Hua Hin: A New Arts Hub

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EDITOR'S PICK

A new arts hub: Hua Hin

By PAWIT MAHASARINAND

SPECIAL TO THE NATION

Published on January 15, 2010

The Fringe Festival, starting next Friday, finds a new home on the seashore

Despite some changes in its brief yet significant history lasting more than a decade, Fringe Festival, organised by Patravadi Theatre, remains one of those rare well-curated multidisciplinary contemporary arts festivals in this country. This year, it has found a new, and probably permanent, home at a new arts centre Vic Hua Hin, in one of Thailand's favourite weekend getaways.

"I think going to a watch a play, one needs to have time, and shouldn't have to rush. There's no traffic here and the theatre is only five minutes from downtown Hua Hin and we also have plenty parking spaces," says Thai dance and theatre doyenne Patravadi Mejudhon, who now spends more time in Hua Hin than Bangkok. "For the audience, I think it's better than battling Bangkok's notorious rush-hour traffic and cross the river to Soi Wat Rakhang. And, of course, many Thais visit Hua Hin very often anyway, plus there's a big community of expats here."

Patravadi then takes us through the new arts centre: "Our main theatre is roofed and air-conditioned playhouse, although the side walls have some opening parts. When the show is on, people who may be dining outside can hear what's going on and hopefully one day they'll come in. The nickname is 'ronglakhon mi ru' [playhouse with holes], seating about 320 people, and we also have two side balconies that can fit another 80 people.

"There are other sections for performing-arts workshops, film screenings and visual-arts exhibitions, plus uniquely designed accommodations. You'll be surprised how much space we have here."

Patravadi speaks of how she selects the performances for this year's festival: "I'm lucky to have many students, friends, as well as international cultural agencies who introduce me to many artists and recommend, and support, some productions. Actually, the foreign support is so much that I wish it's the same from their Thai counterparts."

In addition to dance, music and theatre performances, there's a lot to do before and after the show.

There's a mini-market that similar to what happens every last weekend of the month in Chet Samien, the market village in Ratchaburi where Patravadhi has an arts project. "But more stylish, perhaps," she says. There's food from local shops, ranging from khao khaichiao [rice topped with Thai-style omelette] and kuaitiao kai [chicken noodles] to seafood.

The Patravadi Secondary School Hua Hin will open at the centre in May, offering classes from mathayom 1 to 6 [grades 7 to 12] in both regular subjects and performing arts.

"Part of the reason why we move here is because of the school," she says. "Students will have a chance to work backstage and also join workshops and master classes with professional artists, both local and international."

Even after the Fringe Festival, there remain reasons to revisit this unique arts centre.

"Every first Saturday of the month we'll have a major production here, throughout the year. On other weekends, there'll be a variety of dance, theatre and music performances and workshops."

And what about the Patravadi Theatre in Soi Wat Rakang in Thon Buri?

"It will now be more available for rental, while major productions will be created and staged here at Vic Hua Hin."

A line-up that's worth the two-hour drive

HRH Princess Srirasmi will graciously preside over next Friday's opening of the Vic Hua Hin and Fringe Festival 2010. On the programme are a one-evening-only performance of "The Tale of Vic Hua Hin" by artistic director Patravadi Mejudhon herself, plus "Carnival of the Animals", a concert for the family conceived by the world-famous Thai conductor Bundit Ungrangsee.

Patravadi says, "We've just been informed that apart from Bundit and his wife Mary, the chamber orchestra will also include Vie Trio and veteran pianists Artas Balakauskas and Indhuon Srikaranonda-Balakauskas. I almost fainted when I found out about this list of musicians. It'll be a perfect curtain raiser."

The following weekend, January 29 to 31, the highlight is the return of "Phra Lor", written and directed by and co-starring Patravadi, one of Thailand's best intercultural-theatre productions in my recent memory. When it premiered last June, I wrote in Daily Xpress, "There is no dull moment in the two-act, two-hour 'Phra Lor', thanks to sheer creativity and artistry of contemporary Thai artists from many backgrounds, and their willingness to explore possibilities of how to entertain, engage, and inspire today's audiences."

In the first weekend of February, the 2006 Silpathorn Award-winning artist will adapt his dance dialogue "Pichet Klunchun and Myself" as a solo performance called "Pichet Klunchun". In other words, without his French collaborator Jerome Bel, it will turn out to be his dialogue with the audience. He tried this last August at the Tanzconnexions conference in Jakarta and was met with much acclaim and applause.

Patravadi adds, "We've been trying to feature him in our festival for the past few years, and, luckily enough, this year our schedule fits his."

The same weekend, Israeli artist Yael Rasuli will present two object- and puppet-theatre works on Saturday night, and share the stage, and some laughs, with Thai queer performance artist Wannasak "Kuck" Sirilar on Sunday afternoon.

"The Israeli puppets are very lovely, and we put them in the same programme as Kuck, since Kuck will also use puppets in his comic storytelling."

On the following weekend, American contemporary-dance company ODC, led by choreographer Brenda Way, will showcase three short works and conduct workshops for kids and adults. The audience will also be thrilled by the traditional glove puppets of Taiwan's Taiyuan Puppet Theatre Company.

On the festival's closing weekend, February 19 and 20, Thai percussionist Tik Shiro and American violinist Kyle Dillingham will collaborate. Patravadi gives us a preview: "This is like a battle between Thai and American country music. They met last year when we performed 'Phra Lor' at a private event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and they hit it off right away, and thus this new work. Knowing both of them, it'll be very hilarious. Plus, they'll explore the similarities and differences between the country styles of two countries, so the programme's also partly educational."

Since the Fringe Festival tickets went on sale earlier this month, the response has been impressive. Patravadi says, "We've had many calls from expats around here, and we also get much support from hotels in Hua Hin who will provide accommodation for our artists and will arrange transportation to and from Vic Hua Hin. Plus, Fringe Festival ticket holders will get discounts for accommodation at some hotels."

FRINGE BENEFITS

- The Fringe Festival runs from January 22 to February 20, on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the Vic Hua Hin on Petchakasem Road, about five minutes by car south of the Hua Hin Market.

- Admission ranges from free to Bt1,000 (50 per cent discounts for students). Tickets are at www.TotalReservation.com. Call (02) 833 5555.

-- The Nation 2010-01-15

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[d0ndela]

Is this down by that new film school building site?

[hhfarang]

Is this down by that new film school building site?

Yes, according to the name in the article, "new arts centre Vic Hua Hin", that should be the place. It is between Sois 114 and 116 on Phetkasem road headed south out of Hua Hin towards Pranburi for those who haven't noticed the place.

[cheshiremusicman]

Is this down by that new film school building site?

Yes, according to the name in the article, "new arts centre Vic Hua Hin", that should be the place. It is between Sois 114 and 116 on Phetkasem road headed south out of Hua Hin towards Pranburi for those who haven't noticed the place.

The 'Vic Hua-Hin' is clearly signed, and is on the right hand side of the road shortly after you leave the flyover going south from Hua-Hin.

Seems like a very valuable addition to the area. We look forward to going to some of the productions.