|
Be Wowed by Yesteryear’s Theatrical Traditions
Today
 Now
visitors to the capital can time travel back to 15th century Siam
through performances of khon (Thai Classical Masked Dance) at the
Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre (for reservations call 0 2224 4499,
or visit www.thaiticketmaster.com), the art-deco venue that was
the first air-conditioned cinema in all of Southeast Asia, and hun
lakhon lek (Traditional Thai Puppet) at the Joe Louis Puppet Theatre
(Tel. 0 2252 9683-4, www.thaipuppet.com) in the Suan
Lum Night Bazaar. These exciting shows are packed with traditional
Thai music, bedazzling costumes and dancing mermaids. Once performed
exclusively for the Royal Court, now visitors can enjoy these regal
forms of entertainment.
These extravaganzas are based on the mythical Ramayana. At the
nucleus of the story is how Hanuman, the white monkey warrior, came
to serve the good King Rama, in his quest to defeat the demoniac
overlord Thotsakan and his green-masked minions. During performances
of Khon at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre, English subtitles
are flashed across a screen above the stage. And before the show
even starts, there’s a film explaining the significance of
certain movements the dancers perform and details about their elaborate
masks.
One of the newer venues to add a zesty, cultural dimension to Thailand’s
nightlife is Siam Niramit
(Tel. 0 2649 9222, www.siamniramit.com). They offer a nightly dinner
show package that uses hi-tech special FX to spotlight highlight
heaven, hell and the enchanted Himapaan Forest, which lies between
them. The other two acts of the show give the audience previews
of some of the country’s most colourful festivals
and take them on a whirlwind tour of its four distinct regions.
|
