DEMONS meet MERLION

For shoppers in Singapore, the big event last weekend was the opening of Ion, yet another high-end shopping centre on Orchard Road.  But for performing arts fans, it’s the ions of movement at da:ns Festival 2009 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay.

The highlight was the world premiere of Dunas, a collaboration of Maria Pages and Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, which met all expectations.

Sharing the spotlight was the Pichet Klunchun Dance Company and its performances of scenes from Ramakien, and a blessing dance, at the Outdoor Theatre as part of “Rasas: Traditional Dances from Asia”.

The company’s 10 dancers, five musicians, three singers, three crew members and one artistic director were invited by the host--all expenses paid--to stage seven 30-minute performances, each with different episodes, from Friday to Sunday. There was an additional four demonstration sessions indoors at the Concourse on Monday and Tuesday, in which Pichet explained the basic components of Thai masked dance.

The company’s high spirits and the response to the director’s choreographic visions proved that khon can be staged successfully with limited number of artists. It doesn’t have to be a massive spectacle that lasts four or more hours. It’s the details of the movements that are the focus.

The performances also showed how the centuries-old classical art can be entertaining, exciting, funny and romantic, apart from being picturesque. Scene synopses were voiced by an emcee and English translation of the main action and major lines was projected on side screens. This helped keep the audience in their seats.

In addition, the company had an extra busy Saturday, when Pichet and company members Noppadon Bundit (who performed the demon king Totsakan) and Wongkot Wutthidej (the monkey warrior Hanuman) were invited to the School of the Arts (SOTA) to conduct two three-hour workshops for ballet students.

“They’re very disciplined and hardworking students,” says Pichet.

“It’s good to know that their teachers allocate one day of classes every week for them to study another discipline of dance, besides their three days of classical ballet training. Unfortunately, this kind of mentality doesn’t exist in Thai arts education yet.”

After performing with Jerome Bel and a smaller number of his company members in About Khon at the same festival two years ago, Pichet has been in continuous contact with the da:ns festival organisers. Pichet reveals that there is a possibility that his company’s full-scale khon performance with newly designed sets and costumes would be staged as a world premiere there next October.

da:ns festival 2009 continues until Sunday, November 1 at the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. A highlight this weekend is Re- (Part I, II, II) by Shen Wei, who choreographed the opening of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. There are many free events, but for ticketed ones, book at www.sistic.com.sg. On the Internet: www.dansfestival.com, and www.pklifework.com