Love and lust in 'The Blue Room'

Sao Soong Theatre , a professional theatre group made up of graduates from Bangkok University’s Department of Performing Arts, may not be not as prolific as other groups but their latest production “Phop Rak Mak Krasan” at the Democrazy Theatre Studio who co-produces this play, is as socially relevant and enjoyable as their “Sam Sao Sandan Sia” (“Three Girls Confirmed Bad”) I watched at Patravadi Theatre more than a decade ago.
Sao Soong’s co-founder Nut Nualpang, who also writes movie scripts and coaches movie actors, makes a triumphant return to the stage by further adapting “Kon Rak Game Love”, Parnrut Kritchanchai’s adaptation of David Hare’s “The Blue Room”, which the British playwright himself adapted from Austrian writer Arthur Schnitzler’s “Der Reigen”. The result is “Phop Rak Mak Krasan”, a Thai play about the interrelated relationships of 10 characters played out in 10 scenes that speaks to the audience of today. If the cheeky Thai title - which brings to mind a cute love story at the Airport Link’s terminal - makes you grin, then you’ll know what the play is all about and probably also sense Nut’s comedic approach to it.
Veteran actress Janya Thanasawangkul, who recently stole the spotlight from her co-stars in popular TV soap “Thong Nuea Kao”, delivers the performance of the year, portraying five vastly different female characters - a teenage street walker, a Burmese housemaid, a politician’s wife, a scantily clad model, known in Thai as a “pretty”, and a middle-aged TV superstar. A true chameleon, her voice and physicality change in accordance with the new character so credibly that the new costume and wig are not really necessary.
She doesn’t even seen to tire despite carrying tired the whole play on her shoulders; in fact, she has so much energy that she could probably do a repeat performance right after the end of the first! A prime example for any professional actors and acting students, this unforgettable act will be a strong contender for the year’s best performance by a female artist award from the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) — Thailand Centre in mid-February.
Janya is well matched by Watthanachai Treedecha in his spot-on portrayal of the taxi driver, Weerawat Techakijjathorn as the politician and Saifah Tanthana as the Buddhist priest, although Wacharayu Suradech is too much of a fly-weight as the university student to be in the same ring as a heavy-weight like Janya. Seasoned actor Klot Atthaseri makes a much-awaited return from the TV to the stage as the pop music composer. The scene in which his character discusses the differences between inner reality and technique in singing performance also made me think that their laudable performances were a fine blend of the two schools of acting.
The smartly designed traverse stage set-up allows for not only a clear view of the stage actions but also the quick arrangement of white cubical boxes into different pieces of furniture in different scenes.
Interestingly, this theatre studio allows the audience to take photos without flash at will during the performance, hoping that they will share these snapshots with their friends online. I was lucky last Saturday evening in that only four out of the 20 audience members took up this offer or the clicking sound and the images on the camera and smartphone screens would have made me feel like I was attending a fashion show. What the producer should do instead, perhaps, is to post photos on the group’s official Facebook wall and website for the audience to share, the way professional theatre companies do.

FIND YOUR LOVE (AND SEX)
“Phop Rak Mak Krasan” is at Democrazy Theatre Studio on Soi Saphan Khu, a 10-minute walk from MRT Lumphini, exit 1, until December 16.
Shows are at 8 nightly except Tuesday and Wednesday plus 4pm on Sunday. It’s in Thai with no English translation.
Tickets are Bt500 in advance or Bt550 at the door. Call (080) 627 7255 or check www.Facebook.com/|democrazystudio.