Performing Pattern of the Khon Sot by Amnuaiphon Troupe

Abstract

The article's purpose is to analyse the performing format of the khon sot performed by the Amnuaiphon troupe in the Lopburi province of Thailand. Research data was collected from fieldwork, interviews, and informal observation.

The result showed that the Amnuaiphon troupe had been transmitting for about 80 years. Currently, the troupe is run by Amnat Phoon, the leader. The Amnuaiphon troupe was found to be the only one still performing popularly in the Lopburi province of Thailand. The dramatic text creation focuses more on the spoken script than the poetic part so the audience can better understand the narrative. However, the poetic lyrics are compact and fast, which is different to the style of the khon of the Department of Fine Arts, which uses a lot of phak and cheracha (narration) to extend the length of the performance. However, both khon performing types have different styles but still maintain the same structural narrative of the original Ramakian. There were added characters who were not the main characters in that episode to make the two types of khon performances different. For example, the Ramakian in the episode of Thawai Ling, Hanuman Suep Khao in which there is Nang Montho and Nang Kalla Akkhi, who are the wifes of Thotsakan; these additional characters appeared in the khon sot version.