All in the family

Published on August 6, 2007

Following the sell-out success of the musical "Fah Jarod Sai", the first production to be staged at the brand new Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre earlier this year, Scenario Company is ready to bring the curtain up on the much-loved comedy "Luk Khun Luang".

Penned by writer and former prime minister MR Kukrit Pramoj, "Luk Khun Luang" was one of the most successful plays ever to be staged at the old Montien Thong Theatre on Surawong Road, running for an unprecedented three months.

Phaoon Chandrasiri, who played Apsorn, a long-time stage actress with an outstanding talent for comedy, makes her directing debut in this latest production.

Written in 1960, the play tells the story of Phakamas (Jintara Sukkhapat) who lives with her three kids - Phichai (Puri Hiranyapruek), Apsorn (Pimada Boriraksupakorn) and Sreethorn (Nattapong Chatpong). Phakamas, who's never been married, hasn't told the children that they all have different fathers.

Now her daughter Apsorn is about to wed a son of Phoonsab (Warapan Ngui-trakul), the very conservative owner of a fish-sauce factory. Phakamas needs to find a husband in order to protect her perfect-family image. But the selection process doesn't go smoothly when all the fathers decide to join the competition.

"The play talks a lot about democracy, so when the protagonist chooses her husband, the procedure is rather like an election, they have a campaign, a debate and voting," says veteran stage actor Yanee Tramote who plays Phakamas' first husband Khun Phra Vijit Phasa.

Phaoon agrees, adding that she has long admired Kukrit's talent for hiding messages in entertaining stories.

"Nobody knows exactly what MR Kukrit wanted to say in this comedy, but his work is timeless and it invites the audience to interpret the message for themselves," she says.

The production team didn't expect at first to get copyright permission from the writer's son.

"When we contacted him, he said okay, but then added something bizarre. He said that if we were sued, we would have to take the responsibility ourselves, so obviously there is something beneath the comedy," she laughs.

Though the story is timeless in terms of the plot, Phaoon has worked hard on the pacing and the script to meet the demands of today's audiences.

"What we laughed at in the past would seem lame to most people today," she says. "The pacing is much more precise and aggressive."

While she's guided her team of young actors from the Scenario stable through their roles, she's avoided manipulating their characters, giving the actors a degree of free expression.

She's also happy to be working with such veterans of comedy theatre as Sukprawat Patamasut, Pawanrat Naksuriya and Warapan.

"The casting department plays a very important roles in the theatre. When it does its job well, as it has in this case, the burden is that much lighter."

Jintara is the only new recruit. While she has a gift for drama, the former movie star has repeatedly turned down offers to play in comedies since appearing in "Tuen Tuek" a few years back, a production that also featured Phaoon.

"It's tough for a talented actress who feels like she doesn't belong. I was surprised when she agreed to try again for this production," says the director.

The director is excited about her directorial debut, not because it will add to her credits, but more because it will enlarge Thai audiences' perceptions of theatre.

When Muang Thong Ratchadalai Theatre opened earlier this year, the crowds thronged to see "Fah Jarod Sai". Many had also enjoyed Scenario's earlier production of "Tawipob" at the Thailand Cultural Centre.

"I think audiences may equate a good production with a musical, with singing and dancing by their favourite superstars and spectacular backdrops.

"One reason I hope people will come to see this play is that they will understand theatre has a different side, that it doesn't need to have songs or extravagant scenery to be enjoyed," she says.

"Luk Khun Luang" opens on August 17 at Muang Thai Ratchadalai Theatre with performances every Wednesday to Sunday at 7.30pm and 2pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are Bt500, Bt800, B1200, Bt1500 and Bt1800.

Parinyaporn Pajee

The Nation