During 21st November, my friends and I headed toward the Auditorium of Dewan Bahasa & Pustaka to witness a powerful theatre drama - “Qasidah Terakhir”. The play was made by Roydy Rokidy and the performance showtime was around an hour. Qasidah Terakhir is a play that talks about a man’s fight to reclaim his honor after being falsely accused of a heinous crime and exiled from his village.
Let us talk about the set and props first. It was so simple: just a house, a pondok for Qasidah and a place for village meetings, that’s it. Even though it’s less, I think it’s already enough. It clearly establishes location, mood and social context without overcrowding the stage, effectively suggesting a rural or small-town environment while giving actors the freedom to move and perform naturally. For example, there’s only one complete house display which is Bukhari’s house because he is the main character, and there is a lot of space not only from the backstage but also behind the audience, the space allows them to act like they came out from their house like neighbourhood. Overall, the set and props support the story by creating a believable environment that feels lived-in yet flexible, letting the performance flow naturally from moment to moment.
Next, the lighting. The lighting in this show is crucial because it acts as the emotional backbone of the performance, shaping mood, time and focus in ways the minimalist set alone cannot. Each lighting choice shifts the audience’s perception—warm bright tones create a lively daytime community, stark spotlights isolate characters during intense or personal moments, and cool blues with warm back glows evoke quiet nights or reflective conversations. For example, the last scene which is Bukhari’s death. There’s not so much colour with the lighting but only white spotlight. It feels sad. And also, they only showed up the light on the space that characters have conversation. And when another actor came up from the other side, they lit up that place, which tells us where we should focus while every part of the theatre plays. By directing attention, enhancing atmosphere and supporting the storytelling rhythm, the lighting becomes a silent narrator that deepens every scene and gives the entire production its emotional texture.
Next, what we cannot miss is the actor's performance. We have our main character, Bukhari, who is also my favourite character on that day. For me, Bukhari is a person that is so pure and innocent. He always believes that every good deed he does will be rewarded. But, he was wrong. Sometimes, there was no good deed in this world. And in the end, Bukhari’s character reminds us of the harsh reality that goodness alone cannot shield a person from betrayal or injustice. His downfall at the hands of someone he trusted the most not only exposes the fragility of human relationships, but also emphasizes how envy can corrupt even the closest of friends. Yet, despite all the pain he endures, Bukhari’s unwavering sincerity becomes a powerful contrast to the cruelty around him, making his story one of the most impactful elements of the performance. Through Bukhari, the show ultimately invites the audience to reflect on the value of integrity, and the emotional cost of living in a world where innocence is not always protected.
Overall, Qasidah Terakhir is more than just a theatre performance—it is a deeply human experience that lingers long after the final spotlight fades. The production successfully blends simple staging, powerful lighting choices and emotionally charged performances to create a world that feels both intimate and painfully real. What impressed me most was how every artistic decision, no matter how small, contributed to the larger message of the story: that truth is fragile, that innocence can be easily tainted by lies, and that society often chooses judgement over compassion. Bukhari’s tragic arc serves as a mirror to our own world, where people are quick to believe rumors and slow to seek the truth, and where envy can turn even the closest bond into a weapon. Watching his downfall unfold made me realise how damaging unchecked assumptions can be, and how important it is to defend what is right even when it is difficult. As I left the auditorium, I carried with me a mix of sorrow, admiration and introspection. The show not only showcased the beauty of Qasidah as an art form, but also reminded us that every voice, every intention and every action carries weight. Qasidah Terakhir succeeds in being a performance that entertains, teaches and awakens, leaving the audience with a deeper appreciation of humanity and the moral choices we face every day.
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