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The three-way battle earlier this year among stage shows based on Thailand's favourite horror folk tale, Mae Nak, saw critics and audiences choose a better script and acting over expensive marketing and extravagant stage design.

Dreambox's "Mae Nak the Musical" and New Theatre Society's "Nang Nak the Museum" made Scenario's "Mae Nak Phra Khanong the Musical" forgettable - and now both of them are back.

Dreambox's Daraka Wongsiri invested a great deal of research and creativity into her script and lyrics for the sung-through musical "Mae Nak", and the result is a fresh vision of the old tale.

This "Mae Nak" is not a horror, but a social play, with stellar performances by Teeranai Na Nongkhai in the title role and Narinthorn na Bangchang, Maneenuch Samerasuth and Nattapat "Puifai AF4" Wipatkorntrakulin.

This is the best Thai musical in recent memory.

"Nang Nak the Museum" is the funniest play ever by New Theatre Society's Damkerng Thitapiyasak, a master of play adaptation. It ingeniously blends in Noel Coward's "Blithe Spirit", and seems to yell out, "Leave the woman alone - she's been dead for almost two decades!"

The veteran director also brings out the best in his star-studded cast, led by Oranong Thaisriwong, deemed Best Actress at the recent Bangkok Theatre Festival.

The three women in Crescent Moon's "Purgatory" ("Fai Lang Bap") are not ghosts - merely recently deceased. They meet the omnipotent Godie, who encourages them, and the viewers, to reconsider woman's role in society.

The play features four more veterans: Sineenadh Keitprapai, Sarawanee Yodnoon, Farida Jiraphun and Sumontha Suanpholrat.

"Purgatory" drew loud applause from an international audience this past Tuesday in Phnom Penh as part of the Mekong Arts and Media Festival.

Calendars, please

Catch "Mae Nak the Musical" from December 4 to 6 and 11 to 13 at M Theatre for Bt800 to Bt2,000. Go to www.BananaBooking.com.

 "Nang Nak the Museum" is daily except Monday and Tuesday from December 4 to 20 at Makhampom Studio. Call 086 335 0344.

"Purgatory" is from December 3 to 7 at Crescent Moon Space. Seats cost Bt250 and Bt200 for students at (081) 259 6906.