The Show Must Go On | Bangkok Post: Arts & Culture

Entertainment's HIGHS &LOWS in2011

The theatres across Bangkok were crawling with productions this year, especially during the months preceding the big flood. With the country finding itself in one crisis after another, it would be sorely disappointing if the theatre artists had led us into la-la land when it was Thailand itself that was generating such juicy material for artists to gorge on. But our contemporary struggles and debates were brought to the stage left and right to varying degrees of success. And how exciting that was.

Nijinsky Siam

Patriotism was the name of the game for director Takonkiet Viravan. The Scenario founder used his love of show tunes to express his political message against the so-called anti-monarchy sentiment. His two musicals _ a revival of Tawipob: The Musical and Si Phaen Din: The Musical _ aimed to uplift the spirit of nationalism and show gratitude to the monarchy. It could be an effect of the fourth-year syndrome or just the reliance on the same creative workforce that the direction and the musical composition have become repetitive. But Takonkiet deserves some credit for offering new flavours in Ruang Lao Khuen Fao Phi (Ghost Stories) and Ekachai Uekrongtham's production Boxing Boys, studded with music, dance and pulsating action. With many talents in stock, especially new faces from The Star singing contest, it should not be difficult for Scenario to take a more innovative route in the future.