November is set to be the month of performing arts in Bangkok with the return of the country's biggest gathering of local theatre artists to Santichaiprakarn Park and to pubs and restaurants in the Bang Lamphu community for "Bangkok Theatre Festival 2013".
This year, selected shows will also be staged at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) and participating theatre spaces across the capital.
Organised by the Bangkok Theatre Network in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture's Office of Contemporary Art and Culture, the festival will feature the greatest diversity of performing arts from Nov 2-17.
Presented by about 60 troupes that include professionals, amateurs, and guest artists from overseas, the line-up covers traditional Thai performing arts, folk theatre, drama, contemporary theatre, pantomime, dance, likay folk dance, physical, musical and experimental theatre, acts for children and families, and much more.
Santichaiprakarn Park will be transformed in to a temple fair, and for the first time, BACC's studio on the fourth floor will be turned into a "Black Box Theatre" to serve selected full-scale productions by award-winning artists, international artists and veteran theatre companies.
AMONG THE HIGHLIGHTED PERFORMANCES OF THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL ARE:
Khon Song Chao (The Medium) by the Drama Club of Thai Chamber of Commerce University. Based on a famous work of fiction of the same title by Wimol Sainimnual, the play is directed by Damkerng Thitapiyasak, a theatre director and scriptwriter renowned for his expertise in play adaptation. It will be staged at Santichaiprakarn Park on Nov 2-3 and 9-10 at 7pm.
A-Wa-San Kwam Choey (The End Of Staying Still) by Marongdoo. The forum theatre consists of a couple of short plays which touch on interesting current social issues and the audience are expected to join in to untie the knot of the plays. It will be staged at the Grass Lawn Stage at Santichaiprakarn Park on Nov 2 at 8pm and Nov 9-10 at 5.30pm.
Babymime Show by the country's most beloved pantomime group, Babymime, who are ready to put their unbeatable humour into the festival. It will be staged at Santichaiprakarn Park on Nov 9-10 at 9.30pm.
San Dan Ka (Nature Of The Crow) by B-Floor Theatre. This Butoh dance performance will make a comeback after its premiere in 2009. The show takes inspiration from the the Tripitaka and books of teachings by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu that address evil in disguise of virtue. It will be staged at the Black Box Theatre at BACC on Nov 13-14 at 7.15pm.
For a complete schedule and details about admission fees, visit www.bangkoktheatrenetwork.com or call 081-624-9933 and 080-447-6553.
