Love and war IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Published on August 25, 2007

Though you may not have heard much about them, the ongoing plays "Kon Rak Game Love" and "Where Should I Lay My Soul?" are worth your attention - and your attendance.

Skilfully adapted from David Hare's "The Blue Room" and Eric Bentley's "Round 2" - both of which were based on Arthur Schnitzler's "La Ronde" - Damkerng Thitapiyasak's new play "Kon Rak Game Love" offers an insightful and entertaining commentary on romantic relationships in contemporary Thailand.

The 10-scene play is a realistic exploration of various facets of the game of love and sex, running just short of two hours without an intermission. In all that time there were only a handful of let-down moments.

As well as varying their pace, the veteran director filled the two-character scenes with drama and dark humour. He also brought his creative touch to the Tadu Contemporary Art's wide acting space, dressing it sparingly with a few practical props.

All four of his actors worked well together, their strong characterisations and sheer energy captivating the audience. As the scenes progressed, Pariya Wongrabiab managed effortless and believable transformations from street walker to  bored politician's wife to eccentric pop-song writer, then back to street walker for the last scene. Meanwhile, Kriangkrai Fukasem adjusted his voice, posture, gestures, and tempo to portray in turn a taxi driver, a bisexual politician and a rich upcountry gent. Sasidsorn Suithigasame and Sathika Poksab's character portrayals were a touch less convincing, showing, perhaps, their relative lack of acting experience.                          

While its forerunner "The Blue Room" was dubbed "theatrical Viagra", the sexual encounters in "Kon Rak Game Love" were staged with enough taste to avoid stirring a similar reaction. Given this discretion, I was surprised the producer announced the play unsuitable for those under 20 years of age. After all, it's this younger age group who - thanks in part to texting, MSN Messenger and HI 5 - fall in and out of love at the touch of a button, making a game out of the ups and downs of sex and romance.

Theatre 8X8's "Where Should I Lay My Soul?" is another theatre highlight this month, even if it has so far avoided the media and public spotlight.

Well researched and staged with ample panache by another seasoned playwright, Nikorn Saetang, the 75-minute production is inspired by the controversy surrounding the Yasukuni Shrine, and poses questions about war and peace as well as life and death in both Japanese and Thai cultures.

With the help of clairvoyant Chanchai, the spirit of World War II Japanese soldier Tadashi returns to Thailand to find his friend Shinsukae so they can fulfil their pact to rest in peace at Yasukuni. Nikorn adds extra bite with his satirical take on the Thai character.

In a parallel plot, Chanchai is pursued relentlessly by the spirit of Mook, his ex-girlfriend. She dumped him, only to regret her hasty actions, but accidentally killed herself before she could make amends.

Although the synopsis makes it sound like a tragic Japanese story, in the flesh this cross-cultural collaboration turned out to be more universal and more fun than I expected - after all, people of all cultural backgrounds can relate directly to issues of war and peace, life and death.

In keeping with Theatre 8X8's track record the play featured a terrific ensemble, all 10 actors throwing themselves into portrayals of the living and the dead to tell this engaging story. Perhaps benefiting from physical-theatre workshops, the disciplined performers were able to conjure up scenes as various as a Chinese cemetery, a moving train bogey, a Japanese military camp, and more, with only a rectangular white box as prop. It's also noteworthy that the two dynamic Japanese actors Shoko Tanikawa and Yasuhiro Ikeda - who joined the company only for the length of this play's run -  fitted in seamlessly.

About 90 per cent of the dialogue was Thai, the remainder Japanese, with the whole script professionally translated into English and Japanese in subtitles projected above the stage. In other words, "Where Should I Lay My Soul?" is another play - in addition to Makhampom's "Mahajanok Never Say Die" - which you can safely take your ex-pat and tourist friends to see. All will be similarly entertained, and all will probably want to engage in discussions about the play's messages afterwards. Of course, as a Thai playgoer, you can also be extra proud of this exemplary contemporary Thai theatre production.

"Kon Rak Game Love" performs every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 8pm until Sunday, September 2. Tadu Contemporary Art is a 90-seat venue on the 7th floor of the Barcelona Motors Building on Thiam Ruam Mit Road (about 400 metres from Thailand Cultural Centre). Tickets are Bt350, or Bt200 for students. For seat bookings call (02) 645 2461 or (086) 787 7155. More information at www.tadu.net.

"Where Should I Lay My Soul?" runs through till Sunday, August 26, with further performances on Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1. 8X8 Corner is a 30-seat venue in Sam Yan Market (MRT: Sam Yan, Exit 2). Evening performances begin at 7:30. Tickets are Bt300, or Bt250 for those in a group of 20 or more. Seat bookings can be made by calling (02) 215 4232 or (081) 685 7588. For more information, visit www.theatre8X8.com.

Pawit  Mahasarinand

The Nation

The writer can be contacted at Pawit.M @ chula.ac.th.