Horen zonder oren, zien zonder ogen - de Dewa Ruci (To Hear Without Ears, To See Without Eyes - The Dewa Ruci)

After the success of Sweet and Cruel, Hora Est returned to the thirteenth century church of Westerwijtwerd to put on a second performance, this time mixing traditional Indonesian gamelan music with American country songs and adding Javanese shadow puppet play and Capoeira. Hora Est teamed up with Ensemble Gending, a gamelan ensemble from Utrecht, alongside other musicians such as country singer Sascha Bruinsma. 'Stained glass' windows mixing traditional Indonesian wayang style with comic art were designed by comic artist Sam Peeters especially for this performance, creating a fascinating stage for a very special performance. The story was that of the Hindu half god Bhima, a giant who normally trusts his strength above all. However, when he ends up with the Dewa Ruci, an enigmatic dwarf, this legendary strength is of little use. The dwarf invites Bhima to enter him through his left ear. After he reluctantly accepts this invitation, the giant ends up in a world that leaves him − and the audience − speechless. 

Together with the performance, a booklet was published, containing an introduction to the mystical tradition of the Dewa Ruci, a centuries’ old shadow puppet performance, as well as a new version of the Dewa Ruci written especially for this performance. A compact disc with studio versions of the music from the performance was also published following the performance.

For an interview with Sjoerd-Jeroen Moenandar about this show, click here


Performers

Sascha Bruinsma: lead vocals

Patrick Durkan: Guitar, banjo, drums, backing vocals

Kristin McGee: Musical director, compositions

Jorden Hoogeveen: Capoeira

Egbert Hovenkamp III: Narrator (dalang)

Robert van Hulzen: drums, gamelan

Mischa van Kan: Violin, guitar

Klaus Kuiper: slide guitar, gamelan

Job Kwakman: Director

Bernardo Rolando Lendore: Capoeira trainer, berimbau, announcer

Sjoerd-Jeroen Moenandar: Concept, text, costume design, stage design

Sam Peeters: Stage design

Joost Staats: Bass guitar

Jermain Wallé: Capoeira

Performed

Terug naar het begin festival 2011

CD

Kristin McGee: Music and words

Sjoerd-Jeroen Moenandar: Words and text

Johanz Westerman: Production

With: Sascha Bruinsma, Patrick Durkan, Egbert Hovenkamp III, Robert van Hulzen, Mischa van Kan, Klaus Kuiper, Bernardo Rolando Lendore and Joost Staats

Sample song:

Booklet

Sjoerd-Jeroen Moenandar: Text

Sam Peeters: Cover illustration

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