In tri-lingual play "Water Time", a Thai woman's New York romance runs into a wall of misunderstandings.

In present-day New York, a stubborn Japanese playwright falls in love with an aspiring Thai actress. Emotions begin to flow, but the lovers run into a language barrier that bruises hearts and egos.

This is the story of "Water Time" by new troupe Life Theatre.

"It deals with cultural differences and time -- the second-by-second flow that never stands still," says Shogo Tanikawa, writer and male lead in this play for two characters.

The idea for the story came from his leading lady Sasithorn Panichnok, actor and director at Theatre 69.

"I wanted a drama in which the characters speak different languages but also have to face the fact that life is really short," says Sasithorn. "We never know what's going to happen tomorrow, or even the next second. The question is whether we're doing the best we can yet."

Language barriers and New York are two things Sasithorn is well acquainted with - she spent time in the Big Apple working as a fashion model.

"Asians living in western countries tend to hide their identities," she recalls. "We speak English to Asian friends and we act like westerners.

"But if we can communicate with our true selves, maybe we can understand each other better, no matter what language we speak. These were the basic ideas I gave to Shogo, and he came up with the characters and dramatic situations."

 So why did Shogo set the  action in New York and make the characters a playwright and an actress?

"Well, I was looking for a city that's not Bangkok or Tokyo and which has a big theatre scene, so I chose New York," he says. "The characters are a playwright and an actress because they have something in common."

The tri-lingual play’s director is Bhanbhassa “Kru Ning” Dhubtien, a theatre professor at Chulalongkorn University who also lived in the Big Apple where she finished her master’s degree in directing from the Actors’ Studio.

“After this play, we plan to continue working in this format, with Shogo being the playwright, Kru Ning the director, and myself the actress,” says Sasithorn.

“Water Time” performs everyday (except Monday) from February 17 to March 1 at Crescent Moon Space in Pridi Banomyong Institute (BTS: Thong Lor). Curtain time is 7:30pm, with additional 2pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. With English, Thai, and Japanese surtitles. Tickets are Bt 300 (Bt 150 for students), bookable by calling 081 849 8234, or emailing LifeTheatreBKK@gmail.com. For more, http://lifetheatre.page.tl, and www.CrescentMoonTheatre.com

 written by Pawit Mahasarinand

published in Daily Xpress on Friday, January 30, 2009

photos courtesy of Life Theatre