Comparison of Musical Performance Styles between “Pleng Song Krueng” and “Western Musical Theater”

Abstract

This article aimed to compare the performance between “Pleng Song Krueng” and the
Western musical theater. A comparative analysis was used to determine the similarities and
differences of the performances in the queue shown on the stage. The results of the study
revealed that the styles of the performances were similar and could be divided into 3 parts as
follows: pre-performance, performance and finale. However, each part was presented in a different
manner. Part 1: The musical theater had an overture and “Pleng Song Krueng” was used to
perform Choi and Wah songs. Part 2: The musical theater was played with musical instruments
and danced during the scene changes, and “Pleng Song Krueng” brought together the actors to
tell the story in connection with the next scene. Part 3: The show’s epilogue was the climax of
a similar story. While the performance of “Pleng Song Krueng” was developed from the central
Thai folk song, musical theater evolved from Italian opera performances. As such - the styles of
performances could be synonymous with one another as a means of entertainment although
the cultural context of the performances differed.