Singing in the 'Four Reigns'
MR Kukrit Pramoj's muchloved novel is brought to the stage by Scenario's Takonkiet Viravan
Started as a series of stories about the life and times of a fictional young girl called Mae Ploy in 1953 and later collated as one of Thailand's most famous novels, MR Kukrit Pramoj's "See Phaendin" ("Four Reigns") has been brought to television screens five times over the last four decades. On October 19, it will make its debut as a stage musical at the Rachadalai Theatre under the direction of Takonkiet Viravan.Since news about the production hit the headlines a few months ago, social networks and chatrooms have been awash with anticipation as to who would be cast in the lead roles and particularly who would play Mae Ploy.
That falls on the capable shoulฌders of veteran actress Sinjai Plengpanich, who plays the adult Mae Ploy as well as the narrator. Young actresses Pimdao "Mudmee" Panichsamai and Natthanit "Pinta" Rattanasereekiat portray Mae Ploy as a girl.
The daughter of an aristocrat, Mae Ploy grew up in the royal court before getting married and raising her children. Her life is set against a backdrop of social and political change, with Siam moving from the reign of King Rama V to the revoluฌtion in 1932 and onwards to World War II.
While on the surface, the novel is about Mae Ploy as she transitions from daughter to wife and mother, it is also a portrayal of Thai society at a crucial time based on Kukrit's own background and told from his point of view.
"This story gives us the Thai roots. It explains why a 10yearold girl grew up with such loyalty to the court and shows why the King is the strong pillar for people to hold on to," says the director.
The director believes that 99 per cent of Thai people were loyal to the King when Kukrit wrote the novel in the early '50s. "I'm not sure that percentage is the same at the presฌent time. It doesn't mean that people are anti the institution but they pay less attention to it. I don't know why. That is the root we have ignored for years. In order to put this story on in the year 2011, I have to explain this idea more than the novel did," he says.
Takonkiet originally planned to stage the musical 10 years ago but had to put the project on the backburner due to problems with script development as well as ensuring historically correct details throughout the character's lifespan.
Ten years later and with considerably more experience in musical production, he immediately said yes when the MR Kukrit Pramote Foundation approached him to revive the musical project, especialฌly as it was to celebrate the centeฌnary of the birth of its late author.
Sinjai is also happy with the timฌing. "It's the right time for me to play the role. I'm older now and have a family of my own. I think that's made me understand more about the character and the story," says the actress, who read the novel 20 years ago when her husband, actor Chatchai, played Khun Prem - Mae Ploy's husband - in the 1991 TV drama.
Sinjai doesn't try to add her interpretation to the character, sayฌing she thinks Mae Ploy has her own spirit and that she's worked hard to understand her so as to be able to portray her.
"Mae Ploy is from the old generฌation and obviously had many quesฌtions as the country changed. Looking at her through the eyes of people in this era she might be outฌdated, but as an individual who grew up in the old days, she saw mainly goodness and happiness, so she fears that the happiness will be gone if things change," she says.
The conflicts are present through Mae Ploy's family, especially her three sons who have different politiฌcal opinions. "It's not very different from what we are today," says the director.
Naphat "Gun the Star" Injaiuea plays the young Khun Prem, while Mae Ploy's sons are portrayed by Arnuttaphol "R the Star" Sirichumsang (Aon, the eldest), Yuttana "Toomtam the Star" Pueanklang (Un) and Singharat "Singto the Star" Janpakdee (Od, the youngest).
"Their singing talents are awesome and that makes working with them really tough. It's a great opportunity too, as it helps me to work harder," says Sinjai.
Like many members of the young generation, the young actors have problems with the historical details and background, so Takonkiet adopted a tough approach before working with them.
"I wanted to know their attitude about the country first. Then I made them understand that to be part of the story, they have to understand our history otherwise they can't play it properly," says Takonkiet.
Although a stage performance requires exaggerated acting so the emotional impact can be felt throughout the hall, Takonkiet has asked his young cast not to use any technical skills.
"He told them just to play from their inner feelings and not just follow his directing. They have to work harder," says Sinjai.
The long sit still
- With a running time of three and a half hours, "See Phaendin the Musical" will be the longest production ever staged at the Rachadalai Theatre.
- It's on from October 19 to November 27, Wednesday to Sunday at 7.30pm plus 1.30 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
- English surtitles are available except the matinee shows.
- Tickets cost from Bt500 to Bt2,800.
- Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
That falls on the capable shoulฌders of veteran actress Sinjai Plengpanich, who plays the adult Mae Ploy as well as the narrator. Young actresses Pimdao "Mudmee" Panichsamai and Natthanit "Pinta" Rattanasereekiat portray Mae Ploy as a girl.
The daughter of an aristocrat, Mae Ploy grew up in the royal court before getting married and raising her children. Her life is set against a backdrop of social and political change, with Siam moving from the reign of King Rama V to the revoluฌtion in 1932 and onwards to World War II.
While on the surface, the novel is about Mae Ploy as she transitions from daughter to wife and mother, it is also a portrayal of Thai society at a crucial time based on Kukrit's own background and told from his point of view.
"This story gives us the Thai roots. It explains why a 10yearold girl grew up with such loyalty to the court and shows why the King is the strong pillar for people to hold on to," says the director.
The director believes that 99 per cent of Thai people were loyal to the King when Kukrit wrote the novel in the early '50s. "I'm not sure that percentage is the same at the presฌent time. It doesn't mean that people are anti the institution but they pay less attention to it. I don't know why. That is the root we have ignored for years. In order to put this story on in the year 2011, I have to explain this idea more than the novel did," he says.
Takonkiet originally planned to stage the musical 10 years ago but had to put the project on the backburner due to problems with script development as well as ensuring historically correct details throughout the character's lifespan.
Ten years later and with considerably more experience in musical production, he immediately said yes when the MR Kukrit Pramote Foundation approached him to revive the musical project, especialฌly as it was to celebrate the centeฌnary of the birth of its late author.
Sinjai is also happy with the timฌing. "It's the right time for me to play the role. I'm older now and have a family of my own. I think that's made me understand more about the character and the story," says the actress, who read the novel 20 years ago when her husband, actor Chatchai, played Khun Prem - Mae Ploy's husband - in the 1991 TV drama.
Sinjai doesn't try to add her interpretation to the character, sayฌing she thinks Mae Ploy has her own spirit and that she's worked hard to understand her so as to be able to portray her.
"Mae Ploy is from the old generฌation and obviously had many quesฌtions as the country changed. Looking at her through the eyes of people in this era she might be outฌdated, but as an individual who grew up in the old days, she saw mainly goodness and happiness, so she fears that the happiness will be gone if things change," she says.
The conflicts are present through Mae Ploy's family, especially her three sons who have different politiฌcal opinions. "It's not very different from what we are today," says the director.
Naphat "Gun the Star" Injaiuea plays the young Khun Prem, while Mae Ploy's sons are portrayed by Arnuttaphol "R the Star" Sirichumsang (Aon, the eldest), Yuttana "Toomtam the Star" Pueanklang (Un) and Singharat "Singto the Star" Janpakdee (Od, the youngest).
"Their singing talents are awesome and that makes working with them really tough. It's a great opportunity too, as it helps me to work harder," says Sinjai.
Like many members of the young generation, the young actors have problems with the historical details and background, so Takonkiet adopted a tough approach before working with them.
"I wanted to know their attitude about the country first. Then I made them understand that to be part of the story, they have to understand our history otherwise they can't play it properly," says Takonkiet.
Although a stage performance requires exaggerated acting so the emotional impact can be felt throughout the hall, Takonkiet has asked his young cast not to use any technical skills.
"He told them just to play from their inner feelings and not just follow his directing. They have to work harder," says Sinjai.
The long sit still
- With a running time of three and a half hours, "See Phaendin the Musical" will be the longest production ever staged at the Rachadalai Theatre.
- It's on from October 19 to November 27, Wednesday to Sunday at 7.30pm plus 1.30 matinees on Saturdays and Sundays.
- English surtitles are available except the matinee shows.
- Tickets cost from Bt500 to Bt2,800.
- Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.
