Take to a very english act

Despite being widely understood and spoken in larger cities and tourist areas, English is not Thailand's official second language, but a foreign one. Thus, it is quite a surprise that in a span of two weeks, there have been three English plays impressively put up by three local troupes.

Considering the fact that Bangkok has a gradually increasing number of expats, this small, but not trivial, cultural phenomenon - and that more local Thai theatre troupes are presenting plays with English and Japanese surtitles [translated lyrics projected above a stage] - is, perhaps, comprehensible.

Bangkok Community Theatre's "Rumours" was presented at the British Club's Ballroom, one end of which was transformed into a smartly designed and constructed living room of a British minister's house. Director Angela Daniel proved that her comic timing was second to not many as the audience's laughter sounded out almost every minute of this two-act situation comedy by Neil Simon.

The almost faultless co-ordination among thespians of various nationalities in this quick-tempo production was solid proof they had spent long evening hours, after their day's work, in countless rehearsals to create this highly entertaining "evening out" for the community.

Similarly, much effort, sheer love for dramatic arts and social awareness were evident in Caravan Theatre's "Xpat Blue", staged at Novotel Lotus' Ballroom. Led by actress and director Kathy France, the multi-national cast members collectively wrote this performance, telling many extremely hilarious, but sadly true, tales of foreigners living in the City of Angels.

Presented in various styles - monologues, mocking musical numbers, songs and video clips - the anecdotes varied from an adventure on the not-so-tidy street pavements filled with boiling-hot cooking pans and motorcycles to the difficulty in finding extra-large clothing, communicating with taxi drivers and, having fun with street walkers without upsetting the wives.

Finally, at the Crescent Moon Space in Soi Thong Lhor, a new Thai troupe attempted to tap into the new realm. Bangkok Troupers' "The Mind Game" was slightly adapted from England-born and Australian-bred Pat Flower's "The Tape Recorder" by US-educated director Pannatat Po-Dhivejakul.

The one-act, two-character psychological drama spooked the audience with the complex psychopathic tale of a male writer dictating to a female typist.

The director cast Thai actors in these two roles. With his "better than Thai standard diction of English", the audience heard the voice of Keerati Sivakuae, but never saw him on the stage where the engaging performance of Pavinee Samakkabutr, who never uttered a word, took us through this spine-chilling journey. That, indeed, was a wise choice by the Thai director.

It is noteworthy that most of the audience in the first two plays, presented in the style of dinner theatre, were expats and that of the last play, where no food was served, were Thais. This, however, may soon change if this profusion of English plays continues, and we certainly hope so too. And that relies also on the support of local sponsors and mass media.

Then, and let's keep our fingers crossed here, Bangkok will no longer be a performing-arts desert.