All in the imagination

A FORMER AMBASSADOR once pointed out to me that in this supposedly democratic country, many people wore some kind of uniform – think civil servants, bank employees and the like. I concurred, adding that many of my foreign friends were amazed to see Thai university students also attired in uniforms but rationalised this age-old custom as a way for us to maintain a certain kind of order, perhaps even self-discipline.
That thought came back to me last Friday evening during a scene of “Mano Land”, a dance-theatre work by B-Floor Theatre, staged by Teerawat “Ka-ge” Mulvilai as part of the Pridi Banomyong Institute’s Diverse Arts Festival.
It flashed through my mind as I watched all six performers hold a pose then one by one try to break out of the pattern, only to be greeted by a long and sarcastic “Jaaaa”, which stopped as soon as the recalcitrant individual got back in line.
The scene demonstrated how much easier it is for us in Thailand – the supposed land of the free – to conform than to think or express our thoughts freely and get into trouble. And instead of accepting our differences, we tend to conform to one of very few camps or groups and then attack one another, these days most ferociously on social media, as most of the other media are forced to conform to order.
Like most of Ka-ge’s works, “Mano Land” was wrought with strong socio-political messages. The comical opening scene in which each dancer performed his or her solo movements while the others verbally interpreted these, both in Thai and English, using their imagination – or “mano” – effectively drew the audience in. The humour, with its mocking tone, continued throughout the one-hour work.
Vidura Amranand, attired in a striking red dress the colour of which would cause people to “mano” more, was the only veteran performer among the six-member cast. Though a well-unified ensemble bursting with sheer energy, the remaining five, younger and less experienced performers still needed time to perfect certain movements and would have done well to relax more and thus really enjoy performing. Yet it is worth remembering that the presence on stage of these new B-Floor faces also guarantees the bright future of this physical theatre company.
Performed on an empty stage with an unpainted plywood floor, thus putting full attention on the performers, in an auditorium with white walls and ceiling and a few black curtains, it was difficult for lighting designer Pavinee Samakkabutr to add her magic touches.
Sound designer Kamonpat Pimsarn had far more scope and came up with a mesmerising variety of relevant tunes and sound effects mainly on a grand piano. Always supporting the dancers’ performance, he never drew too much attention to himself and his work but was always present and poignant.
 MORE TO COME
- The Pridi Banomyong Institute’s Diverse Arts Festival continues through Saturday.
-The Korean Cultural Centre is supporting a new collaboration between B-Floor and Theatre Monggol as part of the Bangkok Theatre Festival. Bound for Seoul later this year, it will be performed at 8pm on November 12 to 14 at Thong Lor Art Space. Tickets are Bt550 (Bt450 for students). Visit www.Facebook.com/|Thonglorartspace
- For more details, visit www.BFloorTheatre.com.