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Appealing to a melting pot of cultures, Bangkok stages all sorts of performing art shows, ranging from community theatre plays to multi-million baht productions, from Khon, to Macbeth, to Don Giovanni, to The Nutcracker and modern dance.
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What: Hanuman The Mighty
When: Until December 30 (every Thursday, Friday and Saturday)
Where: Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, Charoen Krung Road
Contact: +66 (0)2 262 3456
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Hanuman, the monkey god, is one of the legendary characters depicted in Ramakien, the famous Thai masked dance performance based on Ramayana, the great Indian epic. Renowned for his courage, power, loyalty and selfless service, Hanuman is a noble hero and a great devotee of Phra Ram (Rama). These qualities are vividly portrayed in 'Hanuman The Mighty', the new Thai masked dance production currently playing at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. The classic tale is retold in eight acts. Khon, the Thai masked dance, is a classical art which combines three schools of traditional performing arts; Chak Nak Duek Damban, Krabi Krabong (a form of martial arts) and Nang Yai shadow play. Khon is partly derived from Lakhon Nai (a stage drama performed in the royal courts). In the past, all Khon performers wore masks and thus needed narrators to project voices for their characters. Today, the narrators still retain their roles in Khon despite an adaptation that human and angel characters no longer wear masks. Only monkey or demon characters still wear masks on stage. The most popular script is the Ramakien, which is based on India 's Ramayana epic. Written by Valmiki, the epic narrates an episode of Phra Narai (Narayana or Vishnu) who is reborn to a human so as to save both humans and angels from the terror of Tosakanth (Ravana) - the demon king - in Longka (Lanka) City. A not-to-be-missed cultural and visual feast. Tickets cost 1,000 and 1,200 baht.
Take a look at our Hanuman the Mighty review.
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What: Stuttgart Ballet at it's Best
When: February 8 - 9, 2006
Where: Thailand Cultural Centre Main Theatre, Ratchadapisek Road
Contact: Thaiticketmaster.com
One of the world's most celebrated dance companies, the Stuttgart Ballet, will unveil its latest production 'Stuttgart Ballet at it's Best', complete with a full company of 100 dancers and large technical crew, right here for the second time in Bangkok. Set to the famed scores by Dmitri Schostakowitsch, Gioachino Rossini and Ludwig van Beethoven, Stuttgart's celebrated dance stars originating from over 24 countries will present their most acclaimed classical and contemporary works. The thrilling show incorporates the very best of classical technique twisting and turning in a contemporary new wave of ballet which has overwhelmed audiences all over the world.
Under the legendary artistic direction of John Cranko, the Stuttgart Ballet was propelled into the premier league of world-class ballets which include the American Ballet Theater, Paris Opera Ballet and New York City Ballet. Cranko's ballets, including The Taming of The Shrew, Onegin (Eugene Onegin), the Gilbert and Sullivan romp, Pineapple Poll, and his incomparable Romeo & Juliet, demonstrate his genius in storytelling through dance. The company's tour to New York City in 1969 was such a triumphant success that critics hailed their success "the Stuttgart Ballet Miracle". This critically acclaimed production is an absolute must for all lovers of classical ballet, as well as fans of contemporary ballet, modern dance and jazz dance. Tickets range from 1,500 to 4,500 baht, and will go on sale on December 15.
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Showing at the Sala Chalermkrung Theatre until December 30 as part of 60th anniversary celebrations for the King, Hanuman the Mighty's adventures is a lot more than just distracting, dressy fun. It's a captivating tale about courage, power, loyalty and selfless service. Drenched in Thai mysticism, it's also a fascinating window onto Thailand's classical masked dance, or Khon. Oh, and there's a monkey in it. (READ MORE)
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The lavishness, glamour and elegance embedded within Thai society for centuries is at last captured on stage in an equally grandiose extravaganza! To package together all the grandeur of historical and spiritual Siam in a 80-minute stage production seems a formidable task. Siam Niramit has accomplished this using the best possible method: classic Thai finesse. (READ MORE)
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