The shows must go on

With so many theatre companies planning performances to ring in 2014, we can only hope that some kind of solution will be found to the ongoing political conflict thus allowing us to attend events that do not involve whistles and teargas.
Scenario is showing optimism by resuming its run of “Lueat Khattiya” tonight at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre having been forced by the demonstrations to postpone most of the scheduled performances of their grandest musical of the year.
Also starting today are “Bitches of Lanka: The New Episode”, in Thai with English surtitles, at Chulalongkorn University’s Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts. And Nophand Boonyai is staging “Utopian Malady” in Thai and English at the Crescent Moon Space in the Pridi Banomyong Institute on Thonglor.
“Bitches” is Silpathorn artist Nikorn Saetang’s staging of Parida Manomaiphibul’s new play, which looks at the lives of the female characters in the palace of the Demon King Thotsakan. “The New Episode” subtitle suggests that this edition will be different from the earlier versions presented at “Our Roots Right Now” conference last January and Asia-Pacific Theatre Schools Festival last September in Ho Chi Minh City.
The latter is independent theatre artist Nophand’s new dark comedy in which three writers are kidnapped and asked to use their skills to help the prime minister solve his son’s major problem involving the murder of his girlfriend, a TV soap star.
Next week, a new long-running show will start at Asiatique Riverfront. Director Ekachai Uekrongtham, who made his name with the film “Beautiful Boxer” and the musical “Chang and Eng”, revisits his love for Thailand’s national martial art in “Muay Thai Live: The Legend Lives”. This should offer another option to tourists apart from Asiatique’s Calypso Cabaret.
Later this month, JSL resumes its love affair with the Suntharaphorn songbook and stirs our nostalgia with another jukebox musical at the M Theatre “Phleng Rak Khong Theu”.
Loei Dudi Studio, meantime, stages “Mani and Chuchai”, a revival of Chulalongkorn University architecture students’ annual play, at Aksra Theatre. This revamped and star-filled production of student works, will be interesting to watch, as previous attempts, most recently “Lamsing Singer”, have not really been successful.
Coming up at Democrazy Theatre Studio is New Theatre Society’s “The Trial After Kafka” – a new episode in its DemoClassics series. This is a highly anticipated work by Damkerng Thitapiyasak who has based his script on Peter Weiss’s version of Kafka’s novel.
Crescent Moon Theatre will later stage prolific playwright Orada Lelanuja’s new play “In the Grey Room” at its venue.
So far, this preview hasn’t gone beyond the scheduled election date of February 2 and theatre lovers will be keeping their fingers crossed that these diverse productions will proceed as planned.
If we can celebrate Valentine’s Day in a lighter and less conflicted mood, five directors and playwrights will be reflecting on love through five new playlets starting February 13 at B-Floor Room in Pridi Banomyong Institute.
In late February, Nat Yontararak and Pichet Klunchun Dance Company should finally get to perform “Move with Meanings” at the former’s studio in Lat Phrao Soi 43, another event postponed from early December because of the political unrest.
The Culture Ministry’s Office of Contemporary Art and Culture (OCAC) has a stimulating project to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Silpathorn Awards. It’s supporting award laureates to work in pairs with artists from another field – for example, dancer-choreographer Pichet Klunchun is working with musician and composer Bruce Gaston and actor-director - playwright Pradit Prasartthong is collaborating with filmmaker Pimpaka Towira. This is a praiseworthy initiative and one that is crucial to the development of contemporary arts. These works will be showcased at OCAC’s new arts centre on Rajdamnoen Avenue, which is another reason for us to keep our fingers crossed.
Dreambox has two major productions planned. The first is a revival of Bhanbhassa Dhubthien’s “Animal Farm” whose premiere production ran a few weeks before Thailand’s last coup d’etat. The second is the much-awaited musical adaptation of Thai star-crossed lovers’ tale “Phlae Kao”.
The French-Thai cultural festival La Fete is scheduled for June and July, with works that show greater collaboration between the two countries. Mark your calendars for June 14 to enjoy Companie 14:20’s “Notte”, which combines new circus, dance, theatre and magic.
September and October will see the annual staging of Bangkok’s 16th International Festival of Dance and Music, organised by the International Cultural Promotions.
This will be followed in November by the Bangkok Theatre Festival by the Bangkok Theatre Network, the International Dance Festival by the Friends of the Arts Foundation with the International Butoh Festival Thailand by Butoh Co-Op and B-Floor Theatre rounding out the year in December.
There’s no word on whether Bangkok will get to see another Broadway classic like “The Phantom of the Opera”, which is understandable given the current political situation, as producers and presenters would not want to take the risk.
Another show that may not be coming to any theatre near us soon but whose development we are watching closely is “Behind the Painting: The Musical”, which director-producer Takonkiet “Boy” Viravan is hoping to take to Broadway.
Of course, there is more to look forward to in 2014. But for the arts to prosper, the country must be in a far more solid condition than it is right now.