The thrills and chills may not be abundant, but stellar performance brings much suspense and meaning to a ghost play

Halloween weekend is coming, and Dreambox’s revival of the Thai translation of British horror play “The Woman in Black” is packed with plenty of tricks and treats.
One of the longestrunning plays in the history of London’s West End, it’s an exercise in imagination, quite unlike Hollywood movies and TV soaps that feed us everything on a platter.
Since “The Woman in Black” made its Bangkok debut a few months ago, the audience has had a special treat, seeing two of the country’s best stage actors, Panudej Wattanasuchart and Dangkamon Napombejra.
The former shows his range portraying successful lawyer Krip at two different ages, 30 years apart.
The latter’s spoton performance as an actor hired by Krip in a bid to exorcise a demon memory is fluid – he slips in and out of characters and recreates Krip’s experience using a limited number of props.
Apart from the naturally conversational Thai dialogue in her translation, Dreambox’s resident playwright Daraka Wongsiri deftly adapts the play’s context so the audience can fully empathise, while still respecting the original playwright’s artistic vision.
Director Suwandee Jakravoravudh sets the pace leisurely, and the details are gradually revealed. Yet there’s plenty left for our imaginations – including some of the scariest components. It’s further proof that this veteran can stage both comedies and dramas efficiently.
Despite all this, the venue is a letdown. With its odd viewing angles, the Bangkok Theatre at Metropolis works far better for film.
The production would have worked better somewhere like the M Theatre or the Chalermkrung Theatre, where our imaginations might have led us to see more supernatural powers than even the production team planned.


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“The Woman in Black” runs from Friday to Sunday at Bangkok Theatre on the sixth floor of Big C Pratunam. Showtime is 7.30 and there are 2pm matinees on the weekend. Tickets cost Bt600 to Bt1,500 at Thaiticketmajor. See www.Dreambox.co.th or call (02) 715 35479.