A PERFORMANCE SCRIPT DESIGN FOR THE DANCE CREATION BASED ON THE THAI LITERATURE OF KHUN CHANG KHUN PHAEN

Abstract

           The objective of this article, which is part of the thesis titled “The Creation of a Dance Related to Magic in Thai Literature”, is to design a performance script for a dance creation based on the concepts and principles of magic mentioned in the Thai literature of Khun Chang Khun Phaen. The result was a dance performance of “Khamung Ved” held presented at the Black Box Theatre. The research tools are: 1) Experimental tool – four experiment dance designs based on the designed performance script and dance styles and one actual dance performance; 2) Design feedback tool – four experiment dance style designs and one actual dance performance; 3) Efficiency evaluation tool – artist standard criteria form and a dance evaluation form.

          Outcome of the performance script design  1) The creators of the performance script studied the use of magic in Thai literature and chose the Thai literature with the highest number of magic uses, the Khun Chang Khun Phaen Verse,  for a comparative analysis of past and present uses of magic in the Thai society. They identified four types of magic uses and selected the unique characteristics of each type for visible presentation in the dance performance. 2)The script creators also designed a performance script that could convey precise meanings through the use of Semiotics and Relationship theories in their analysis and design. The resulting dance performance could communicate the relationship between dancers and a variety of articles in the same manner as the interaction between magicians and the substances used in all four types of magic. 3) A good performance script design enabled artists to discover the philosophies that could be presented in a creative dance.