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Sakorn Yangkhiawsod, (more widely known as Joe Louis), the founder of the Hun Lakhon Lek Joe Louis Troupe, is the country's last small puppet performers and one of Thailand's top puppet masters. In 1996, in recognition of his efforts to preserve traditional Thai puppetry, Sakorn Yangkhiawsod was consecrated "National Artist". Today the 86-year old puppet master continues to devote his life to the revival of this ancient art.
The Joe Louis troupe remains Thailand's only troupe that still performs the Hun Lakhon Lek Thai traditional small puppet play and remains the sole guardian of this dying art form.
The puppet master made his first puppet when he was 20 and over the years, has crafted a fine collection of 50 traditional Thai puppets, both large and small. Joe Louis' creation of the ancient Siamese small puppet performance is unique. Unlike any other Thai traditional puppet play, the Joe Louis puppets are able to mimic a range of human gestures and through these gestures, express emotion. For example, the puppets are able to move their wrists to 'wai' (a greeting gesture in Thai culture), or embrace (to show affection), point their fingers or clap, shake their heads or nod. |
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The Joe Louis puppet play is performed by three manipulators jointly controlling one puppet thereby creating highly animated, life-like movements. This enables the puppet to move or dance gracefully. The most popular play performed by the Joe Louis puppet troupe is the famous "Ramayana" epic (Ramakien in Thai), regularly performed in Thailand and the countries of South and Southeast Asia.
Joe Louis has also frequently taken his art overseas and performed at international festivals as well as special organised tours in Sweden, France, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Egypt and the United States.
The Joe Louis troupe moved to a new home -- The Joe Louis Theater at Suan-Lum Night Bazaar on the corner of the Witthayu-Rama IV Road intersection -- where daily shows are performed. The theatre opens from 13.00 to 21.30 everyday with a daily performance starting at 19.30 and lasting 1 hour 15 minutes. |
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The Myth of Rahu and the Lunar Eclipse, a new theatrical production by the Joe Louis Hun Lakhon Lek traditional Thai puppet troupe that highlights the awe-inspiring phenomenon of eclipses, is currently playing.
In the perfect setting of an air-conditioned theatre, the puppets are once again brought to life by expert puppeteers offering the audience an opportunity to see and touch the enchanting Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. |
A visit to the theatre also includes an opportunity to witness the painstaking process of crafting a Thai traditional mask known as the Hua Khon, as taught by venerable artist Joe Louis to his students. Before the performance starts, Joe Louis staff will take guests on a "Joe Louis Cultural Tour" featuring the "Puppet Gallery", an exhibition on the history of Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and the theatre, puppet- making demonstration and the art of controlling the puppet.
Tragically all of Joe Louis' puppets, except for one, were destroyed in a fire that engulfed his home. However with his deep love he for the craft, the puppet master found the emotional strength to continue his life's work. He gradually replaced the puppets lost in the flames with the help of family members as well as those interested in puppet making. His new collection now consists of 12 puppets primarily featuring the characters from the Ramayana epic such as Rama, Sita, the god Siva, Hanuman and Pali.
THE JOE LOUIS CULTURAL TOUR
Before the performance starts, Joe Louis staff will take guests on a "Joe Louis Cultural Tour" featuring the "Puppet Gallery", an exhibition on the history of Hun Lakhon Lek puppets and the theatre, puppet- making demonstration and the art of controlling the puppet.
Joe Louis has also frequently taken his art overseas and performed at international festivals as well as special organised tours in France, Switzerland, Germany, Japan, Egypt and the United States.
Keeping the Artistic Heritage Alive For Future Generations
The performing arts has been a part of Joe Louis soul and spirit during his entire lifetime. He devoted his life to the art form -- from crafting each of the puppets, to performing and directing. He has passed on his wealth of knowledge and experiences in the Thai theatrical arts and stage drama – Khon, Lakhon, Likay, and Hun Lakorn Lek, to his nine sons and daughters right from their childhood days.
Today, in the loving memory of Joe Louis – “The bringer of life to Hun Lakorn Lek”, Surin Yangkeawsot, his seventh child, is working to promote the preservation and study of Hun Lakhon Lek for future generations. Surin Yangkeawsot has inherited the Puppet Theatre as well as the important responsibility of passing on this knowledge to the next generation. The craft is now being passed on to 10 grandchildren.
For a comprehensive introduction to the ‘Hun Lakhon Lek’ traditional Thai small puppets, please visit the Joe Louis Theatre web site.
Web site: www.joelouis-theater.com/eng/
Performances
The Myth of Rahu and the Lunar Eclipse
Schedule & Booking
Daily performances
19.30 – 20.45
RESERVATIONS
Can be made directly at Joe Louis Theatre box office
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 9683/ 4
Fax: +66 (0) 2252 9685
Email: joelouistheater_pr@hotmail.com
Web site: http://www.joelouis-theater.com/eng/
Please make reservations prior to 16.00 on the day of the show and please pick up your tickets in person by 18.00 on the day of the show.
Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 09:30 – 21.30
Sat. – Sun. 13.00 – 21.30
Ticket price
Non-Thai (Adults): 600 Baht
Non-Thai (Age 7 - Age 15): 300 Baht
Children under 7 years of age: Free
LOCATION & MAP
Please click to expand
Joe Louis Theatre
Bangkok Suan-lum Night Bazaar
1875 Rama IV Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Getting to the Theatre by public transportation
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Bus No. 50, 14, 47, 17, 115 |
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BTS Sky Train, Saladaeng station then Bus No. 115 |
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Private car: Express way, Exit Rama IV, U-Turn under the Thai-Belgium bridge |
Contact information:
Joe Louis Theatre
Bangkok Suan-lum Night Bazaar
1875 Rama IV Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 9683/ 4
Fax: +66 (0) 2252 9685
Email: joelouistheater_pr@hotmail.com
Note: Food, drinks and pets cannot be brought into the theatre. Additionally as flashes from cameras distract the performers, photography during the performance is not permitted. However following the performance, visitors will be able to take photos with the Joe Loius puppets. |
