Traditional Thai theatre consists of six dramatic forms: khon, formal masked dance-drama depicting scenes from the Ramakian (the Thai version of India's Ramayana) and originally performed only for the royal court; lakhon, a general term covering several types of dance-dramas (usually for nonroyal occasions) as well as western theatre; likhe (likay), a partly improvised, often bawdy folk play featuring dancing, comedy, melodrama and music; manohra, the Southern Thai equivalent of li-khe, but based on a 2000-year-old Indian story; nang or shadow plays, limited to Southern Thailand; and lakhon lek ot hun luang, puppet theatre.
Theatrical events in Bangkok include Thai dance and puppet performances, English and Thai-language dramas, concerts by visiting international artists, musical performances, and infrequently imported mimes and plays. Visitors are advised to consult the English-language newspapers, particularly the weekly or daily calendar of events, to ascertain the times and dates of current performances.
Major theatrical venues include :
Thailand's National Theatre, adjacent to the National Museum at Bangkok's Sanam Luang. The theatre is the venue for concerts and Thai classical dramp a performances. Weekend performances of Thai dance dramas are periodically staged.
The Thailand Cultural Centre on Batchadapisek Road, the Alliance Francaise Auditorium on South Sathorn Road, the AUA Language Centre Auditorium on Ratchadamri Road, the British Council Centre in Siam Square, and the Go the Institute on Soi Attakarnprasit, off South Sathorn Road, also stage theatrical and musical performances.
The Hotel Siam Intercontinental periodically stages British plays, mostly comedies, from London's West End, with accomplished British actors.
The KAD Performing Arts Centre in Chiang Mai, in northern Thailand, includes the lavishlyequipped KAD Theatre with a seating capacity of 1,550 and the KAD Playhouse, with a seating capacity of 500. The KAD Performing Arts Centre is geared towards staging imported fullscale theatrical and musical productions from abroad, performed in the original language, and original Thai dramatic and musical productions.
Traditional Theatre and Dance
• Khun Kaew Khantoke Palace
252/19-23 Phra Pok Klao Rd,
Chiang Mai
Tel. (053) 214315
• Lanna Khantoke
33/10 Charoen Prathet Rd,
Chiang Mai
Tel. (053) 270080
• National Theatre
1 Na Phra That Rd,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 224 1342
• Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai Rd,
Chiang Mai
Tel. (053) 275079
• Rose Garden
Off Hwy 4, 32 km (20 miles)
W of Bangkok
Tel. (02) 295 3261
• Royal Chalerm-krung Theatre
66 Charoen Krung Rd,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 222 0434
• Sala Rim Nam
Oriental Hotel,
48 Oriental
Ave Bangkok
Tel. (02) 236 0400
• Silom Village
286 Silom Rd,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 234 4581
• Tum Nak Thai
131 Ratchadaphisek Rd,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 274 6422
Concerts, Exhibitions and Modern Theatre
• Alliance Francaise,
29 Sathon Tai Rd,Yannawa,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 213 2122
• Bangkok Play-house/Art Corner
2884/2 New Phetchaburi Rd,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 319 7641
• Goether - Institut
18/1 Soi Atthakan Prasit,
Sathon Tai Rd, Bangkok
Tel. (02)287 0942
• Patravadi Theatre
69/1 Soi Wat Rakhang,
Arun Amarin Rd, Thonburi
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 412 7287
• Saeng Arun Arts Centre
5th floor, Plan Bldg, Soi Suksa Witthaya
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 237 0080
• Tadu
pavilion Y Bldg, Royal City
Avenue, between Rama IX
and Ner Petchaburi rds,
Bangkok
Tel. (02) 203 0216
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