18 Monkeys at Patravadi Theatre

Jitti Chompee’s contemporary dance theatre “18 Monkeys”
– A Passionate Interpretation of the Monkey Characters in Ramakien

After his daring attempts in “Carmen”, where he presented bold choreography in the context of southern Thailand; and “Sudsakorn”, in which he combined likay with contemporary music and dance, choreographer/director Jitti Chompee will create a refreshing contemporary dance theatre production “18 Monkeys”, which will be presented at Patravadi Theatre on 11th and 12th December 2010.
“18 Monkeys” depicts the relationship between Monkey Kasorntamala and Demon Mungornkan. As Rama’s soldier, Kasorntamala has to be loyal to his duty even though it means him fighting with Mungornkan, with whom he has taken an oath to be best friends for life. At the same time, as a friend, he cannot betray Mungornkan. This dilemma leads to Kasorntamala’s great sacrifice in conducting the battle by Rama’s side, but in the end throwing himself into Rama’s arrow to receive the deadly blow together with Mungornkan. In “18 Monkeys”, Jitti will provide the audience a new reading into Kasonrtamala’s dilemma between duty and friendship.

“18 Monkeys” features an array of professional performers. Khon artists Suwan Klinampon from Sala Chalermkrun Theatre and Anucha Sumaman from National Theatre will respectively perform the roles of Monkey Kasorntamala Demon Mungornkan. Together with a cast of outstanding dancers, theatre and musical performers, they will recreate their skills to recount the story of Monkey Kasorntamala and Demon Mungornkan in the epic Ramakien through dance, songs and music.

Though “18 Monkeys”, Jitti aims at examining the lengthy tradition of khon and the story of Ramakien. By integrating the traditional theatre form and the Ramakien into contemporary dance theatre, he wishes to create a relevance of the classical art form into contemporary society.

“18 Monkeys” will be presented at Patravadi Theatre on 11th and 12th December 2010. Tickets of 1000, 800 and 600 Baht are sold at TotalReservation.com and its outlets. Ticketing hotline 028335555

A special performance paying tribute to ballet maestro Mr. Willaim Morgan’s lifetime achievement will be staged on 8th December. Please contact 0818143304 for details.

Director and Choreographer: Jitti Chompee
Set & Installation: Panpan Narkprasert
Costume Designer: Anurak Thangsomboon
Still Photographer: Kittiwat Sitti

Performers
1. Suwan Klinampon (performer with Sala Chalermkrung Theatre) as Monkey Kasorntamala
2. Anucha Sumaman (performer with National Theatre) as Demon Mungornkan
3. Yuko Nakamura
4. Amata Piyavanich
5. Lerwith Sangsith
6. Klittin Kiatmatha
7. Meuanphun Ampansang

Created by: Patravadi Theatre