Follies And A Farce

[Maestro]

Follies and a farce

By Kitchana Lersakvanitchakul

THE NATION

Published on June 16, 2010

After a long wait, the curtain finally rises on the Thai adaptation of 'La Cage aux Folles'

Scenario's latest musical comedy "Kinaree See Rung" finally opens tonight at Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre, on the fourth floor of Esplanade Shopping Complex on Ratchadaphisek Road, much to the relief of the producers and cast following four postponements as a result of the recent political unrest.

The musical is adapted from French author Jean Poiret's 1973 play "La Cage aux Folles", which focuses on a gay couple and the farce that follows the announcement of an engagement in the family. Singer and actor Songsit "Kob" Rungnophakhunsri plays the role of George, the nightclub manager in Phuket while singer Ruangsak "James" Loychusak plays his lover and the club's star attraction, Issie - Albin/Zaza in the original version.

"I play a 50-year show girl in a cabaret show who's 'married' to a gay [George] and who has helped him bring up his biological son Ton [Narin 'A' Puwanacharoen], born in a brief dalliance many years ago.

"Ton wants to marry Ann [sucharat 'Om' Manaying] whose parents dislike katoey. One day, they decide they want to meet their daughter's future-in-laws at their home. So, everything needs to be quickly transformed into a 'normal' world," says James who tends to avoid the bright lights these days in favour of his more sedate job as managing director of MIFA, the international academy of music.

So why was he so determined to play a showgirl, especially a middle-aged one? Isn't he worried that portraying such a character might dent his MD image or even stoke rumours that he's gay?

"Phi Boy [director Thakolkiet Weerawan] told me that he was impressed with my singing when I made my debut in the musical 'Man of La Mancha'. Personally, I love musicals and believe that playing a challenging role is a great way of developing skills. And the most difficult performance for a man is to portray a woman.

"I don't see why people would think any less of me. If I played a killer, would they assume that I would then go out and kill people in real life? Others have asked whether this role will have an effect on my managing director image. I doubt it but I really don't care," he recalls.

James spent one month studying gay mannerisms before taking on the character.

"First, it's important not to notice every woman who goes by. I spent a month attempting to show affection towards men. Remember, Issie doesn't just love his partner but also the son he helped raise. I had to discover those emotions. I also needed to watch how women sat and walked so I could imitate their moves," he explains.

Did he find he was carrying those gestures over into his private life?

"A little, yes. Fortunately, I studied acting with Mom Noi [ML Bhandevanop Devakul], who told me that a good performer must never get obsessed with any role. He also said it was bad not to be able to separate acting from real life. It's just a performance," he says.

Given the popularity of the original musical, is he worried about not being up to the part?

"I watched some scenes of the original musical on the Internet. I don't worry my abilities but I am very proud to be playing Issie. In fact, I'm very lucky to have landed the parts of two legendary characters from two Broadway classics. Last time, I played Don Quixote and sang 'The Impossible Dream'. The time, I get to sing 'I Am What I Am'," says James with a happy smile.

"La Cage aux Folles" received nine nominations for the Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs. The 2004 Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival, the 2008 London revival garnered the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival and the 2010 Broadway revival was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won three, including Best Revival. What will the audience get from this musical?

"First of all, it is a comedy so it will help relieve some of the stress that Bangkok people still feel. Secondly, it holds a hidden message about the need to respect all of humanity including gays. The last is the magnificent cabaret show and the impressive costumes and backdrops. That is why the musical has been successful for 30 years," he says.

How does he feel about male actors being given the role of women or katoey in today's TV series, stage plays and musicals?

"Why not if it reflects what really goes in society? The character has fun and it catches people's attention," concludes James.

ALL THAT GLITTERS

- "Kinaree See Rung" is perform daily until June 27 at 7.30 with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2.

- Tickets cost Bt500 to Bt2,800 at ThaiTicketMajor.

-- The Nation 2010-06-16

[Kilgore Trout]

Glad to see some actual culture in Bkk, even if it has to be done in the guise of a ladyboy show on Ratchada. Typical Thailand, I guess. I would maybe go see it though. Hopefuly it would be a bit more high-brow that your typical ladyboy show.

[lazygourmet]

Unfortunately the Thai version is based on the Broadway adaptation... which lacks a lot of "La Cage aux Folles" original tricks and jokes.