Characteristics of Readymade Play in Chatree Drama "Manora" of the Fine Arts Department

Abstract

This article aims to study the background of the Chatree drama entitled "Manora" of the Fine Arts Department. It investigates the characteristics of traditional Thai plays, readymade drama and the readymade play of the Chatree drama entitled "Manora" of the Fine Arts Department. The documentary research method was applied by studying related documents and research, analyzing the Chatree drama "Manora" of the Fine Arts Department of 1955 edition, written by Mr. Montri Tramote and others, and presenting the results of descriptive or depictive study.

The results were as follows. The Chatree drama "Manora" by the Fine Arts Department was written for use as a script. Both the play and the way it was displayed were entirely new creations. Once showed, it was admired and appreciated by the audience so that the show was repeated many times. It has been passed down to the present. In terms of the characteristics of Thai dramas, it was found that there were two characteristics, namely, traditional plays in which the author did not intend to include all elements necessary for the performance. It is necessary for drama directors to adjust and add some necessary elements. In addition, traditional plays are considered multifunctional literature. Regarding the readymade play, it is a play influenced by western performances, and it tends to specify the elements necessary for the performance in its entirety for convenience and common perception among working group. The readymade plays will help maintain quality and standards so that all shows are comparable or similar. In terms of the characteristics of the readymade drama of the Chatree drama "Manora" of the Fine Arts Department, it was found that the aforementioned Chatree drama is a readymade drama with eight elements, namely the order of the story, the method of display, the scene, the positions of the performer, acting, songs, Pleng Na Pat music, and dialogue. In conclusion, having the characteristics of a readymade play of the Fine Arts Department's Chatree drama "Manora" can help maintain the quality and standard of this Chatree drama, regardless of which theater company that puts it on display. It is also another tool to inherit the display method.