The street as a stage

Published on November 1, 2007

A take from the Makhampom Theatre Group’s ‘Likhit Naga’.

Performance fans are in for a treat this month as the popular Bangkok Theatre Festival heralds the arrival of the cool season with shows being staged in Santi Chaiprakarn Park on Phra Athit Road and other areas around Bang Lamphu from Saturday through November 18.

"We're really excited and will be looking for new faces in the audience," says artistic director Suwanee Utoomma.

"At first, we were worried about drawing enough of a crowd but past experience has shown us that the new generation is interested in what we're trying to do."

Launched in 2002, in collaboration with groups of play masters and contemporary creators, the festival has done much to increase public awareness of the Kingdom's traditional cultural arts and also kindled interest in more modern dramas.

Organised by the Bangkok Theatre Network, Bang Lamphu Community and the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, the festival is now a well-established annual event that runs over the first three weekends of November.

But, says Suwanee, much more remains to be done, both in terms of publicising the event and obtaining funding.

"There are more stage groups emerging every year, but most people don't know about them, their shows or even this festival.

"There's much more to a play than just the performance. The playmaker has to come up with an idea, set his stage, put on a show and check on the audience feedback.

"By holding this festival, we are encouraging youth groups to stretch themselves and help professional troupes to develop. In the longer term, we would like to become something like a fringe festival in the West," she adds.

Suwanee agrees that today's younger performers in general have more of a chance to forge a career in the arts than 15 or 20 years ago. But while wannabe singers and TV actors can expect parental support, stage thespians have a harder time.

"The kids need to focus on the meaning of the plays rather than strive for stardom," says the artistic director, who is also a member of Makhampom Theatre Group. "Even today, most parents don't understand our performances."

This year's festival features 45 troupes who will be putting on 60 plays and 200 shows around the city. The theme is "Senthang Nee Mee Khwamsuk" ("Theatre Route") and is funded with the Bt3 million provided by the Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the Culture Ministry's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture.

Festival-goers can catch performances in Santi Chaiprakarn Park, at restaurants and universities around Bang Lamphu. The park is being divided into several sites, offering a range of activities for kids and families, as well as corners for art, traditional and street performance. The events run from 4 to 11pm on weekends and admission is free.

Plays include "Likhit Naga" ("The Message)" by Makhampom Theatre Group; "Jai" ("Yak") and "Gi" ("Ant") by Baby Mime & 8x8; "Rai Pamnak" ("Where Should I Lay My Soul?") by 8x8; "Taa Doo Dao Thao Yieb Ther" ("Push Up") by Damkerng Thitapiyasak; "Salang" ("Bitter Love") by Crescent Moon Theatre; "Sang Sawang Jaak Prapakarn" ("Lighthouse") by Makhampom; "Muea Phom Lub Nai Khuen Patiwat" ("When I Slept Over the Night of the Revolution") by Naked Masks Network; "Mozart in Mischief" by Nuni Productions; and "Yod Luead Thi Huead Hai: Ang Wang Khwam Cham Namta" ("Hunger Based on Hope McIntyre") by Chulalongkorn University. Tickets start at Bt100.

"Why not free? Some groups have told us that they are really struggling to survive and it's true that we all need support. We feel that some of that support should come from the public and we think that if we can build up a culture of ticket buying, it will help build the theatre. The tickets are very reasonably priced," Suwanee explains.

"We are sometimes asked why the Makhampom stage isn't bigger. One day we will expand but right now we prefer to keep it small as we want to communicate with the people."

The festival line-up also includes theatre groups from India, Taiwan and the US, and while there will be a small ceremony to hand out the Best Play awards, this year's programme does not include any workshops.

However, there will be four talks covering "Silapathorn and the Contemporary Play", "Criticism and Public Voices", "Foreigners' Attitudes to Thai plays" and "Youth Plays in Capitalism".

Suwanee is hoping the weather stays mainly dry during the festival weekends - rain has been a problem in previous years.

"Next year, we may move many of the performances to a new art gallery, which should be completed by then, or perhaps to a stadium," she says.

For more information, schedules and selected bookings, visit Lakorn.org, e-mail bkktheatrefest2007@yahoo.com or call

(085) 920 8226.

Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

The Nation