New Bangkok Home for "Must See" Traditional Puppet Theatre

[Guest fountainhall]

One of Bangkok

[TotallyOz]

Thank you for this. I have never seen it and now have it on my to do list.

[Guest fountainhall]

Take some Thai guys with you - they'll love it, even though they may not have heard of it before.

[Guest hayase]

It is a great news! I have seen their performance at Joe Louis theatre in the Suan Lum Night Bazaar and was so much impressed, and also visited their Pattaya restaurant theatre but it was a little disappointing because of its too much tourist oriented production.

 

BTW I found there is a puppet theatre at Kings Power Complex near Victory Monument. http://www.thaiticketmajor.com/performance/hoon_lakorn_lek_eng.php

I don

[Guest hayase]

On my last trip to Bangkok, I went to Aksra Theatre at Kings Power Complex to see Thai classical puppet performance. Their show was a collection of short scenes from Ramakien and was skillfully produced and directed.

 

The theatre was new and large with comfortable seats, and stage set, lighting, and sound were very impressive. Duration was slightly over an hour and ticket was B400. Highly recommended.

 

http://www.aksratheatre.com/2009/index.html

[Rogie]

Thank you Fountainhall and Hayase for your most informative posts. I didn't see this topic when originally posted last month.

 

On the website kindly referred to by Hayase, although the various pages you can access are listed in the left hand margin of the home page in English, unfortunately the text is in Thai.

 

I was fascinated by the clip posted by Fountainhall. Would I be right in thinking that as the performance progresses you become less aware of the 'men in black' and able to focus on the puppets? I would like to think that is so because in a short clip they seem to 'get in the way' somewhat.

[Guest fountainhall]

Would I be right in thinking that as the performance progresses you become less aware of the 'men in black' and able to focus on the puppets? I would like to think that is so because in a short clip they seem to 'get in the way' somewhat.

You can never totally block out the puppeteers (especially if they are as cute as some in the Joe Louis troupe ); but, yes, as a performance progresses you focus far more on the puppets themselves which seem to become very real.

[Guest Patexpat]

Well I've lived and worked in Pattaya for years - and I didn't even know they were here!

[Guest thaiworthy]

In the 1960s, my father was Promotions Director for May Co., which owned and managed shopping centers in the St. Louis, Mo (USA) area. He had hired a puppet troupe to perform at Christmas time and it was then that I fell in love with marionettes and rod puppets. I had grown out of that fascination since then, so thank you Fountainhall for bringing this item to my attention.

 

I know this link is not a reference to Thailand per se, but it proves what puppeteering worldwide is all about. I did not understand the Thai that was spoken in the above clip, but I can surmise that it may be based on Thai folklore. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. Here in the US, this the case, since many puppet shows are fashioned for children and also drawn from European fairy tales and fables.

 

Here is a link to my favorite American puppeteers, Bob Kramer Marionettes which fostered this childhood spirit and who were modeled after the famous Bill Baird troupe.

 

American Puppeteers

 

Another American who pioneered the black art dress principle (arena-style) in puppetry in the US, was Frank Paris, who was brought to fame with his performance of Carmen Miranda at Radio City Musical Hall and Madison Square Garden in NY during the 1940s. Contrary to popular belief, Frank was also responsible for the creation of the local NY (1947) version of "Howdy Doody" before it went national. Gay, and a good friend of mine for many years, Frank died in 1984 at the age of 70. Here is a youtube video I think you will enjoy: (Every time I watch this, it brings tears to my eyes.)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ0u6sfuO-Y

 

I will be in Bangkok again in December, when this venue will receive my full attention. Again, thank you Fountainhall for reviving these childhood memories.