Thai Style of the Comedy of Manners' s Acting Approach

Abstract

This article explores the acting approach of Thai-style comedy of manners through the character of Praya Sakkarin Ruechai in Ching Nang (The Rival), a play by King Rama VI. The study aims to investigate the integration of Thai traditional performance elements into modern comedic acting. The creative process employed a practice-based methodology, incorporating theoretical analysis of the comedy of manners, humor studies, and traditional Thai dance and theatre. The practical component involved rehearsing and performing the role under the direction of Apirak Chaipanha. The findings reveal a hybridized acting approach that combines modern theatre techniques with elements of Thai classical performance. Through an analysis of class, social status, patriarchy, and authority within the character’s context, the study demonstrates how irony in both action and situation is effectively employed. Additionally, character construction draws upon traditional Thai performative codes, such as the Pra (male dance character archetype), Natayasap (codified body movements), and Kam-Bae (gesture of wisping and open palm communication), offering a nuanced method to express the character’s belief system, objectives, emotions, inner states, and behaviors. These insights contribute to the development of a distinctive Thai acting method for comedy of manners.