From: Jimsan777-AT-aol.com
Date: Wed, 18 Feb 2004 09:35:21 EST
Subject: PUPT: Joe Lewis Puppet Theater--Bangkok


I'm not sure I sent this properly from my computer while in Cambodia a few 
days ago... hope you find it interesting...Jim Gamble

Re: Joe Louis Puppet Theater. Feb. 2004
Phone #02-252-9684, Bangkok, Thailand

          While performing at Univ. of Hawaii early January 2004, good friend 
& theater professor Dr. Tamara Hunt told me to check on the Joe Lewis Theater 
while in Bangkok. As I had never heard of it, the search became a quest. 
After asking around we learned the theater is located in the Suan Lum Night Plaza. 
The 300 + seat theater was a most pleasant surprise, and the Plaza 
surrounding it was a puppeteer’s delight with all sorts of marionettes and rod puppets 
for sale in vender stalls.   Also included is a long hall with puppets on 
exhibit, puppets in the lobby, and if you ask nicely, a backstage tour.   I will 
post photos on my web site when I return to LA.  www.jimgamble.com

        Each rod puppet was controlled by three puppeteers, 18 operators in 
all. They performed the "Ramakien," Thai version of the Indian Ramayana.   
Manipulation was superb as the 28-inch rod puppets danced the story to Thai 
background musical recording.   The theater was adorned with rich gold fabric in 
folds along the sides and front of the stage.   Basic color scheme was dark red, 
gold and black.   The puppeteers wearing simple costumes appeared in full 
view.   They mimicked the classical Thai dance of the puppets, dancing and 
stamping in unison, giving additional focus to the hour long performance.   There 
were good and bad rod puppets, princesses, kings and the white monkey 
warrior/king.   The characters were exquisitely crafted, an understatement, with typical 
Thai costumes, head dressings and expressive movement. 

     The central puppeteer worked a character’s head by holding a handle 
inside the chest connected to the bottom of the neck with one hand, and a hand rod 
with his other.   The handle allowed for lots of head motion. A second 
puppeteer worked the feet while the third operated a single rod to the other puppet 
hand. Each rod also contained a wheel, so that the operator could make the 
hand bend up or down at the wrist by rolling the wheel his thumb and index 
finger.   The puppets were held above the head of the puppeteers and this production 
employed no set pieces: puppeteers became an integral part of the 
performance. There were doors for entrances and exits on either side of the center 
opening at the front of the elevated stage.   

     At one point the puppeteers brought the puppets into the audience.   I 
would like to re-emphasize that manipulation was flawless. The side puppeteer 
working the single arm used his other had to guide the central puppeteer 
working the head, so that the three of them worked as a single unit. They employed 
comedy and drama in this sometimes rather complicated story.    Anyone else 
been there???   Jim Gamble

     The theater is named for an elder Thai puppeteer and is supported in 
order to continue the tradition begun by Sakorn Yangkhiawsod (alias Joe Louis) 
who was consecrated National Artist of Thailand in 1996.   It is well worth the 
visit.    Jim Gamble

     


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