Spectacular Seven

AFTER A YEAR that has seen two postponements written off to political instability. Thongchai “Bird” McIntyre and his “flowers” – Mai Charoenpura, Christina Aguilar, Marsha Vadhanapanich, Saowaluck “Amp” Leelaputra, and Saranya “Koi” Songsermsawad – finally made it to the stage last weekend for the hotly anticipated “Feather & Flowers the Original Returns” concert.

The three sold-out rounds, one on Saturday and two on Sunday, drew more than 40,000 eager fans to Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani and had them shouting for more. 

The concert opened with a medley that saw Thongchai duelling with the divas one by one on such hits as “Hua Jai Khor Ma”, “Ao Pai Loei” and “Rak Laew Rak Loei” and finished with all six seasoned singers performing the number that was specially composed to promote the show.

Pausing to greet the audience, Thongchai thanked fans for their patience in holding on to tickets bought more than a year ago then invited the ladies to walk down from the main stage to the narrow catwalk, all of them turning this way and that like professional fashion models. And indeed the stars could have passed for models in their stunning outfits that disguised the fact that they’ve all been in showbiz for more than the two decades since the first “Feather and Flowers” concert was staged back in 1995.

The spotlight later shifted to Thongchai, who delighted the audience with his performance of “Tammai Tong Ther” and another medley.

Marsha was next up, duetting with Thongchai on “Fakfa Talayfan” and despite a less than perfect voice, matching him on every well- choreographed dance move.

She then handed over to Saranya, who was attired in a long white dress that looked rather like a wedding gown. She duelled with Thongchai on “Piang Kae Jai Rao Rak Kan” and went solo for “Yak Yud Wayla”, once again impressing with her beautiful voice. So much so in fact, that Thongchai was lavish with his praise. 

Saowaluck then took over, wowing the audience with the all-time favourite “Tarngdern Haeng Rak” and duetting with Marsha in “Kwam Danturang Soong”.

Screams and applause greeted Mai, who stunned the audience with “Klab Mai Dai Pai Mai Theung”.

Christina might have been the last original “Flower” to reappear on stage but her short show was certainly the most spectacular. The diva stood high on a hydraulic platform crooning “Mai Yak Ja Cheu Loei” as green laser beams danced around her. She then joined up with Thongchai for “Rak Ther Samer”.

Dance songs dominated the next part of the show and the audience was also on their feet as Marsha and Thongchai performed “Ao Arai Ma Laek Kor Maiyom” and Mai covered “Kwak Huajai”, “Klab Deuk” and “Sudrit Suddej”. Thongchai and Christina were next up with “Rak Kan Mai”, Christina sang “Plik Lock” and Thongchai wrapped up the session with “Boomerang.”

Thongchai then sprung a surprise on the crowd by bringing rocker Anchalee “Pu” Chongkhadikij to the stage. The two performed “Duai Rak Lae Pookpan” and “Duai Kwam Kidtheung” to thunderous applause and hall-shaking screams, which then quietened sufficiently to allow Anchalee to sing her signature number, “Neung Diaw Khonnee”.

Anchalee told the audience that performing alongside Thongchai again was a dream come true. The two starred in a movie together three decades ago.

“And if you do another concert, I’ll definitely want to join. I promise I will wear a dress next time,” Anchalee, who is known for always wearing trousers, told her former co-star.

All seven artists performed Thongchai’s major hit “Too Much, So Much, Very Much” before briefly sharing their feelings about the concert and handing over to Thongchai for a grand finale of “Khu Tae” and “Lao Soo Kan Fang”. 

And as fans filed out of the auditorium, you could almost hear them praying that it wouldn’t take too long for the “Feather and Flowers” series to return to the stage.