Sirkus Anjing as a Model of Urban Theater for Criticizing Social Context: Metadiscourse Analysis

Abstract

Sirkus Anjing was a performance from Teater Kubur presenting numerous discourses criticizing the Indonesian government's social contexts. As a significant avenue for societal commentary, Sirkus Anjing challenged prevalent norms and governmental structures through theatrical expression. However, despite its acknowledged impact on social critique, a critical gap exists in understanding the specific mechanisms and strategies employed within the performance, particularly in using metadiscourse. This article investigates how the metadiscourse type is used in Sirkus Anjing's performance. This content analysis study analyses the video performance of Art Summit 2004, an international event. The video was collected from Teater Kubur, and then the script was transcribed for data analysis. The transcribed script was then categorized into two metadiscourse categories (interactive and interactional). For validating the findings, triangulation of sources is used by cross-checking the transcribed script of the Sirkus Anjing actor and directors (interview) and the news media (document). The result shows that both categories _interactive and interactional_ metadiscourse are used, consisting of 8 types. This result reflects that Sirkus Anjing was delivered by self-mentioning (27%). The data implied that using self-mentioning is suggested to criticize any social context.