Cutting through

Published on September 7, 2007

Wannasak Sirilar, left, and Misuzu Nakamura portray a couple trying to encourage an ailing Superman to fly.

Theatre is a universal language, transcending cultural boundaries, and a fantastic example of this is "5 the Story R", five short plays that are a collaboration by six Thai and four Japanese artists at Tadu Contemporary Art.

Co-organised by Wannasak "Kuck" Sirilar, he directs the first play, which is spine-chilling, showing the spirits of two suicidal women throwing knives at each other. Highly influenced by Japanese horror flicks, it features powerhouse performances by two young actresses, Srinakharinwirot University theatre major Phatphicha "Pukka" Jiratthitikanchai and Sasapin "Pupe" Siriwanij, a recent graduate from Chulalongkorn University and an ensemble member of "Koo Kam".

In the second play, on the theme of happiness, written and directed by Bangkok-based Japanese mime actor Yano Kazuki, Kuck portrays a Japanese photographer. He's visiting an ailing Superman - invisible on stage yet visible in the audience's imagination thanks to the actors' craft. Superman is his son's hero and the doctor looking after him is actually Kuck's character's separated wife. They encourage him to fly again for the sake of their son.

What's super about this segment is the energy of both veteran thespians, how they communicate with different languages - Kuck speaks Thai while Misuzu Nakamura speaks Japanese - and how they make use of other acting techniques. 

Loyalty is the theme of the third play, based on the true story of Japanese courtier Yamada, with director Pisarn Pattanabhiradeth's masterful use of traditional Thai music transporting the audience back to the Ayutthaya Kingdom, where Yamada served the court of King Song Tham. Although the pacing is a bit monotonous, the plot is engaging and Thanakorn Thipayametrakul's characterisation of a Thai nobleman is praiseworthy. His counterpart Shogo Tanikawa, though, is in need of a Thai-language coach and a voice projection trainer.

Next is a play on theme of life, with Srinakharinwirot University theatre major Prisana "Bowling" Kumpusiri delivering the night's most stellar performance. A Thai woman is about to commit suicide yet she finds hope for life where she never expected - in the apartment of a Japanese woman (Katsura Okada), who lost her sister through suicide. This play is mostly in Japanese and partly in English, making it even more realistic.

The finale is on a merry note, with Kuck directing a script by Shogo. Exploring the theme of difference, Pisarn and Yano marvellously play writers/

roommates, with the former pulling a big surprise by confessing his love.

As always, the atmosphere at Tadu is intimate. The technical aspects are limited, yet used to full strength. The actors don't have to belt out their energy to reach the last rows and all members of the audience can clearly see the actors' expressions. During the scene changes, the actors help set the stage for the following play, allowing for swifter transitions - now a standard practice in professional theatre overseas yet rarely used in commercial productions here.

The whole experience brings back fond memories of the vibrancy of the old Tadu at RCA, once a major venue of experimental theatre. Let's hope that Tadu will continue to receive support from other organisations and agencies to create this kind of memorable event again soon.

Evidently, "5 The Story R" is another theatrical event, apart from the recent "Where Should I Lay My Soul?" by Theatre 8x8, which Thai and Japanese audiences can enjoy in this auspicious year of the 120th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.

5 the Story R will be performed at 7pm today and at 2pm and 7pm tomorrow and Sunday at Tadu Contemporary Art, seventh floor, Barcelona Motors Building, Thiam Ruam Mit Road (about 400 meters from Thailand Cultural Centre). Tickets are Bt250 (Bt200 for students). For reservations, call (02) 645 2461. For more details, see www.tadu.net.

Pawit Mahasarinand  

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