Makhampom ends a prolific year with a musical homage to the inspiring writer Sriburapha

More than a hundred years ago Siamese theatre artists adapted the Western-style opera to new forms of homegrown theatre, including lakorn rong.

From the royal palace, where it was cultivated by Prince Narathipprapanpong, lakorn rong evolved into a popular entertainment at playhouses like the Chalermkrung and Chalermthai.

Closing this year's Bangkok Theatre Festival, the Makhampom troupe is presenting as its seventh production of 2008 "Bantuek Isara" ("Freedom of Memory").

It's an adaptation of "Isara Chon", the group's acclaimed lakorn rong for the birth centenary three years ago of Kulap Saipradit, who wrote under the penname Sriburapha.

Led by Silpathorn Award winner Pradit Prasartthong, who scripted, directs and acts in "Bantuek Isara", the troupe researched Kulap's life and works and stitched together scenes.

Songs and lyrics were added by musical director Kantee Anantakan, under the supervision of Kru Sudjit Duriyapraneet, a doyenne of Thai classical music.

The focus is on the years 1952 to '57, when Sriburapha was unlawfully jailed.

A forthright and strong-willed newspaper editor, he had established the Peace Foundation of Thailand, only to be arrested and jailed for treason for protesting the Korean War and demanding an end to press censorship.

Behind bars he wrote the first two volumes of an unfinished trilogy, "Lae Pai Khang Na" ("Looking Ahead"), as a morale booster in times of political trouble.

Free your mind

The play's message is that our thoughts cannot be imprisoned.

Joining the cast will be guest performers Madame Figaro editor Montakan Ransibrahmanakul as Kulap's wife Chanid, the play's narrator; and pop singer Natcha "Ploy Little Voice" Sawatrakkiat, who takes turns

 with Sukanya Sompaiboon in the role of the young Chanid.

A four-member ensemble on violin, piano, cello, saw uu, klui and klong will provide the live accompaniment.

 GET THE MESSAGE

>> "Bantuek Isara" is at Makhampom Studio at the Saphan Kwai intersection until Monday.

>> Shows are at 7.30pm Monday to Friday and at 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

>> Tickets are Bt300 and Bt150 for students at (02) 616 8473 and (082) 561 8677.

>> On the Internet: www.Makhampom|Studio.net.