Songs of Hope

Teravat Anuvatudom first listened to Chaliang's music when he was a Mathayom 6 student. He liked the lively songs that departed from other pop numbers, and wondered who was the brilliant songwriter behind them. Not only does he now know the master songwriter, Prapas Cholsaranon, but the two of them are also working under the same roof at Workpoint Entertainment.

Teravat, Prapas and Chaliang band members are all alumni of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Architecture. Prapas had long graduated when Teravat went to university, where he engaged in extracurricular activities of acting and writing plays that laid the foundation to a future in the entertainment business.

Prapas, a Workpoint top executive, likes to keep a low profile, however, and serves only as an adviser to The Legend of Rekhaifun Chaliang The Musical _ Teravat's first shot at directing a musical. It brings him back to doing live theatre, whereas his main responsibility as the managing director of Tohgloam (Workpoint's daughter company) is producing TV sit-coms.

The musical project followed the success of the 2007 stage play, Chai Klang, starring Udom 'Nose' Taepanich and Pornchita 'Benz' Na Songkla with Teravat directing. Premiering today at M Theatre, The Legend of Rekhaifun Chaliang The Musical is the first ever jukebox musical based on songs by a Thai band.

How will it fare compared to shows like We Will Rock You, featuring Queen's greatest hits, and the Mamma Mia! mix of Abba songs?

The tall, light-hearted director didn't miss Mamma Mia! coming to Bangkok in August, but it failed to score highly with him. ''Abba's songs are mostly love songs, and Mamma Mia! is predominantly a love story. Chaliang songs not only talk about love but also have whimsical subjects that allow us to come up with a multi-faceted story for our first jukebox musical,'' he said.

To the ears of a liberated teenager, Chaliang's music was catchy but the young Teravat didn't really fathom what was hidden in them. Now in his early 40s, he appreciates Prapas' philosophical lyrics and believes that they add value to the musical because the audience will find it thought-provoking as well as entertaining.

Rekhaifun, for example, encourages you not to stop dreaming and to follow your dreams until they come true, believing that anything is possible. Ton Chaba Kub Khon Ta Bord is about a blind man valuing the beauty of a flower even though he can't see it, while Nithan Hing Hoi reflects on the way something beautiful we have sought after can lose its value after we've obtained it.

''They're meaningful, easy-listening songs, songs of hope, and songs of positive thinking. Altogether, 30 of Chaliang's songs string together for a flowing and fascinating plot,'' said Teravat, whose sense of humour has always associated him with making comedies.

Laughter as well as tears are anticipated from the audience as the curtain goes up today at M Theatre. Although the most important task for the director is to help the audience relate to the musical and appreciate the essence of the story, besides enjoying it as a spectacle.

The Legend of Rekhaifun Chaliang The Musical is a tale of two imaginary cities, Takka whose citizens think rationally and behave formally according to the rules, and Aekkanaek, where the carefree folks follow their feelings to lead a happy life. A cross-cultural conflict certainly occurs when they meet but Takka's Pannuang, who already has a fiancee, can't use the rules of logic to explain his feelings towards the lovely Phrachan from Aekkanaek, and so a love triangle begins.

''Analysing Chaliang songs, we pick up the interesting theme of logic contradicting emotion,'' said the director. ''People from two extremes, Takka and Aekkanaek find it hard to get along together. But someone, who is different from us shouldn't be regarded as an enemy and we can learn to live harmoniously together. With the domestic political conflict of the last two to three years, this story very much relates to Thailand.''

Undoubtedly, the show is a must-see for Chaliang fans. Also with an Academy Fantasia bunch in the cast, it will likely draw crowds of AF devotees. Teravat, however, wants it to be a musical for everyone, not a particular group.

''When we watch Mamma Mia! or The Lion King, we want to see the story not the stars, and we appreciate the actors and their performances even though we don't know who they are,'' he said. ''It's a pity that really good Thai stage plays find only a small audience because there are no stars in the show. A change of thinking will help to develop the Thai theatre scene, and the theatre as a career.''

The cast of AF artists features Pisanu Nimsakul, Savitree Suttichanond, Vonthongchai Intarawat, Nat Sakdatorn, Pakamon Boonyaphooti and Mintita Wattanakul. Veteran actors Suprawat Patamasutr and Yanee Tramoth together with Pawanrat Naksuriya and Wichai Jongprasithporn join them for a stunning ensemble performance.

The question on everyone's lips is, will Chaliang come on stage? Only one former member, Su Boonliang, will make a special appearance in the show. With most of their songs written by Prapas Cholsaranon, Chaliang released their first album in 1982 and broke up after their sixth album in 1991. Almost two decades later, Teravat considers their songs timeless and believes that the new generation will like them as much as he does.

Pisanu 'Boy' Nimsakul, 31, who plays the male lead, Pannuang, was familiar with only a few of Chaliang songs before getting the role. Now knowing the 30 numbers in the musical, he notes how they differ from today's pop songs, which are mostly about love and lamenting about a broken heart.

''Nowadays, not many bands offer songs with meaningful messages, and there are fewer songwriters who can write philosophical lyrics,'' said Boy, who's in top form in his second musical.

''Being in the show I can make a contribution to bringing back Chaliang's music so that the new generation can listen to these beautiful songs.''

Debuting in a Thai musical, Savitree 'Beau' Suttichanond takes the leading role as Phrachan. The 24-year-old Beau, who went to high school and university in the US, didn't listen much to Chaliang oldies until indie band Scrubb made a modernised cover version of Thur Moon Rob Chan Chan Moon Rob Thur.

''Scrubb's cover version was a hit, and I believe that Chaliang songs can relate to today's teens, who can sing along and imaginatively think along and get more value out of the songs,'' she said. By coincidence, the up-and-coming actress sweetly chants her own interpretation of Thur Moon Rob Chan Chan Moon Rob Thur in the musical.

Rekhaifun, the theme song, personally appeals to her. ''In the story, Phrachan never gives up hope that one day her dream will come true. In this way, she's really like me,'' said Savitree.

''Even though I have an educational background in political science and international studies, I eventually made it into showbiz _ something that I dreamed of ever since I was a kid. When you really believe in something, just go and get it.''

Presented by Workpoint Entertainment, Tohgloam and True Fantasia, 'The Legend of Rekhaifun Chaliang The Musical' is staged at M Theatre, New Phetchaburi Road, today (October 2) and continues until October 18. Performances are on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 7:30pm with weekend matinees at 2pm. Tickets cost 800/1,000/ 1,500/ 2,000/2,500 and 3,500 baht. For tickets and more information, please visit www.we-booking.com, www.rekhaifun.com, or call 02-900-9999 ext 4.

Relate Search: 'The Legend of Rekhaifun Chaliang The Musical, Chaliang, Teravat Anuvatudom, Prapas Cholsaranon, Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Architecture, Workpoint Entertainment