THE STUDY OF KHON DIRECTING FROM NAI PICHET’S KHON TROUPE

Abstract

     This article was an artistic knowledge extraction and performance analysis of the Khon production of Nai Pichet Khon's Troupe through the Khon directing of Pichet Klunchun. The creation and design of this production determined to perform at The musée du quai Branly, Jacques Chirac, France, during 17-19 November 2021, which was premiered for Thai audiences at Changchui, Bangkok on 4 June 2022, later performed for the Faculty of Arts 50th Anniversary Celebration at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok on 17 June 2023. For this study, I participated in music direction and performed as a vocalist. I collected data through participant observation, note-taking, and in-depth discussions with the director. Moreover, I analyzed the online article of Pichet Klunchun, which shows that the core concept of Nai Pichet Khon's Troupe direction was to maintain the quality of traditional Khon while creating more quality Khon dancers. The accompaniment of music and Khon choreography, the deconstruction of the character’s myth, the script analysis and interpretation, the stage composition are for communication to the contemporary audiences which can enjoy in the moment while watching Khon's Performance.