SUCCESS onstage is no guaranteed path to prosperity. Stage actors may be adored they often found themselves at their wits end offstage, struggling to make ends meet in their daily lives. It was this phenomenon that was borne by the performers of Srimulat.

Srimulat comedian Kadir, 59, still remembers how difficult economic conditions were when he first joined Srimulat in the 80s. "I did not dare marry," he confided, adding that actors received paltr