Performance at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre

Abstract

This article is part of a thesis on performances at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. This research aimed to investigate the academic documentation and related research to obtain historical data, including the experts' interviews, and analyze and summarize the data as important knowledge for Thai dance and drama. The results showed that Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre is a permanent cultural theatre that is 89 years old. It used to be a very modern movie theatre called Sala Chalermkrung. Entering the era of World War 2, the film had to be stopped and perform a stage play instead. When the war ended, the film returned to show again. A major refurbishment was the restoration of the architectural structure, stage, seats, and various techniques, and ready to be relaunched as “Chalermkrung Royal Theater”. Concerts, award ceremonies, and various contests were held. In addition, there was a show named Khon Chintanarumit, and the Khon Sala Chalermkrung was performed and held on important occasions each year. At present, the shows are performed not only on important occasions but also for tourists.

          The analysis found that the performances at Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre were divided into 5 eras as follows: 1) pre-war movies, 2) stage plays during World War II, 3) post-war movies, 4) international theaters, 5) Khon Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre. The researcher's investigation found that each era has similar and different performances.

          There has been a significant change from one era to another. Although the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre constantly changed the performances, they wanted to organize the performances to be up-to-date. And another reason is to rectify the situation and various conditions that occurred then, to maintain the royal theater that combines the precious history of the performances at the Sala Chalermkrung Royal Theatre.