Folks of culture, Lenong is typical Betawi performance art with spontaneous, straightforward dialogue flavored with humor. Another peculiarity in Betawi folk theatrical art is the music of Gambang Kromong and the interaction of the performers with the audience. Apart from being entertaining, Lenong Betawi is a form of tradition that reflects the identity of the Betawi people who are honest, candid, friendly, and open to differences and progress of the times. It is estimated that Lenong Betawi art has existed since the 1920s and is a product of Betawi culture which is influenced by elements of European, Malay, and Chinese opera performances. In a Lenong show, it is always full of meaning and message. Whether it's a social satire (criticism) message, a defense of a weak group, or the community's response to the variety and dynamics of social life.
There are several versions regarding the history and origin of Lenong Betawi. The first version says that Lenong developed at the end of the 19th century, precisely in the 1920s, which was developed by a Chinese named Lian Ong. Previously, he was inspired by a theater called Pekyu from East Java. Not just imitating theatre, Lian Ong added a variety of elements, from rhymes to dances to the famous Lian Ong plays. Because of Lian Ong's pronunciation, it gradually changed to a new name, namely Lenong. There is also the view that the art emerged from small talk among traders in the market in the 1920s and then formed a group and added elements of sounds using kitchen utensils to produce a nang-neng-nong sound. Because of the sound and chatter and jokes between the traders, the Betawi people called it Lenong.
At first, the theatrical art, which adapted the comedy Stambul, was performed from village to village. In development, the show is held in an open field. During the show, there are usually several performers circling the audience asking for voluntary donations. Then the art of Lenong Betawi began to become a performance that was held at special events, such as celebrations or in commemoration of certain moments and holidays. Next, Lenong Betawi became a stage performance art. Around the years 1969-1970's, Lenong had become a performing art that was staged at Taman Ismail Marzuki (TIM). Then in the 1990s, Lenong's art began to spread to TV stations. Starting from Lenong Bocah, Lenong Rumpi to Lenong Anak.
In general, there are two main genres (streams) in the performing arts of Lenong Betawi, namely Lenong Denes and Lenong Preman. Here is a brief presentation of the information.
Lenong Denes
Lenong Denes or Lenong Dines, actually first emerged from the Lenong Preman genre. In its development, Lenong Denes is less popular and perhaps for some Betawi residents, the story is less attached to their daily lives. Lenong Denes performs royal stories and the clothes worn by the characters are also sparkly, like kings, nobles, princes, princesses, and princes. So the word "denes" (service) is attached to the story and the clothes worn. It means to refer to people of high position or people of high rank or in the service.
Lenong Denes uses high Malay in his dialogues so that the players are not free to do humor. Examples of words that are often used include my lord, king, brother, sister, he, sovereign my master, syahdan, and servant. Most of the dialogue in Lenong Denes is sung. For the show to be funny, a lady-in-waiting or khadam (helper) character is displayed who uses the Betawi language.
The fight scenes in Lenong Denes do not feature silat, but boxing, wrestling, and fencing (swords). For dramatic, fight scenes are also accompanied by the sound of drums. Lenong Denes used to play on a stage measuring about 5x7 meters. This place is divided into two: in the back for players to decorate, change clothes, or wait their turn to play. The front for the stage. Musical instruments are placed on the right and left of the stage. The scene is used to express the arrangement of the scene, although sometimes it doesn't fit at all or collides with the ongoing storyline.
The plays in Lenong Dines generally come from stories from Malay culture such as Hikayat Indra Bangsawan and Hikayat Syah Mardan, but there are also stories from outside Malay that are generally taken from the works of Shakespeare, Hamlet, King Lear, Othello, and so on. The Lenong show uses a uniform that is adapted to the theme of the story.
Lenong Preman
Lenong Preman or Lenong Jago is different from Lenong Denes. In development, Lenong Preman is more popular than Lenong Denes. Perhaps the story about defending the weak and the criticism and stories inherent in the daily lives of Betawi residents made Lenong Preman more popular. The plays performed by Lenong Preman are stories from the world of Betawi martial arts champions or champions such as; Si Pitung, Jampang Jago Betawi, Mirah Dari Marunda, Si Gobang, Wisdom Belt Warrior, Sabeni Jago Tenabang, and others. But other everyday stories like; stories about landlords, household dramas, and so on are also quite often presented. Therefore the costumes or clothes used are everyday clothes. Lenong Preman uses the Betawi language so that intimacy and interactive communication between players and spectators are established. The audience gave a spontaneous response and the players responded. The dialogue in the lenong play is generally plain and spontaneous. So that it gives the impression of being rude, too spontaneous, and even vulgar. The distribution of Lenong Preman covers many places in Jakarta, Bogor district, Bekasi district, and Tangerang district.