The princess & the pauper

A tale of love, war, patriotism and deceit, Wimon Chiemcharoen’s “Luerd Kattiya” (“The Princess”), penned under the pseudonym Laksanawadi, is one of Thailand’s best-loved novels. Adapted for Modernine as a series in 1978, it returned to TV in 2003, this time on Channel 5 and starring Phiyada Akkrasenee and Jesadaporn Pholdee in the lead roles.

Now the drama is coming to the stage as the latest musical by Scenario’s Takonkiet “Boy” Viravan.

“For this musical, we’ve been able to go beyond our imagination,” says Takonkiet.

“For example, ‘Thawipop’, (written by the same author but under her pen name Thommayanti) was set in the Rattanakosin era and it would have been impossible to tell the story through any other timeframe. With ‘Luerd Kattiya’, there are no such limitations.

Takonkiet says he’s been thinking about adapting the tale for a musical for the last four years but the schedules of the performers he wanted to cast has forced him to delay. 

“It’s strange but it was a letter from a fan that pushed me into doing it,” he says, adding that the fan in question told him that his elderly grandmother wanted to see the show before she died.

When the King of Yasothorn, a fictitious country somewhere in mid-Asia is assassinated, his only daughter Princess Darakumari is usurped from first to third in line. She assumes the life of a commoner and meets Anotai, the son of a retired general, who knows her only by the name of Dara. Their friendship gradually develops into love.

Anothai, who has always dreamed of serving his country, signs up for the royal military academy where he accidentally learns that Dara is in fact a princess. Although very upset by the news and aware that that the pair cannot have a future, he vows to do everything in his power to ensure that she is crowned queen even if it means sacrificing his life.

“Unlike the other musicals we have staged, ‘Luerd Kattiya’ combines fantasy with modern production techniques. And of course, the story will be told through the songs,” says Takonkiet. “Because the setting is imaginary, readers of the novel have different ideas as to where Yasothorn is on the world map. For us, it is somewhere between Europe and Asia.”

Nuengthida “Noona” Sophon, who played Angsumalin in Channel 5’s production of “Koo Kham” earlier this year and also starred in the 2010 hit movie “Hello Stranger”, is cast as in the role of Princess Darakumari.

Thanathat Chai-At, aka Kangsom the Star 8 portrays Anothai.

Supporting players include Anataphon “R the Star 3” Sirichumseng as Prince Chaiyun, Kulkornpat “Kamm” Potongnak as Princess Kaekai, Korakan “Arm KPN” Suthikoset as Prince Sittiprawut, as well as veteran actress Rudklao Amratisha plus Pairoj Sangvoribut, Pholawat Manooprasert and Nonthiya “Jeab” Jewbangpa.

“Noona is a good actress and I don’t think it’s fair to always cast her in the same sort of roles. This musical will serve as another step in her development as an actress. She did well in ‘Rak Jap Jai the Romantic Musical’, but for her new role, she needs to develop her singing style so that it packs more punch,” Takonkiet says.

“Kangsom’s style of singing focuses more on teen pop and hip-hop but he has the ability to do more and cover many more styles. Anothai means rising sun, while Dara means star. Normally the sun and stars cannot exist together, but the audience will see how clearly they are matched when the two perform ‘Patiharn’ (‘Miracle’).

Young Kangsom has been busy preparing to meet the demands of his exacting producer.

“I’ve been practising my singing to strengthen my voice and make it as powerful as a soldier’s should be. I’ve also been learning about the military life – how to shoot a gun and ride a horse as well as absorbing the pride of fighting for one’s country,” says Kangsom, who has spent time at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy to train for the role.

“The hardest thing is learning to act like a soldier. It’s been a very worthwhile experience though,” he adds.

 

 

Impossible romance

_ “Luerd Kattiya” runs from November 21 to December 8 at the Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre.

_ Tickets are Bt500 to Bt2,800. For details visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.