Our fair Thai lady

THONG LOR ART Space keeps busy. After co-producing with B-Floor Theatre its revival of “Bang Lamerd” earlier this year, the ongoing production of “The Lady of Siam: The Musical” – “Kunlasatri Si Siam” – is also striking the right chords with the audience and last Saturday’s matinee performance was almost sold out.
Unlike at “Bang Lamerd” though, there are no military personnel video-recording this performance. And in any case, there would be absolutely no need. It’s a comedy, and a very light-hearted one, coming just in time for our Thai New Year celebration.
Set in 1968, a year after Thai beauty queens won the top and runner up prizes at Miss Universe for two consecutive years, the play tells the story of how flower vendor Koeng is trained by linguist professor Thepphayaphong and his friend Phoem to win the Lady of Siam contest. Of course, it’s clear that this is another adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” but thanks to translator Pattareeya Puapongsakorn, adapter Parnrut Kritchanchai and director Setsiri Nirandara who further adapted it, there’s nothing in the least British about the production.
However, the surfeit of translators and adapters could explain why the musical veered occasionally off track. This was most evident right after the intermission when the Lady of Siam contest was staged, and the interview questions were picked from the audience’s list. They were packed with so many jokes that my jaw ached from laughing but this scene felt like the play’s climax while in fact there was about another hour to go. And as Thepphayaphong, though still present, was cut off from the main action, it was difficult to bring him back in subsequent scenes to remind the audience that there was still a story being presented here.
The star of the show was professional singer Namfon Pakdee whose physical and vocal portrayal of Koeng was faultless and whose character’s transition was also credible. Unfortunately, she picked an acting style that was too exaggerated for this studio theatre and didn’t quite blend in with the rest of the cast.
Gandhi Wasuvitchayagit, fresh back from his solo play at “Offene Welt” festival in Germany, portrayed the sophisticated and intellectual Thepphayaphong and while his efforts were praiseworthy, the audience could still see the effort, not the art or magic that transformed him into the character.
And with the two leads not quite in perfect harmony, Suphasawatt Puranaveja’s Phoem subtly stole the limelight with his realistic acting that both fit the space and the play.
Another newcomer to watch was Thiyada Sirajara as Yad, a hi-so girl who also entered the pageant – her mother was a member of the jury – and who proved more than able to rub shoulders with comedic genius Parnrat, who portrays her mother.
Kengchakaj Kengkarnka’s music was delightful, and all performers delivered the songs well, though there were so few musical numbers that calling the play a musical was something of a misnomer.
But again, it’s April, the year’s hottest month and a time when there will be fewer stage productions, so let’s just have fun and wait for meatier plays in the coming months.
 KEEP ON
LAUGHING
 n “The Lady of Siam: The Musical” continues from tomorrow to April 9 at Thong Lor Art Space, a 3-minute walk from BTS Thong Lor.
Shows are at 8pm with a 3pm matinee on Saturday. It’s in Thai with English translation projected on the side wall.
n Tickets are Bt690 (Bt640 in advance, Bt590 for students in advance).
n Call (095) 542 4555 or check www.Facebook.com/|Thonglorartspace.