How would one tell the story of a lady who witnessed the ups and downs of Thai society over six decades? In a three-hour-plus restaging of Si Phaen Din (The Four Reigns), by Scenario, such a lifetime story was recounted in a fast and furious manner through a loose interpretation of characters and stereotypical portrayals, while revolving around loyalty to the monarchy amid social change.
The result appears almost like a docudrama show tune, featuring a revue-like mix of narration with flamboyant music and modern dance, against the backdrop of fast-changing society and political reform.
"I love the King" is a key repercussion throughout the show. But what is missing is the motive, which is the gist of the original novel by MR Kukrit Pramoj chronicling the life of a family who goes through the reign of King Rama V to King Rama VIII, with the Siamese Revolution of 1932 as one of the turning points in the destiny of a household. Like flipping through a pack of nice postcards, the audience of this restaging gets an overall picture, but probably finds it difficult to develop any identification with the main characters or to grasp the roots of their loyalty to one of the pillars of the Kingdom.
While Scenario deserves credit for its audacious attempt to musicalise a much-loved novel -- adapted as television series four times since the 1970s -- the stage adaptation struggles to present the main content from the lengthy prose fiction, mostly by sacrificing delicate portrayals of the slow and peaceful life of yesteryear, which is the charm of the literary source. But the writing featuring vignettes of events through the narration of its main character, Ploy, unfortunately comes at the expense of punches, and the musical leaves little impact at the end.
The production still successfully features star magnets from its first two stagings, in 2011 and 2014, including Sinjai Plengpanich, Napat "Gun" Injaiuea, Anuttaphon Sirichumsang and Radklao Amratisha. Clearly the director opted for loose characterisation. Actors were allowed to interpret their characters based on stereotypical images or recreation of animated life. In the role of gentleman-like character Prem, Napat appears like a chirpy charmer in love. The use of main character Ploy to narrate the story at times makes it feel like she is a host of the documentary. Those influencers in Ploy's life, such as heartbroken mum, generous princess and envious stepsisters, all become supporting characters holding packages of angst in life. In certain scenes, overacting turns some characters into angry persons for no reason.
Yet Scenario fans will overlook this typecast acting. Many of their beloved stars bring charm to the stage, but it's Saranyu "Ice" Winaipanit that outshines others -- in both acting and singing capacities. As a determined pro-democracy politician, he expresses fury against his ideological opponent, or misunderstanding in his goodwill, quite convincingly. The musical offers many feel-good and jocular moments. It also keeps its standard with handsome set and costume design, while the musical composition and choreography retain Scenario's signatory patterns of its previous productions.
As the story ends, the restaged version adds visual impact to emphasise the significance of the revered institution. But after long hours and repetition, it becomes overwrought and regrettably loses its effects. Yet it provides a nice landing to end the performance as it intended -- to show how art could echo the sentiment of a nation, even at a time of polarisation in Thai society.
Si Phaen Din The Musical is now running at the Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre, in Esplanade, until Oct 8. Showtimes are scheduled for 7.30pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, and 1.30pm on Saturday and Sundays. Tickets are priced at 500-3,000 baht, and are now available from Thai Ticket Major (thaiticketmajor.com). For more information, visit www.rachadalai.com or call 02-262-3456.
