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If you missed out on Khon tickets at the National Theatre last time round, here's your second shot. The Fine Arts Department's Office of Performing Arts brings back Khon Ramakien: Ramavatar Episode for four weekend matinées this October and November, backed by a full lighting and sound production.
Khon, Thailand's masked dance drama, has been on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list since 2018. The dancers never speak. Narrators and a chorus deliver every line from the side of the stage while a piphat ensemble of xylophones, gongs and drums keeps time. The performers tell the story through posture and precise hand movements. Monkey warriors and demon kings wear lacquered masks, and the costumes are heavy with gold thread and sequins.
This chapter comes from the Ramakien, the Thai version of India's Ramayana, and follows the god Narai as he takes human form as Phra Ram. National Artist Pakorn Pornpisut directs a cast from the department's own company.
The venue sits beside Sanam Luang, a short walk from the Grand Palace, so a bowl of noodles in Banglamphu before the 2pm start makes sense. Prices begin at B100, each performance has 1,000 seats, with 700 sold online and 300 at the box office.
Khon Ramakien: Ramavatar Episode is at the National Theatre, Phra Nakhon, on Oct 11, 17 and 25 and Nov 1 at 2pm. Tickets cost B100-400 and go on sale Wed, Sep 30 from 9.30am at the box office and via the Fine Arts Department website.