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Esplanade Presents
An Esplanade Commission & Co-Production
Co-produced by TPAM – Performing Arts Meeting in Yokohama and Taipei Performing Arts Center
(Intermission: None)
Esplanade Theatre Studio
This event is over.
Photo Credit: Hideto Maezawa
Photo Credit: Hideto Maezawa
Photo Credit: Hideto Maezawa
Photo Credit: Hideto Maezawa
This event is over.
After a two-year delay due to travel restrictions, this long-awaited production arrives in Singapore right after its tour in Europe. A must-watch for those who are interested in innovations in classical art, it provides an accessible entry into decoding tradition, paving the way for the appreciation and future trajectories of traditional dance.
No. 60 is a treatise on Pichet Klunchun’s two-decade-long research on the language of traditional khon. Stripping the classical form of its face mask and sequined costume, Pichet scrutinises the 59 poses and movements in the Theppanom canon which all Thai classical dancers acquire by rote-learning. He then generates six new principles that undergird the 700-year-old system and presents a manual of hand-drawn diagrams and notes that allows the younger generation to think and learn rationally, free of mysticism and ideological imposition of history.
Comprising two choreographic studies that enact Pichet’s philosophy of relativity and fluidity, the first applies the formal logic of abstraction, cool and contemporary while the second is more mimetic, affective and closer to the expressive nature of khon. Each study also reflexively breaks down the lexicon that constitutes its choreography, and lets us observe the rigour of an academic approach and the potential of structured improvisation for the contemporary trajectory of khon dance. Responding to dancers Pichet and Kornkarn, sound artist Zai Tang provides live music on stage.
As No. 60 unfixes the rigidity of classicism, it also embraces the sense and soul of Thai legacy. It unfolds a complex dialogue between tradition and innovation as they inhabit and circulate within the same continuum—not as binary opposites—to inspire individual thought and motility in times of autocracy.
Mask-wearing is optional. However, audiences are encouraged to continue to exercise responsibility and caution, such as wearing masks when in crowded places.
Latecomers will be admitted at a suitable interval.
There will be a post-show talk on 21 & 22 Oct 2022.
Pichet Klunchun
Pichet Klunchun bridges traditional Thai classical dance language with contemporary sensibility, while keeping the heart and wisdom of the convention. He trained in Thai classical mask dance, khon, from age 16 with Master Chaiyot Khummanee. Over the past 15 years, Pichet has earned domestic notoriety for his efforts in contemporising khon. He has continuously participated in intercultural performing arts festivals in North America, Asia and Europe.
Pichet is the recipient of international awards, including the 2008 Routes ECF Princess Margriet Award for Cultural Diversity by the European Cultural Foundation, the 2012 Chevalier of the French Arts and Literature Order from the French Ministry of Culture for his contribution to the influence of Culture in France, in Thailand and all over the world, as well as the 2014 John D. Rockefeller 3rd Award by the Asian Cultural Council.
Pichet Klunchun Dance Company
Pichet Klunchun Dance Company was founded by Pichet Klunchun, an independent solo dance artist and choreographer. With his international working experiences and desire to establish a professional standard, the company's aim is to create pure art performance and to train young professional dancers with strong Thai classical dance backgrounds.
21 Oct 2022, Fri
8pm
22 Oct 2022, Sat
8pm
23 Oct 2022, Sun
3pm
Standard | Students, NSFs, Seniors & PWDs |
|
Cat 1 | $35 | $28 |
Esplanade&Me Specials
Early Bird (28 Jul – 10 Aug 2022)
Black and White: 20% savings
Discover: 15% savings
From 11 Aug 2022
Black and White: 15% savings
Discover: 10% savings
Tote Board Arts Grant
All Secondary Schools, Junior Colleges / Centralised Institute & ITEs may use the Tote Board Arts Grant to subsidise up to 50% of the programme cost.
For more details, please contact Esplanade Box Office at 6828 8389 or email boxoffice@esplanade.com.
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