Dance and Theatre

Previews, Interviews, and Reviews (yes, and Photos) of Dance and Theatre in Thailand (well, and elsewhere) written by "The Nation" dance and theatre critics
Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre

Friday , July 31 , 2009

Remembering PINA BAUSCH

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 593 , 22:20:06 | Category : Dance 2009

Thailand didn’t miss out on the influence of the German innovator behind Tanztheater. While the world was—and probably still is—in shock at Michael Jackson’s unexpected death and lamenting the passing away of “Charlie’s Angels” star Farrah Fawcett; in a quiet corner of Germany far from the press frenzy, the leading light of modern dance ceased to shine. At age 68, German choreographer and dancer Pina....

Thailand didn’t miss out on the influence of the German innovator behind Tanztheater. While the world was—and probably still is—in shock at Michael Jackson’s unexpected death and lamenting the passing away of “Charlie’s Angels” star Farrah Fawcett; in a quiet corner of Germany far from the press frenzy, the leading light of modern dance ceased to shine. At age 68, German choreographer and dancer Pina....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/31/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Tuesday , July 28 , 2009

An Amazing MAMMA

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 569 , 06:45:12 | Category : Theatre 2009

MAMMA MIA! star Jackie Clune really is a mamma—with triplets! We know the music will be delightful - it's Abba's. The story will be both hilarious and touching - some of us have seen the movie based on this hit musical. But before we see it live here, we want to know more about the lead actress in MAMMA MIA!Jackie Clune is the 43-year-old British actress who shot to stardom with solo cabaret and come....

MAMMA MIA! star Jackie Clune really is a mamma—with triplets! We know the music will be delightful - it's Abba's. The story will be both hilarious and touching - some of us have seen the movie based on this hit musical. But before we see it live here, we want to know more about the lead actress in MAMMA MIA!Jackie Clune is the 43-year-old British actress who shot to stardom with solo cabaret and come....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/28/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (3)

Monday , July 27 , 2009

SUICIDE buddy

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 535 , 08:04:24 | Category : Theatre 2009

A new play examines the friendship that develops between two women wanting to end it all. Actress, playwright, director, producer and co-founder of the physical theatre troupe B-Floor Jarunun “Jaa” Phantachat is taking a short leave from the group, leaving movements to work on a spoken play “Suicide Buddy”. It tells the tale of two women, Vijan and Jane, both of them contemplating suicide and who mee....

A new play examines the friendship that develops between two women wanting to end it all. Actress, playwright, director, producer and co-founder of the physical theatre troupe B-Floor Jarunun “Jaa” Phantachat is taking a short leave from the group, leaving movements to work on a spoken play “Suicide Buddy”. It tells the tale of two women, Vijan and Jane, both of them contemplating suicide and who mee....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/27/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Friday , July 24 , 2009

Bangkoks 11th International Festival of Dance and Music

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 679 , 23:50:29 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009 Bangkok Festivals 2009

With a slight nod to the cash crisis, this autumn's Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music refuses to compromise on class. Let's admit it: The programme for this year's Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music is not so diverse or cutting-edge as that of its Singapore and Hong Kong counterparts. But with 16 productions of grand operas, classical and modern ballet in addition to tr....

With a slight nod to the cash crisis, this autumn's Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music refuses to compromise on class. Let's admit it: The programme for this year's Bangkok International Festival of Dance and Music is not so diverse or cutting-edge as that of its Singapore and Hong Kong counterparts. But with 16 productions of grand operas, classical and modern ballet in addition to tr....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/24/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Thursday , July 23 , 2009

ELEPHANT rampage

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 545 , 10:06:54 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009

'Knesh', Pichet Klunchun's new solo dance, could be his most daring--aesthetically and politically. Back from two-week workshops and performances in Mexico, and free from flu, and before his company’s work “The Battle of the Sun”, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun admits that he struggled mightily with an elephant before deciding his new solo work "Knesh" wa....

'Knesh', Pichet Klunchun's new solo dance, could be his most daring--aesthetically and politically. Back from two-week workshops and performances in Mexico, and free from flu, and before his company’s work “The Battle of the Sun”, internationally acclaimed dancer and choreographer Pichet Klunchun admits that he struggled mightily with an elephant before deciding his new solo work "Knesh" wa....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/23/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Tuesday , July 21 , 2009

Bt 12 BILLIONS for better world rankings?

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 532 , 00:00:15 | Category : Miscellaneous

When you live a country where the 15-day closure of tutorial schools makes front-page news, you realise that something's very wrong. No, it's not the swine-flu pandemic and our reaction to it that makes this wrong, it's the fact that tutorial schools have become so important in our country's education system. It's been known for many years now that most Thai students and their parents believe that th....

When you live a country where the 15-day closure of tutorial schools makes front-page news, you realise that something's very wrong. No, it's not the swine-flu pandemic and our reaction to it that makes this wrong, it's the fact that tutorial schools have become so important in our country's education system. It's been known for many years now that most Thai students and their parents believe that th....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/21/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Saturday , July 18 , 2009

We're all on the RUN

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 560 , 22:20:52 | Category : Theatre 2009

A new troupe debuts with an experimental theatre focusing on a gay relationship."Run" is the debut production of a theatre troupe called numen.n.co, formed by Krisana "Num" Punpeng, a seasoned actor, lecturer at Dhurakij Pundit University and a PhD candidate in performance practice at the University of Exeter. "Run" features 13 scenes of various length utilising differen....

A new troupe debuts with an experimental theatre focusing on a gay relationship."Run" is the debut production of a theatre troupe called numen.n.co, formed by Krisana "Num" Punpeng, a seasoned actor, lecturer at Dhurakij Pundit University and a PhD candidate in performance practice at the University of Exeter. "Run" features 13 scenes of various length utilising differen....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/18/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Wednesday , July 15 , 2009

LA FÊTE 2009…on a roll

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 1468 , 00:50:22 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009 Bangkok Festivals 2009

The country’s biggest arts festival rumbles on into July after collecting big crowds for daring dance and classical music treats.On the surface, La Fête looks like a contemporary arts festival, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a bulging programme that has something for everyone. Two recent stage performances prove the point. Thinking inside the box On Tuesday, June 23, a few minutes after t....

The country’s biggest arts festival rumbles on into July after collecting big crowds for daring dance and classical music treats.On the surface, La Fête looks like a contemporary arts festival, but dig a bit deeper and you’ll find a bulging programme that has something for everyone. Two recent stage performances prove the point. Thinking inside the box On Tuesday, June 23, a few minutes after t....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/15/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Monday , July 13 , 2009

MAE NAK war has been won by SCRIPT and ACTING

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 1509 , 10:52:06 | Category : Theatre 2009

We’ve had three theatre versions of the evergreen story of the ghost Mae Nak in two months–in chronological order of the premiere, Scenario’s “Mae Nak Phra Khanong the Musical”, New Theatre Society’s “Nang Nak the Museum” and Dreambox’s “Mae Nak the Musical”. And despite the first one drawing the most people thanks to a much larger venue and aggressive advertising, it was, for those audiences who hav....

We’ve had three theatre versions of the evergreen story of the ghost Mae Nak in two months–in chronological order of the premiere, Scenario’s “Mae Nak Phra Khanong the Musical”, New Theatre Society’s “Nang Nak the Museum” and Dreambox’s “Mae Nak the Musical”. And despite the first one drawing the most people thanks to a much larger venue and aggressive advertising, it was, for those audiences who hav....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/13/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Saturday , July 11 , 2009

FRESH cues for the CLASSICS

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 601 , 00:19:08 | Category : Theatre 2009 Singapore Arts Festival 2009

At Singapore Arts Festival, Tadashi Suzuki’s “Electra” electrifies, but Lin Zhaohua’s “The Cherry Orchard” isn’t so ripe. In this day and age of artistic innovation, in which countless new works and genres are constantly created, many theatre artists are still revisiting classic plays and reinterpreting them. Lucky us.Earlier this month I intentionally planned my trip to Shanghai so that it included ....

At Singapore Arts Festival, Tadashi Suzuki’s “Electra” electrifies, but Lin Zhaohua’s “The Cherry Orchard” isn’t so ripe. In this day and age of artistic innovation, in which countless new works and genres are constantly created, many theatre artists are still revisiting classic plays and reinterpreting them. Lucky us.Earlier this month I intentionally planned my trip to Shanghai so that it included ....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/11/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Friday , July 10 , 2009

For LAUGHS, not BLOOD

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 605 , 18:48:36 | Category : Theatre 2009

Two veteran thespians pair up for a new comedy about vampires. Wannasak "Kuck" Sirilar and Sumontha "Jum" Suanpholrat make an odd stage couple. The former is known for his queer and comedic performances, as in last month's "Nang Nak the Museum". The latter is renowned for her dramatic roles, most recently in Theatre 28's "Man of La Mancha", New Theatre Society’....

Two veteran thespians pair up for a new comedy about vampires. Wannasak "Kuck" Sirilar and Sumontha "Jum" Suanpholrat make an odd stage couple. The former is known for his queer and comedic performances, as in last month's "Nang Nak the Museum". The latter is renowned for her dramatic roles, most recently in Theatre 28's "Man of La Mancha", New Theatre Society’....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/10/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Thursday , July 9 , 2009

BUSTIN’ Moves

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 570 , 09:34:28 | Category : Dance 2009 Singapore Arts Festival 2009

Hip-hop comes off the street and into the theatre. Known as a multi-disciplinary and multi-venue performing arts festival who loves taking risks, both with artists and audiences, Singapore Arts Festival 2009 trod new territory with the street dance of Grupo de Rua. Unknown in this region but with a big reputation in Europe, the young men from Rio de Janeiro arrived to stage the Asian premiere of “H3”....

Hip-hop comes off the street and into the theatre. Known as a multi-disciplinary and multi-venue performing arts festival who loves taking risks, both with artists and audiences, Singapore Arts Festival 2009 trod new territory with the street dance of Grupo de Rua. Unknown in this region but with a big reputation in Europe, the young men from Rio de Janeiro arrived to stage the Asian premiere of “H3”....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/09/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Wednesday , July 8 , 2009

GAMERS get their own symphony with DISTANT WORLDS

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 899 , 01:23:55 | Category : Miscellaneous Singapore Arts Festival 2009

Singapore Arts Festival (SAF) lets an orchestra loose on the video game “Final Fantasy”. After scoring a hit with the symphony concert “Play!” in which music scores from popular video games were performed by the Singapore Festival Orchestra (SFO) two years ago, SAF rebooted with “Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy”, with Grammy Award winner Arnie Roth returning to hold the baton. Two performanc....

Singapore Arts Festival (SAF) lets an orchestra loose on the video game “Final Fantasy”. After scoring a hit with the symphony concert “Play!” in which music scores from popular video games were performed by the Singapore Festival Orchestra (SFO) two years ago, SAF rebooted with “Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy”, with Grammy Award winner Arnie Roth returning to hold the baton. Two performanc....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/08/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Tuesday , July 7 , 2009

Masters of INNOVATION

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 580 , 00:42:33 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009 Hong Kong Arts Festival 2009

Alone, in pairs, and in groups, Pichet Klunchun and Akram Khan enlighten the stage with their dance.Pichet Klunchun and Akram Khan’s collaborations in dance dialogues and dance theatre—whether solo, duet, or company works—remain engaging because of the way they mingle cultures.Last year “Pichet Klunchun and Myself”, a demystification of khon with French performance artist Jerome Bel, was honored with....

Alone, in pairs, and in groups, Pichet Klunchun and Akram Khan enlighten the stage with their dance.Pichet Klunchun and Akram Khan’s collaborations in dance dialogues and dance theatre—whether solo, duet, or company works—remain engaging because of the way they mingle cultures.Last year “Pichet Klunchun and Myself”, a demystification of khon with French performance artist Jerome Bel, was honored with....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/07/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Monday , July 6 , 2009

INTIMACY and EMOTION amid the RAZZMATAZZ

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 555 , 01:17:23 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009

Thanks to the muscle of their marketing budget, we got endless reports on what has been happening inside Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre—Myria “Nat” Benedetti flying to and fro over the stage, for example. Away from the hype, however, were two small-scale productions, both with English surtitle translations, taking place at intimate performance spaces. They may not be flawless but, for more laid-back t....

Thanks to the muscle of their marketing budget, we got endless reports on what has been happening inside Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre—Myria “Nat” Benedetti flying to and fro over the stage, for example. Away from the hype, however, were two small-scale productions, both with English surtitle translations, taking place at intimate performance spaces. They may not be flawless but, for more laid-back t....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/06/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Sunday , July 5 , 2009

NANTA boiling

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 582 , 21:57:31 | Category : Dance 2009 Theatre 2009

It's time to book tickets to one of Seoul's 10 most famous tourist attractions—no flight reservation necessary.We've seen "Jump" and "Break out!" and now we are soon to see what paved the way for this vibrant trend of non-verbal performance. "Nanta", the fine blend of traditional Korean drumming, cooking, comedy, plus western style of staging and audience participation, ....

It's time to book tickets to one of Seoul's 10 most famous tourist attractions—no flight reservation necessary.We've seen "Jump" and "Break out!" and now we are soon to see what paved the way for this vibrant trend of non-verbal performance. "Nanta", the fine blend of traditional Korean drumming, cooking, comedy, plus western style of staging and audience participation, ....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/05/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

Saturday , July 4 , 2009

Love GLIDEs Back

Posted by dance_and_theatre , Reader : 431 , 17:16:31 | Category : Theatre 2009

In the month when the battle of “Mae Nak” reaches its boiling point, it’s important to note there are other plays that have nothing to do with “Mae Nak”. Thanks to a young playwright-director, a long time member of Naked Masks Theatre Group, we have an original Thai play “Ron” (“Glide”). Jaturachai Srichanwanpen says, “I took as my inspiration the end of my first play 'Plew' [staged four years ago] i....

In the month when the battle of “Mae Nak” reaches its boiling point, it’s important to note there are other plays that have nothing to do with “Mae Nak”. Thanks to a young playwright-director, a long time member of Naked Masks Theatre Group, we have an original Thai play “Ron” (“Glide”). Jaturachai Srichanwanpen says, “I took as my inspiration the end of my first play 'Plew' [staged four years ago] i....

Permalink : http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/danceandtheatre/2009/07/04/entry-1

Post comment | Read Comment (0)

<<	July 2009					>>
s	m	t	w	t	f	s
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31