History of female charaters represented by men in Thai dance performances

Abstract

This article, “History of female characters represented by men in Thai dance performances” is a part of the thesis for the Doctor of Philosophy Program in Thai Theatre and Dance, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, entitled “The Semiology of Female Characters in Naraphong charassri’s Contemporary Dance”. It is aimed at study the history of the female Character played by men and analyze the context and various factors that led to the actors acting in the female Character. Qualitative research methodology was employed with data being collected from related documents and research studies, interviews with relevant experts, and recorded video of the performance.

       The result of the research shows that the female characters represented by men have been around since the Ayutthaya. By using male actors to portray her character in Thai dance performances such as Khon, LakhonChatri and LakhonNok which are caused by various factors such as 1) convenience in training 2) the nature of the management of the theater company 3) values About women, 4) the prohibition or the rule of monarchy, and 5) the cracking, which despite the use of male actors in real women But some types of performances, such as the drama of the Fine Arts Department And dramas outside of which men are portrayed as female characters are still popular. Because it can create fun in the show and increase the enjoyment of the audience as well.