Biting satire

Adapted from Polish playwright Slawomir Mrozek's play "Vatzlav", "Sat Burut Sut Khop Lok" is "a political satire on contemporary situations in Thailand", says the director, Dangkamon "Fiat" Na-Pombejra.

As adapted by Dangkamon, the story involves a ship-wrecked slave named Yot Khon (Vatzlav in the original Polish version), who is washed ashore in the land of Battonia,  which is ruled by Count Batcula and Countess Bat, vampires who feed on people's blood. The Bats are being deposed by the rebels representing the bewildered public led by General Bushbarian, who orders all camels be castrated, while not clearly defining who is a camel. An opportunist, Yot Khon, attempts to exploit the situation, even by acting as a Bear to be hunted. At one point, he runs a theatre where the audience can take a look at naked justice in the form of a striptease artist named Yutitham, the daughter of a famous philosopher, Atchariya. Later, Yot Khon meets the blind Oedipus, a guardian of an obsolete moral law and an informer for the Bats. In the end, his motives become vague. He manages to escape from the execution ordered by the rebels and sets off for another shore. Will he succeed?

Dangkamon asks: "Does that sound familiar?"

And, indeed, it does.

"I think what each person will gain from watching this play will vary greatly. It also depends on how interested you are in politics, whether you have a sense of humour, and if you are conservative," Dangkamon says. "Some will laugh their heads off while others may giggle. Well, some may even say 'I can't take this!' But at least this play will show a picture of contemporary Thai society and Thai people."

When he started the production, Dangkamon says he first consulted with Polish Ambassador Bogdan Góralczyk.

"He said it was an excellent choice, but it's very difficult," Dangkamon explains. "Mrozek's style is like cartoon caricature and the play is filled with references to Polish and European culture and politics. Translating it to communicate with the Thai audience was very challenging."

"Each character represents various traits of human behaviour, which in this case reflects those of Thai people," Dangkamon says. "The title character is a person who interprets everything in ways that benefit him the most. Although his life is under those who are more powerful than him, he wants to do everything independently. His morals are mixed up. Whatever profits him is considered good and whatever not is bad."

"The play harshly satirises human follies with dark humour. Yet, in the world of these characters, they still have gods, national heroes, money, etc to hold on to. Each has his own logic and his actions can be logistically explained no matter how absurd they are. From this, the chain reaction affects all of us," Dangkamon says.

The stylised set and costume designs are created by Ritirong Jiwakanon, a Yale University graduate who worked on Broadway productions. His works include "Koo Kam the Musical", "River of Kings", "Spring's Awakening", and "Pink Elephant".

Apart from undergraduate and graduate student actors, the play features two rising stars, Nawapadon Mingtum, or "Mew AF2", and Natvara "Som" Hongsuwan, who won a Supannahong Award for her role in the 2002 teen comedy-drama, "Girl's Friends",

After the performance on Sunday, theatre critic Kittisak Suwannapokin and social critics Tun Sitthisomwong, Winarat Laohaphakhakun, Chittrakon Butsaba, and Chaloemchai Yotmalai will join a post-show discussion on Thai politics.

Sat Burut Sut Khop Lok will be performed at 7pm on Thursday and Friday and at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday until September 2 at Chulalongkorn University Alumni Association. Tickets are Bt250 (Bt150 for students), available at CU Book Centre in Siam Square, or by calling (02) 218 4802. For more, see vatzlav2007.multiply.com.

Pawit Mahasarinand  

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