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Sakorn Yangkhiawsod, (more widely known as Joe Louis), the founder of the Hun Lakhon Lek Joe Louis Troupe, was one of Thailand's top puppet masters and the country's last 'Grand Master' of small puppet performers.
The puppet master made his first puppet when he was 20, and over the years, crafted a fine collection of 50 traditional Thai puppets, both large and small. In 1996, in recognition of his efforts to revive traditional Thai puppetry and preserve this ancient art making it an important showcase of Thai cultural heritage, Sakorn Yangkhiawsod was consecrated "National Artist".
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 Heart of Hun Lakhon Lek
Joe Louis' creation of the ancient Siamese small puppet performance is unique. The soul and spirit of the performance comes directly from the puppeteer.
The Joe Louis puppet play requires the synchronised efforts of three puppeteers who jointly control and manipulate the one puppet creating highly animated, life-like movements. This enables the puppet to move or dance gracefully. 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. The elegant movements of the puppet flow entirely from each motion made by the puppeteer.
Hun Lakhon Lek is a collaboration of many art forms
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Hadtasin -- the crafting of puppets |
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Phraneedsin -- the costume of the puppet |
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Nadtasin -- the operation of the puppet movements |
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Ketatsin -- the music |
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Mantanasin -- the stage set and backdrop |
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Hadtasin -- "To give life" |
As the Hun Lakon Lek is based on Khon – the classical Thai masked dance, a highly sophisticated and stylised form of stage entertainment that features dancing, singing and music that is comparable in complexity with the European opera-ballet of the 18th century court at Versailles. Hence in order to stage the performance,puppeteers need to have an intimate knowledge and training in Khon.
The Hun Lakon Lek is based on Khon – the classical Thai masked dance, puppeteers need to have an intimate knowledge and training in khon.
The puppets and the ornate masks used in the performances are handmade and reflect the ultimate sophistication in Thai craftsmanship. Puppet-making is a painstaking art that requires close attention to many intricate details such as the features of the mask, the painting of the faces, the elaborate design and motifs of the costumes and working with precious gold leaves to achieve a perfect finish.
THE RAMAYANA/ ‘RAMAKIEN’
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.
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.
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.thaipuppet.com/core/index.php?lang=en
Performances
Schedule & Booking
Daily performances
19.00 – 19.30 Puppet & Mask Making Demonstration
19.30 – 21.15 Performance
RESERVATIONS
Can be made directly at the Natayasala Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre box office
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 9683/ 4
Fax: +66 (0) 2252 9685
E-mail: naattayasala_pr@thaipuppet.com
Web site: www.thaipuppet.com/core/index.php?lang=en
Please make reservations prior to 16.00 on the day of the show and please pick up your tickets in person from 18.00 to 19.00 on the day of the show.
Office Hours:
Mon. – Fri. 09:30 – 21.30
Sat. – Sun. 13.00 – 21.30
Ticket price
Adults: Non-Thai 900 Baht
Children (Age 7 - Age 15): Non-Thai 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:
The Natayasala Traditional Thai Puppet Theatre
Bangkok Suan-lum Night Bazaar
1875 Rama IV Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
Tel: +66 (0) 2252 9683/ 4
Fax: +66 (0) 2252 5227-9
E-mail: naattayasala_pr@thaipuppet.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 Hun Lakhon Lek puppets. |
