Keeping it simple

WORK TO TURN the empty space on the second floor of M Theatre into a flexible performing arts venue plus a cafe-cum-bookshop named Creative Industries was recently completed and it finally opened last month with another revival of Nikorn Saetang’s “Phop Rak” (“In Love”), a quadruple bill of playlets written in 2006 and last seen three years ago at Blue Box Studio just five metres away.
It’s a light-hearted oeuvre compared to other works like “Insomnia” or “Desperation of God – now available in an anthology at the theatre – by the Silpathorn artist, actor, playwright, director and artistic director of 8X8 Theatre. But that’s not to say it’s the least engaging, portraying as it does Nikorn’s observations on life and love in the real world.
The writing credits include a junior member of his company Jaturachai Srichanwanpen, who acted in the previous productions, and the playwriting collaboration is so seamless that it’s impossible to tell which of the four playlets is penned by Jaturachai.
With two actresses and two actors portraying different roles in all four, “Phop Rak” is something of a battle of acting prowess as the thespians bring to life characters that do not fall into any stereotype. Like the script itself, all four are realistic, and never sensational or melodramatic.
While seasoned actor Phol Tantasathien is arresting and an obvious fit for romantic dramas, he doesn’t show the range of his abilities in his portrayal of the four characters.
Newcomer Supavit “James AF8” Boonkasem manages to get his diction clear but needs more time to work on playing multiple characters. The most surprising performance comes from Maneerat Kham-uan, who switches roles so effortlessly that it’s obvious she’s being underused in movies and TV dramas as well as in the stage play “Mani and Chuchai” in which she appeared earlier this year.
 Fans of university theatre will be especially delighted to see Varattha Tongyoo in this professional production. This young actress even occasionally steals the limelight from her more famous co-stars, especially in the last playlet “Disappear”, which remains my personal favourite.
With all four playlets set in either a cafe or a small restaurant, the thrust stage configuration draws the audience closer to the play. Nikorn also wisely chooses minimal furniture and props along with projection on the back screen for maximum effect. In the first scene when the table and chairs are parallel to the edges of the performance space, though, some audience members on the side might find they have slightly restricted view of the actors.
“Phop Rak” provides entertainment along with a reminder that with along with larger-than-life and blown up depictions in movies and TV, theatre remains a slice of life. Frequent giggles and smiles are guaranteed and the stories could even adds sparks to the romantic lives of audience members.
Perhaps I too should stop writing articles in cafes and instead start observing life and people there. That could maybe give Nikorn a few more ideas and next revival may be one playlet longer.
Like in most productions by 8X8 Theatre, “Phop Rak” has decently translated English surtitles. And for expat theatre fans who’re still complaining that Bangkok is a theatre desert, “Phop Rak” is the perfect oasis at which to drink.
 ROMANTIC
WEEKEND
- “Phop Rak” continues at Creative Industries at M Theatre on New Phetchaburi Road between Ekamai and Thonglor, tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm and Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. It’s in Thai with English surtitles.
- Tickets are Bt 1,000 and Bt700 (Bt500 for students under 23). Book at (02) 718 0597 and (086) 300 2081. For more details, see Facebook.com/CreativeIndustryThai.