Last year's extravagant theatrical spectacle, "Tawipob the Musical", returned to the stage last week, and while there is still evidence of artistic plagiarism and TV soap sensibility, there are some marked improvements.

Part of the credit goes to the better, if not perfect, pairing of the actors in the lead roles.

Owing to the producer's marketing strategy, last season's run paired Suthasinee Buddhinan Rodrigues with Phuthanet Hongmanop, and Panadda Rueangwut with Songsit Rungnopphakhunsi, in the roles of time traveller Maneechan and Siam's first ambassador to the US, Luang Akkharathepwarakon.

However, Panadda and Songsit performed in so few shows that they seemed more like understudies than  half of the double-cast advertised.

Due to popular demand, and perhaps more common sense, this time the roles have been reversed and the revival has mostly Suthasinee as Maneechan and Songsit as Khun Luang.

With two performers able to act and sing, the overall emotional effect is much stronger.

Whenever Songsit and Suthasinee have performed together in the past, they've given such a commanding performance that the musical's romantic aspect and its messages have become more meaningful. Songsit's strong voice coupled with the stage scenery evoke nostalgia for an Old Siam that looks far more pleasant than modern day Bangkok.

Some theatre fans complain that, having already watched the musical twice, they're unwilling to pay another Bt2,500 to watch this better pairing. Others cynically wonder whether the next revival, if there is one, will feature Rong Khaomunkhadi (now portraying the mysterious old man and Chaokhun Wisankhadi) and Pawanrat Naksuriya (playing the housemaid Muan, an audience favourite) in the lead roles, by yet more "popular demand".

Leading cast members aside, other credible adjustments have been made. While there's still too many scene changes, the transition is much smoother.

There's a notable improvement with the tighter and more straight-to-the-point ending.

Changed also, is the computer graphic sequence inspired by "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Woman in White" that opens the show.

The very first image is dominated by a billboard on top of the "Ratchadalai"… a new condominium, perhaps? No, it's a 1,500-seat proscenium theatre co-owned by the producer-director. Wow, what a  plug!

As the scene progresses, billboards of the show's sponsors pop up. Now that's a cheap commercial shot.

While the scenes in the past are visually and musically interesting, other than the "Phantom of the Opera" tune rip-off, their present day counterparts remain forgettable.

They are filled with odd characters like Maneechan's friends Kulwarang and Trong, who are very different from the way they are depicted in the   novel, and desert their friend when she's in trouble.

Their costumes fall so below Maneechan's standard of dress that it's difficult to believe that these three friends actually hang out.

If you can overlook the facts that many numbers and the staging of several scenes are heavily inspired by West End and Broadway musicals (or you simply want to be in vogue) then you'll be happy to pay Bt2,500 to watch this revival.

Otherwise, you may want to consider two other musicals which have received much less media coverage.

First is Bhanbhassa "Kru Ning AF 2" Dhubtien's translation of the political satire classic "Animal Farm," currently showing at Chulalongkorn University (www.ArtsAnimalFarm.tk).

And opening September 1 for a limited run at the Bangkok Theatre at Metropolis is Pannasak Sukhee's "Pippin", starring Nanthawat "To" Asiraphotchanakun (www.PA-BU.com). 

"Tawipob the Musical" runs at Thailand Cultural Centre's Main Hall until September 2. The curtain rises at 7.30pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

There is no performance tonight or from August 28 to 30. Tickets cost Bt2,500, Bt2,000, Bt1,500, Bt1,200, Bt1,000, Bt800 and Bt500 and are available at www.thaiticketmaster.com or by calling (02) 262 3456.

Students can purchase second-balcony Bt500 tickets for Bt300 (binoculars not included). For more info, visit www .tawipob.com.

The next production from this company is the musical adaptation of Sophak Suwan's bestseller "Fa Charot Sai", starring Patiphan "Mos" Patthawikan and Myria "Nat" Benedetti.

Pawit Mahasarinand

The Nation

The writer can be contacted at Pawit.M @ chula.ac.th.