Malai Mongkhon: A Case of Postmodern Thai Theatre

Authors

Kittisak Kerdarunsuksri

Publication Date

2002-01-01

Abstract

Modern stage drama was introduced into Thai theatre during the mid-1960s within the university circle and later spread to the commercial level. To make their productions more attractive and accessible to popular audiences, some theatre practitioners sought to experiment with adopting indigenous sources, either traditional stories or theatrical elements, which have been found in modern Thai theatre from time to time since the early 1970s. During the 1990s, several productions made use of traditional stories and elements to a greater degree due to many factors, such as the promotion of Thainess, the trend in Southeast Asian theatre. Most of these productions can thus be considered as postmodern Thai theatre since revisiting the past, disrupting the distinction of high and low art forms, and juxtaposing unmatched elements are clearly discernible. Makhampo'm's Malai Momgkhon, adapted from the myth of Phra Malai, was one of the works based on traditional Thai literature produced in this period. Not only was the myth used, but this production also made use of traditional theatrical elements, both court and folk, in juxtaposition with modern teachniques. This production can be regared as a representative or postmodern Thai theatre in the 1990s.

First Page

50

Last Page

66

Recommended Citation

Kerdarunsuksri, Kittisak (2002) "Malai Mongkhon: A Case of Postmodern Thai Theatre," Manusya, Journal of Humanities: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 4.
Available at: https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/manusya/vol5/iss1/4