The Creation of Dance Based on Prophetic Lament for Sri– Ayudhaya

Abstract

This article is part of a doctoral thesis whose primary objective was to create the patterns of dance inspired by the literary work entitled “Prophetic Lament for Sri-Ayudhaya” that depicts the prediction of Sixteen Portents leading to the collapse of Ayutthaya Kingdom. The research was conducted under a combination of qualitative and creative research methods. The instruments comprised related documents, interviews with specialists in fine arts as well as those who were relevant to the research topic, observation, and criteria for the honoring of dance icons, information media, seminar and personal experience. The results revealed that the creation of dance patterns could be classified into eight components, as described below: 1) performance script design – based on the contents of Prophetic Lament for Sri-Ayudhaya, the script was divided into three acts, namely collapse, calamity, and prosperity; 2) casting of the performers – those with the ability to act, skills in Thai dance and weapon-based martial arts were selected as the cast; 3) choreography design – everyday movements, Butoh’s movement techniques, tableau vivant, Thai dance, acting and weapon-based martial arts were all integrated; 4) costume design – wardrobes were composed of two sets of outfits: commoners in the Ayutthaya period and Thai royal Khon; 5) stage props and performance craft – paper boxes painted in a striped brick pattern and foam cut into Ayutthaya-style architecture were used as the background representing the historical sites; 6) sound and music design – the performance employed live music – a combination of a contemporary music band, a Thai classical one called Mahori Khrueng Hok (six instruments included), synthetic sounds created by a computer program, Sepa singing style and the performers’ own voices – so as to enhance the audience’s enjoyment; 7) performing space design – the performance was held at Black Box Theatre which was considered spacious and comfortable, fully equipped with modern technology for a high quality of stage design and lighting system; 8) lighting design – lights were also used to build up the atmosphere and mutual feelings, such as loss, nostalgia and prosperity.