complex synthesis by blending solemn ritual and carnival merriment into accessible popular entertainment.
Miettinen, J.O. (2018). Topeng Mask Theatre. Theatre Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki. https://disco.teak.fi/asia/topeng-mask-theatre/
Jenkins, R. (1978). Topeng: Balinese Dance Drama. Performing Arts Journal, 3(2), p40.
On The Web: Databases
- Women in Balinese Topeng: Voices, Reflections, and InteractionsThis article charts the increasing involvement of women performers in Balinese topeng (mask dance) and emerged from discussions and emails among the authors.
- The origins of Balinese legongA discussion on the origin of the Balinese dance genre of legong.
- Balinese Mask Dance from the Perspective of a Master Artist: I Ketut Kodi on TopengFoley and Sedana interview I Ketut Kodi, one of the most important performers of topeng mask dance and wayang puppetry in Bali, regarding his insights into his education as a performer and his obligations as a mask dancer.
Video: Performance Demonstration
Second Face Museum of Cultural Masks. (2018, December 04). Bali 2018 - Barong Performance [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OungqqU41wg