Live Theatre Returns to Chiangrai

 

CHIANGRAI– Readers may recall that in May 2012, the Gate Theatre Company brought its production of “Driving Miss Daisy” to the Legend Resort in Chiang Rai – thought to be one of the first times English-speaking drama visited the city. That visit was very successful – more than 100 people attended the Saturday evening performance. A special matinee performance for local schools held the following afternoon was also well-attended, and was followed by an interesting discussion between the cast and the audience about drama in schools.

 For those not familiar with The Gate Theatre Company, it is a non-profit foundation which exists to enrich the cultural life of Chiangmai through the production of high quality plays in the English language. The company began life as the personal initiative of the Artistic Director, Stephan Turner who worked many years in professional theatre in Chicago and New York. Teaming up with various talented Chiangmai residents of diverse ages and nationalities, he has produced a number of well-renowned plays such as Driving Miss Daisy, Strange Snow and The Odd Couple. The common denominators underlying this selection are complex relationships and self-revelation leading ultimately to personal growth.

 On May 11 this year, the Gate Theatre Company will be back in Chiangrai to perform “The Dodo Bird”.

 First produced in 1967, “The Dodo Bird,” is an intense one act drama which explores what it means to live on the fringe of society, to be a man who failed to achieve the universal dream of being able to sustain himself and his family and ceased to live by the culture’s standards. The Dodo Bird represents those we often choose not to see; the guy with glazed eyes walking down the street talking to himself, carrying a bottle in a brown paper bag, maybe asking for change. All these Dodo Birds came from someplace, had parents once, maybe their own family, maybe a job.

 “The Dodo Bird” will be performed at The Legend Resort Hotel on May 11 beginning at 7:00 pm. Tickets cost 550 Baht for adults including wine or beer plus finger food at a reception after the performance with the cast. Students will pay 250 Baht including soft drinks at the reception. For reservations and additional information contact The Legend Resort Hotel at 053-910 400 or email info@TheLegend-ChiangRai.com.

 There will be a second presentation the next day (May 12^th) again at The Legend beginning at 2 pm oriented to high school students and their teachers. Gate Theatre devotes a lot of time and energy to educating and cultivating young talent in Chiangmai and hopes this second production in Chiangrai will inspire similar enthusiasm among the youth of Chiangrai.

 More information about the Gate Theatre can be found on its website www.gate-theater.com. More information on “The Dodo Bird” can be found here. – Author Paul Hancock