Two weekends have already passed for the fifth edition of the Bangkok Theatre Festival. Annually organised by the Bangkok Theatre Network, a large group of Thai professional theatre makers and drama schools, with the strong support from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), TK Park and Thai Health Promotion, get together for offerings on stage. This year's theme is "Differences in Harmony".

Hoping to understand what this theme truly means, I attended three shows last weekend.

Makhampom's "Mahajanok Never Say Die II" is proof of how His Majesty the King's tale of perseverance can be adapted by skilful and creative minds to modern day people and their troubles. With only two actors and a few props, Pradit Prasartthong and Richard Barber managed to successfully draw links between what is currently happening in Northern and Southern Thailand.

Last year's Episode I was performed in an experimental style of multimedia likay. Episode II improves on both the script and style, using traditional Thai movements mixed with Western-style acting.

Drama Arts Chula's adaptation of the American short comedy "Overtones" is commendable for the fact that it doesn't sound like an almost-century-old play. However, the audiences found themselves fanning themselves more often than laughing, due to the lack of appropriate air-conditioning. The lighting and sound equipment were also sub-par.

Flower of Entertainment's "Be Loved" is Wannasak "Kuk" Sirilar's attempt to retell "Man of La Mancha" through the eyes of Aldonza.

While the audience appreciates Kuk's acting skills and talents in his first dramatic solo performance, the play's message doesn't quite come across. A dramaturge and a director should have been in service.

The differences in dramatic genres, theatrical styles, audiences, etc, is one of the charms of this small, yet significant festival. Another is the integration between the traditional and the modern, the local and the foreign. Yet, many audience members, who have visited year after year, wish the organisers had received more financial and organisational support. This may have expanded the festival to more venues across the city and enabled international collaboration.

Then, perhaps, two unfortunate incidents might have been avoided. First, many "Overtones" audiences last Saturday night at Comme were surprised to find that the restaurant managed to run their business simultaneously. While the characters in period costumes were having tea, we heard a waitress yelling "Tom yam gai nam sai" ("Spicy clear chicken soup") loud and clear. It should be noted here that the restaurant received some share of ticket sales and that the play ran for only 25 minutes.

Second, hoping to provide a larger performing space for carefully selected shows by professional troupes, the organiser set up the Fenced Stage near the northern end of Phra Sumen Fort. After the first weekend run of "Purgatory", a collaboration of Crescent Moon, B-Floor and Bangplay, somebody raised hell, filing a complaint to the BMA that a performance in a public park should never charge any admission. As a result, the artists will not earn their small pay from the boxoffice, but must live on donations.

Well, then, can I file a complaint to the Ministry of Culture when I feel that an imported show at the Thailand Cultural Centre is overcharging?

The Bangkok Theatre Festival 2006 wraps up tomorrow at Santi Chaiprakarn Park as well as a number of restaurants and cafes along Phra Athit Road. Some shows are free, while others cost up to Bt150. Additional donations are also welcome. For an up-to-date programme, call (089) 791 6220, visit www.lakorn.org or e-mail infobtf@lakorn.org. For reservations, call (089) 700 1470.

Street parking is scarce and not allowed from 4 to 8pm on Saturdays, so please take public transportation. Otherwise, a flat-rate Bt50 for all evening parking at the nearby PTT petrol station is the best bargain.

For this last weekend, I highly recommend Sao Soong Theatre's "Mong", performed in Internet chat-room lingo. Supported by a grant from the Rockefeller Foundation, this satirical comedy was developed overseas and has toured many venues in Bangkok. The play will be performed today at 7.30pm and tomorrow at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm at the Wat Sangwet School Auditorium.

Another satire having garnered good reviews and full-house attendance last weekend is "Chiaochao" ("Noisy") by Oui Theatre. The play will be performed today and tomorrow at 6pm at Indy.

A revival of one of this year's most remarkable plays and a unique satire on how we make good and bad use of our mouth is 8X8 Theatre's "Mouth". The play will be performed today, 8.30pm at the Fenced Stage.

The public is also invited to join a discussion evaluating the past five festivals and mapping out the future. Scheduled to take part in the talk are, among others, noted scholars Prof Chetana Nagavajara and Prof Surapone Virulrak, as well as veteran directors Pradit Prasartthong and Suwandee Chakravoravudh. The discussion takes place today at 4.30pm at the Fenced Stage.

And for those who aren't fluent in Thai, "Mahajanok Never Say Die, Episode II", will be performed in English at Hemlock tomorrow at 6pm. Internationally renowned dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun and his Life Work Company will also stage two performances at Santi Chaiprakarn Park today at 8pm and tomorrow at 7.30pm.

Pawit Mahasarinand

The Nation

The writer can be contacted at pawit.m@chula.ac.th.