Friendship in bloom

From left:Varanyu Intrakamhang, Nophand Boonyai and Ornawong Thaisriwong

Published on January 18, 2008

A new Thai play "Dokmai Nai Saengdad" ("Sunflower") may bring some light into your heart this weekend.

At the helm of this small yet promising production is Nophand Boonyai, who has been working as an actor in theatre, film and television for four years after living in England for 13 years.

"I've been back here for two months after another acting class in England. I wanted to create my own work, instead of waiting for good scripts to knock on my door. So, I just wrote the script and staged it myself."

Nophand introduces his play: "The play deals with three people, 25 to 26 years old. They seem to be clearly characterised individuals, but those are the images they want to project to the society, and to one another. They want to show that there's nothing wrong with them.

"There's nothing really special about their relationship. They're close friends, but there's something one doesn't want to reveal to the others. Or, the others don't want to take it as they have their own problems. Sometimes friends are so close that they don't care whether they would hurt one another's feelings by what they say. In this play, actually, I don't focus merely on the relationship of the three people, but each person's personal problems as well."

The presentational style "is stylised but at the same time it's realistic, which is our strength. It's not intense drama, though."

Nophand says he was inspired to write the play after thinking about a night out after a rehearsal with some friends, Ball (Varanyu Intrakamhang) and Golf (Ornanong Thaisriwong).

"We shared a bottle of beer, having previously decided not to stay for long. It turned out we had nine bottles that night. We were drunk, but our conversation was so much fun. I really liked the atmosphere of that night. Several days later, I was thinking about making a short film about it, but I couldn't think of the plot then," Nophand says.

Further inspiration came a couple of months later when he was listening to The Beatles' "With a Little Help from My Friends". "I saw that picture of the three of us again. I saw the opening and the end of the play, but not the middle. And so, I started writing this play. Three days later, I had the first draft, and informed them that I'd stage this play and asked whether they wanted to perform in it," Nophand says.

The play was further developed in a few workshops and discussions about each other's acting problems. "In this play, I'd rather the actors not just think about the script and deliver the dialogues. I don't want them to think that 'Alright, this is all I have to do in this scene, and my role will be meatier in the next scene.' I'd like them to perform from moment to moment. I think the transition between each and every moment is beautiful and intriguing," Nophand says.

With the contribution of the other two actors and, of course, the open mind of the playwright-director, the script has constantly changed through the rehearsal process. Nophand says, "It's more fun. I let them play with it. I keep the good parts they let out, and sometimes we share our thoughts. Oftentimes, I ask for their opinions. They're their characters after all, and they have clearly created these characters. Sometimes when I want a certain stage picture or atmosphere, I give them a question that may not be relevant to the theme of that particular scene. Also, both of them help expand the content of the script and point out what I overlook in the beginning."

Interestingly, the young director has a special bond with this intimate and experimental theatre venue. Nophand says, "I chose to perform here because the Pridi Banomyong Institute feels like home for me. I've frequented it. When I worked with the Crescent Moon Theatre [which is housed there], I learned a lot. When I participated in a physical theatre workshop with B-Floor Theatre here, it opened up my visions. When I have free time, I come here to practice my movements. I never feel bored with it. It's like the space is always appealing to me and it provides endless possibilities. So, when I'm staging my first play, it must be here."

'Sunflower' will be performed at 7.30pm from today until Sunday with 2.30pm matinees tomorrow and Sunday in the Crescent Moon Space at the Pridi Banomyong Institute on Soi Thong Lor (BTS: Thong Lor). Tickets are Bt250 (Bt200 for students). For reservations, call (086) 814 1676. For more details, e-mail Inseadang@hotmail.com.

Pawit Mahasarinand