Some delightful deja vu
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Two plays being revived this weekend will prove that good theatre deserves a second look
The recent surge in dance and theatre productions being re-staged is finding a ready audience because interest in these art forms is still in its infancy in Thailand - so most people have never seen these shows.
Starting tonight, Silpathorn Award-winner Sineenadh Keitprapai, the artistic director of Crescent Moon Theatre, is presenting "Sendai Nai Khwam Muet" ("A Thread in the Dark").
Professor Sarawanee Sukhumvada of Chiang Mai University translated the 1962 Dutch play in which Hella Haasse looked at the ancient Greek myth of the Minotaur and the labyrinth.
The original tale was told through the eyes of Theseus, but in this version Ariadne is the guide, shifting the focus to love, power and illusion.
In the cast are veterans like Kawinthorn Saengsakhorn and Kriengkrai Fukasem, and they along with Sineenadh's directing prowess make the show another must-see.
Theatre critic Apirak Chaipanha will moderate a discussion with Sarawanee after tomorrow's and with Sineenadh after September 11's.
Opening tomorrow is "Pattaya I: My Memory and Yours", a tragicomedy by Life Theatre, fresh from their re-staging of "Green Concerto". "Pattaya I" - written and directed by Shogo Tanikawa - premiered in 2008 at the now-closed Makhampom Studio.
An eccentric police inspector in the resort town is having stomach problems but, with the help of his no-nonsense female assistant, welcomes a hotshot detective from the Crime Suppression Department. Their mission is to interrogate a murder suspect, a young Thai-Japanese man.
"The audience laughed at the absurdity, frequently humorous situations and dialogue," I wrote in my 2008 review. The show succeeded because of "a script that effectively balances entertainment and essence, as well as the fact that the four professional actors have worked together before and form a tight ensemble".
"One reason behind this re-staging," says Tanikawa, "is that I've lived and worked here for four years and written eight plays and I'm interested to know if the reaction to my plays changes over time.
"Also, I love the Japanese villain, who I'll portray again in this production. I took the audience comments last time into consideration and made a major change to this character - he speaks more Thai now - so I also created a bigger challenge for myself as an actor!"
Seasoned actors Supasawat Buranawej and Kusuma Thepparak also returning to their roles, joined by newcomer Kemmachat Sermsukcharoenchai, who doubles as lighting designer.
The show was just "Pattaya" when it premiered. Now it's called "Pattaya I" to differentiate between "Pattaya II", which and Tanikawa finished writing last year and hopes to stage soon.
"You don't have to have seen 'Pattaya I' to enjoy 'Pattaya II'," he says, "but of course I'd like to see a full house this weekend!"
Encore!
See "A Thread in the Dark" tomorrow through September 12 except on the Wednesdays at Democrazy Theatre Studio on Soi Saphan Khu, daily at 7.30pm. It's in Thai. Tickets cost Bt350 at (081) 612 4769 and (081) 647 4783. See the "Crescent Moon Theatre" page on Facebook.
See "Pattaya I" tonight through Sunday or from September 9 to 11 at Blue Box Studio at M Theatre on New Petchaburi Road, daily at 7.30 or at 2pm on the weekend. It's in Thai and Japanese with English surtitles. Tickets cost Bt350 and Bt500 (Bt250 for students) at Banana Booking and (080) 260 0771-6. Learn more at LifeTheatre.webs.com.
