After its successful Johor State Sandiwara Fiesta: Saga Saujana and Magika earlier this year, Gerak Teater Tari Johor (GTTJ), formerly known as Gerak Teater Johor (GTJ), Teater Dewata: Cinta Antara Takhta will be staged in conjunction with three main events; National Language Month 2025, Wonderful Nusantara 2025 and Visit Johor 2026.
It is to celebrate the beauty and nobility of language in the performing arts, highlight regional cultural heritage through the arts of theatre, dance and music and support the Johor state tourism agenda by presenting performing arts works based on local heritage as told by GTTJ’s representative in a press conference held at Opero Hotel, Southkey who is part of the production’s sponsors.
The production is a collaboration with Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Wilayah Selatan, Yayasan Warisan Johor, and Tourism Johor, and is directed by Sang Purba, formerly known as Senjakala. The work will be performed live on 26th October 2025, by nearly 50 production staff, including actors, dancers, musicians, and technical crew members.
Teater Dewata: Cinta Antara Takhta, which lasts 90 minutes, highlights not only Nusantara’s unique artistic texts and refined language, but also allows local artists to highlight cultural values, palace customs, and national identity.
It promises an epic Story of the nusantara which highlights the conflict of love, power and sacrifice set against the backdrop of the palace and cultural heritage.
Presenting dialogues in the refined Malay language embroidered with Javanese-Sundanese language, enriching the artistic and cultural values of the Nusantara.
Subtitles on screen would be made available during the performance to facilitate the audience’s understanding of the Javanese-Sundanese dialogues.
According to its press statement, the script has been reviewed and refined by Prof. Authur from the Bandung Institute of Arts and Culture, ensuring language accuracy and cultural authenticity.
Combination of Theatre & Dance Arts; integrates acting, traditional dance, gamelan music and fresh contemporary rhythms. The Palace Dance, Bedhaya is specially taught by Resy Nur Fitri (Eci), a trainer and dancer from the Bandung Institute of Arts and Culture who was specially brought in by the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia. Special Appearance by Swarloka Group in one of the theatre acts.
With assistance from the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Wilayah Selatan, DBP Sponsorship & Advisory Services provides language and cultural guidance.
Audience would be treated to exclusive, exquisite and genuine royal costume designs sponsored specifically by the Singapore Opera Academy.
A blend of seasoned actors and a vibrant younger generation, the show’s original Johorean works and talented cast were produced entirely by Johor’s creative forces, including the dance, music, directing, and script.
Six Special Songs, including Lagu Dewata, Joget Megat, Bayang Empayar, and Cinta di balik Empayar, were composed especially for this performance and have melodies that express a range of emotions, including love, betrayal, and sacrifice.
Muhammad Qaim Qays bin Azmi, Head of Public Relations, Media and Corporate; Dr Syaidul Azam bin Kamarudin, Language Planning Officer, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Wilayah Selatan and Muhammad Naqib Naqiuddin bin Hasrin Kamal, Assistant Economic Affairs Officer, Tourism Johor, were among the other invited guests who attended the press conference.
In keeping with the Visit Johor 2026 campaign, this theatre promotes Johor’s tourism agenda by presenting performing arts that are anchored in the state’s tradition and enhancing its standing as a high-value cultural tourism destination.
Synopsis: Dewata; Cinta Antara Takhta
When the winds of change began to blow in the archipelago, two great powers began to carve out their respective destinies, the Majapahit Kingdom was rising as a great empire in the east, while the Melaka Sultanate was just setting foot as an influential trading centre.
To establish peaceful relations, Melaka sent the Golden Leaf Tree as a tribute to Majapahit, a symbol of loyalty and diplomatic efforts between two great civilisations. However, behind the edict and custom, an unexpected spark of destiny was hidden.
Princess Ratna Ayu Anindita, the only daughter of Prabu Wijaya, was betrothed to Raden Dharmajaya, a prince from Sumatra. However, the princess’s heart was tied to Prince Megat Seri Iskandar, the envoy of Melaka who came to bring greetings of friendship and hopes for peace. Their forbidden love sowed flames in the palace, to the point of inviting the wrath of the Prabu who saw it as a threat to the dignity and power of Majapahit.
In order to maintain the throne and political balance, the relationship was forbidden. In the shadows of the palace, Raden Dharmajaya and Puteri Kresna hatch a plot to eliminate their rivals.
“What fate will befall Anindita? What will be the end of Megat? Don’t forget to watch Teater Dewata: Cinta Antara Takhta.”
Tickets are selling now, priced at RM25 and RM35, staged on two showtimes, 3pm and 5pm.
https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/4132-teater-dewata-cinta-antara-takhta
