Shaken, not stirred

SINGER, SONGWRITER and actor Witwisit “Pich” Hiranwongkul has turned his considerable talents to writing and directing, staging his first attempt at a musical play – “Cocktails the Musical” – at Thonglor Art Space in collaboration with his friends.

“My first musical is based on love that everybody can see, touch and feel,” he says.

“Love is made up of several ingredients, just like a cocktail. Many of the people I know have faced many problems with love. Although some couples give off a romantic vibe, they are hiding problems. So love is really about understanding.”

“In any couple there’s an element of give and take – of increasing a particular trait or emotion while decreasing another to find the right balance. That’s just like a cocktail, which is a mix of several different spirits, each with its distinctive character. There are standard and signature cocktails. The signature cocktail can be compared to designing love. We all need to increase or decrease something so that it works,” says Pich, who first performed in a musical in 2013 and followed up last year with a supporting role in “Rak Ther Thao Fah (Bin Ma Ha Na Ther)” (“Fly with Me, Free Breakfast”) at Thonglor Art Space.

“When he told me his idea, I immediately thought it could work. We have never worked together and although Pich and Jonas are friends, they haven’t worked together either. So we spent more time sharing our ideas than rehearsing. My role was to help develop his main idea. Before I even joined him, Pich had come up with a theme, a title and a list of songs. I helped create the dialogue,” says director Dultat “Ek” Vasinachindakeaw of “Dreamgirls” fame.

“Cocktails the Musical” is set in a piano bar where the mixologist, played by Pich, is trying to concoct the same special cocktail he prepared for a young man a couple of weeks earlier. They went home together and the following morning the young man left, leaving a note saying he had gone away on a business trip and promising to return. Two weeks have now passed and he is due back in the bar that night. As he experiments, he starts arguing with an imaginary friend as to whether his special customer will show and reflecting on earlier failed relationships. Belgian pianist Jonas Dept is the bar’s pianist and also acts in the musical.

 “Pich first invited me just to play the piano then later offered me a speaking part. First, I composed the music for all the songs. I’ve played in a band but had no acting experience. Ek, though, has helped me a lot, showing me how to express my feelings,” says the Belgian who speaks some Thai.

The musical features 10 songs; eight of them written by Pich. The title tune “Cocktail” is repeated in four distinct styles, each representing a different type of love. Tequila Sunrise represents a romantic beach walk in the sunset and has a waltz rhythm. Sex on the Beach is strong, just like Caribbean music, Latin, or salsa. Gin and Tonic, on the other hand, is compared to a love that has become drab. 

 “Each cocktail has its own identity and represents one person,” says Dept, who worked as a bartender for eight years before taking to the piano.

“Jonas showed me how to mix a cocktail and how to use equipment, including a shaker. Sometimes, though, I have trouble taking off the lid during the show and other times, the lid flies off and falls on the floor. But I always manage to go on with the show,” Pich says with a giggle.

Asked how different he has found writing songs for the musical rather than a band, he doesn’t hesitate for an instant.

“It’s completely different. Writing songs for the band is mostly about feelings and comparisons, but songs for the musical are based on the story. Some songs represent the feeling, others are part of the dialogue,’ he says.

 

“Cocktails the Musical” performs at Thonglor Art Space until February 15. 

For more information and tickets, visit Facebook.com/thonglorartspace.