Up for the spotlight
Thammasat University’s Professor Somporn Fourrage to be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the upcoming IATC Thailand event
Last year, dance and theatre activities, deemed as “entertainment”, were curbed for 30 days and the annual Bangkok Theatre Festival cancelled as Thailand went into mourning for His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
But even without the performances scheduled during that period, members of the Thailand centre of the International Association of Theatre Critics (IATC) felt that many exemplary works staged throughout the remainder of the year should be honoured. The aim too was to encourage their creators to continue working in contemporary Thai dance and theatre, despite decreasing support from the government, which continues to allocate its interest and the majority of its budget to the preservation of traditional arts.
And so thanks to the continued support of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and ShouldBe Catering, the nominees for the 11 categories of IATC Thailand Dance and Theatre Awards 2016 were recently announced.
With the quantity and quality of works by and presented at Thong Lor Art Space (TLAS), currently the most active venue and producer, it comes as no surprise that the centre has been duly recognised by critics. The leader in the nomination list is “Khon kang pla”, the Thai translation of contemporary American drama “Stick Figures”. As the play was presented, rarely for Thailand, with two casts, English- and Thai-speaking, on alternating evenings and afternoons, we also have an unusual situation in the five-year history of IATC Thailand Awards. Two actresses are up against each other for best performance for the same role – Varattha Tongyoo in “Khon kang pla” and Sasapin Siriwanij in “Stick Figures”. Some are wondering if they will cancel each other out and “Nithan hinghoi: The Chaliang Musical’s” Kanda Witthayanuparp- yuenyong will steal it with her surprising comedic turn. Like the build-up to any awards ceremony, let the guessing game continue.
Varattha’s male counterpart Wasu Wanrayangkul was also nominated and with three actors highly noted for their performances, the director of both “Khon kang pla” and “Stick Figures”, Pattarasuda Anuman Rajadhon, is on the final list for directing award as well.
Teerawat Mulvilai is nominated for the best director for political physical theatre “Fundamental. Photo/Wichaya Artamat
Other shortlisted directors are Surachai Petsangrot for his “Ban sam wan song khuen” (“Home”) and Teerawat Mulvilai for political physical theatre “Fundamental”, which is also a nominee for best movement-based performance, best performance by an ensemble and best art direction.
TLAS’s “Cocktails The Musical” is up for best musical, as well as best book of a musical and best performance by a male artist for Witwisit Hiranyawongkul, who, nine years ago, was nominated for a Suphannahongsa Award for his star performance in “Love of Siam”. It’s difficult to predict who will take home this acting award, though, as Wasu has also garnered many rave reviews and the two are up against Silpathorn artist Nikorn Saetang whose performance as the title character was truly delightful in “Happy New Year Mr Smith”. The latter is also up for best play and best original script by Nophand Boonyai.
Another contender for best musical is Dreambox’s “Mom” whose book and art direction also have nods. Rounding out the musical categories is Studio 41’s “The Wife: A New Musical”, an adaptation of popular novel “Mia Luang”, up for best musical and book.
The IATC Awards wouldn’t be complete without Democrazy Theatre Studio and “Happy Hunting Ground”, its collaboration with Germany’s Badisches Staatstheater Karlsruhe, which was re-staged last month in Karlsruhe and Ludwigshafen, is nominated for best movement-based performance and art direction. Democrazy can also take credit for its support of a young, and the increasingly exciting Splashing Theatre Company for “The Disappearance of the Boy on a Sunday Afternoon”, a finalist for best play and best original script awards.
It’s noteworthy that the critics have clearly snubbed works that are adaptations and yet have failed to recognise or credit their original sources.
Before handing out awards next Tuesday, the critics will share their thoughts and comments on the current trends in contemporary Thai dance and theatre in a short discussion session. All participants can get a free copy of IATC Thailand’s annual book of reviews, in Thai and English at the door.
NO RED CARPET
- The IATC Thailand Dance and Theatre Review 2016 takes place in the 1st floor multi-purpose room of BACC (BTS: National Stadium) on April 18 starting at 6pm.
- All dance and theatre artists and enthusiasts are welcome. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.
- For more details and complete list of nominees, visit Facebook.com/IATC.Thailand.
