Part Two
On his first night in Bali, Michael Taylor attends a spectacular performance of Devdan, Treasure of the Archipelago, which he absolutely loves!. So don’t miss his first-hand Devan show review which introduces the plot and explains why he enjoys it so much! Is this the best live performance Bali has to offer?
In This Post
Performance Theatre at Its Best?
Devdan, Treasure of the Archipelago is performance theatre at its best. Combining song and dance with acrobatics, magical illusions, and some amazing special effects, the show begins as a flighty tour guide shows some tourists around the Indonesian island of Bali.
As the tourists – and not least of all the tour guide – are terrorized by some playful monkeys, two of the children in the group wander off and climb up the sides of a volcano, where they discover a treasure chest. Opening it, they see several objects inside. And each one represents one of the larger islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago.
Each Island Has a Distinct Identity
As the children remove the items in the chest one by one, they are transported to the islands of Bali, Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Papua, each with its own distinct culture. They get up close and personal with local customs and rituals.
Enchanted by what they see, the children witness everything from harvest festivals to the flying of kites to shadow theatre to the making of handicrafts – all portrayed through electrifying song and dance. At one point, they decide to show off their own skills.
“This is how WE dance!” they proclaim.
When the children start break dancing, the entire cast joins in.
Indonesia’s Rich Cultural Diversity
Designed to showcase Indonesia’s amazingly rich and diverse culture, the show is fast moving, beautifully choreographed, and skillfully performed. Firstly, there is humour. Secondly, there are surprises. Most importantly, there are no dull moments!
A feast for both the eyes and the ears, the show features magnificent costumes as well as a lively, melodic, and rhythmic score. I frequently felt my foot tapping to the beat.
I have always loved live theatre, and this is live theatre at its best. No visitor to Bali should miss it.
Hope you enjoyed my short Devdan show review! If you have seen Devdan, please leave your comments below!
Where
Bali Nusa Dua Theatre – Kawasan Pariwisata Nusa Dua, Komplek ITDC, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia.
