Theatre in Bangkok
Without a history of Theatre, encouraging drama and stagecraft in Thailand is not easy.
"Bertolt Brecht's work resonates with Thai audiences” said the dynamic young woman who heads up one of Thailand’s foremost creative production houses, Khun Ta Vilada of Karaked Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Bangkok.
As a young actress, Khun Ta played the lead in the first production in Thailand of Brecht‘s “The Exception to the Rule”, which was sponsored by the Goethe Institute. Despite her busy role as producer in different media, later this year she will play in another Brecht work “The Good Woman of Szechuan” to be produced in Bangkok by The 28 Group of which she is a founder member.
Although her work over the last 18 years has been in connection with the stage rather than the small screen, she is in frequent demand by Thai TV. Having just recently filmed a major TV documentary in India on the World Heritage sites of Ajanta and Elora, she is currently making a TV series based on the Book of Youth, a 30-volume work by the Thai monarch, King Bhumipol Adulyadej.
Next year, she will produce and organize a glittering Grand Parade down Rachadamnoen Road in Bangkok for LCI 2008 (International Lions' Clubs), when twenty-five thousand Lion's Club members will meet in the Thai capital. As well as this mammoth task, she will be co-ordinating the TV coverage and scores of functions in connection with the visit.
As a graduate in political science from Bangkok's Ramkamhaeng University, she is well aware of Brecht’s influence in the theatre. “The living tradition of Thai theatre is similar to that of Brecht” she explained to me. “His plays hold a mirror up to Thai society, they are a metaphor for it.”
She admits it is a struggle to stage modern drama in Bangkok, the popularity of TV being a barrier. The fact that Thailand does not have a tradition of paying for theatre is another hindrance. . “Early plays were performed in the Temples where they were staged in traditional fashion to pass on religious messages and revelations“ she explained.
“There is also a conflict with commercial interests. Sponsorship is frequently offered for concerts where the promotion of a product will lead to offers of free seats“ she said..
“It is an uphill task” she smiled as she spoke “but my fourteen staff and I feel that it is worth it. We do what we can to keep the flag of worldwide culture flying, but always within Thai traditions”.
I would say she’s winning.
See also: Bangkok, Music, Ballet & Theatre and Bangkok Post's Advice Taken Blog
