The Communication of Contemporary Social Issue in Non Dialogue Performance in Bangkok Theatre Festival

Abstract

          This research study investigates the Communication of Contemporary Social Issues in Non-Verbal Performance in Bangkok Theatre Festival 2023.  The objective is to analyze how these issues are conveyed through performance. The study selected 10 Non-Verbal Performances that are performed at Bangkok Art and Culture Center (BACC) including Mime, Physical Theatre, Contemporary Dance, and Light Shadow & Sound data collected by video recording of performance and In-dept Interview with artists who produce Non-Dialogue Performance. The research found that Non-Verbal Performance in Bangkok Theatre Festival 2023 can communicate social topics as effectively as performance with dialogue. However, the methods of performance vary across different styles, and the interpretation of the stories often depends on individual experiences. This variability is a key feature of Non-Verbal Performance, which aim to open up a wide range of thoughts, allowing the audience to imagine and interpret the stories in multiple ways.
          The social issues presented in the Non-Verbal Performance including the Environment, Family, Religion, Lifestyle & Social Inequality, and Political Economy. These issues are often referenced from personal experiences or real events in society, both past and present. This perspective highlights that these issues typically arise from social problems that have yet to be genuinely addressed and resolved, leading to their continued presence in contemporary society. As previously mentioned, the researcher goal is to collect methods for presenting societal issue themes in Non-Dialogue Performance in Bangkok Theatre Festival to assist artists, students, and anyone interested in performing arts with storytelling and performance works.