Syair Abdul Muluk adaptation in theatrical performances in Jambi
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The use of the Malay language facilitated the dissemination of Syair Abdul Muluk by Raja Ali Haji beyond regional boundaries. This study offers new insights into how the narrative of Syair Abdul Muluk was adapted for performance. Employing a qualitative approach, the research utilizes Syair Abdul Muluk as the primary source, analyzing it alongside two productions staged by the traditional theatre groups Sereh Serumpun and Mekar Kembali. The findings reveal that the adaptation of the narrative structure involved the retention, omission, rearrangement, and addition of events, all while taking performance practicalities into account. Both groups retained key events but did not reproduce the entire narrative sequence. The processes of omission and rearrangement resulted in a more concise storyline, which in turn influenced the inclusion of characters and settings. The adaptation of Syair Abdul Muluk demonstrates the process of selecting and restructuring material from the source text into a performance format.
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