Royal Ballet Theatre of Luang Prabang, Lao.

Recently on a visit to Luang Prapang, I had the opportunity to watch a production of Phralak Phralam by a group of dance students stationed at The National M.30pm. On arrival at 5.50pm. to buy tickets,were we informed that the nights entertainment had been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. On pointing out that there was still 40 minutes before curtain rise, and there was plenty of time for people to show up, after all this was a holiday location. This suggestion was greeted in a negative way, it was not possible to sell me a ticket as there had only been three other people interested. It was just as well the production was not in Hobart, were audience generally arrive five minutes before the start. The director or whoever the person in charge informed me there could be no dance production unless twenty people were in attendance. While this discussion was taking place, chairs were being stacked away under stairs and corners, the young dancers who were present on my arrival had mystery disappeared . Things did not look good.

A further 15 minutes passed, when the three people more people who had been  turned away early, arrived back with two more potential customers, Our director claimed no matter there were not enough, and he would send the dancers home. Suddenly fifteen Thai tourists arrived wanting to see the show,  Immediately went in search of our director, finally  locating him in a back office to inform him  we now had twenty people. I should mention, that it was not possible to buy tickets anywhere in town other than at the theatre prior to the performance, so flexibility was required He seemed to brighten up at this news and was prepared to open the ticket  office after all. By 6.30 a further ten people had arrived and the performance could begin. It would appear that a new marketing strategy is required if this very talented group of young dancers are to make a living.

Early in the day I had visited the National Museum, and was delighted to see theatre masks of a similar type to those I had drawn early in the day used in the production. A drawing of one I include here. Theatre masks are such a wonderful thing, taking the actor out of themselves a into another world.

Samphari Mask.

The dancers were wonderful, and performed an extract from the Buddhist story  about Mt. Meru Sau Samin,House of Phakyin,The costumes for both male and female dancers were wonderful, as was their dancing. Among the female dancers there was one who I was informed later was only nine years old, yet she danced like a true professional. The girls hand gestures were flexible beyond belief, and very beautiful. If in Luang Prabang try to pay the theatre a visit, you won't be disappointed.