After creating outdoor spectacles in Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai, executive producer Thisana Dueandao was challenged with a new destination, Hua Hin, and it's no breeze to do Thailand's first musical on the beach.
Siwat ‘C’ Chotchaicharin as the country boy Fon Luang and Sheranut ‘Namcha’ Yusananda as the city girl Roong.
To honour HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, this project was actually planned for 2009 but postponed due to unfavourable circumstances. However, the 60th anniversary of His Majesty's accession to the throne was still marked by the extravaganza Mahajanaka The Grand Musical presented at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.
Thisana was also the executive producer of the theatrical masterpiece based on a book written by His Majesty. Now she's using all her experience in large-scale productions to make Klaikangwol: Musical On The Beach, which will run from Feb 20-24 at Suan Luang Rachinee park in Hua Hin town.
"The musical is titled Klaikangwol [Far From Worries] but our production team, of course, has a lot to worry about, including the uncontrollable natural sounds of the breeze and sea waves," she said.
Klaikangwol Palace was built as a vacation residence for King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni, however, it was also a place where crucial decisions were made.
"Over the past four years, it has been like finding the many pieces of a jigsaw to put them all together for a memorable musical to honour Their Majesties the King and Queen."
The first piece of the jigsaw was perhaps the location for presenting the musical and accompanying exhibition. Thisana did not know about Suan Luang Rachinee until she explored the charming seaside town looking for a venue.
Carried out four years ago, the survey took her to see landmarks, starting at Hua Hin train station, then the beach known for staging music festivals, followed by the Hin Lek Fai viewpoint and, lastly, a vast 19-rai area with an activity court for organising fairs and festivals.
"None of them seemed like the right place and we almost called it a day," said Thisana. "However, at the last spot, I happened to see lush greenery and it attracted me to take a closer look, discovering this part of Suan Luang Rachinee with a beachfront that makes for a beautiful location, especially with the sea and a Royal Navy battleship providing a stunning backdrop."
Furthermore, Suan Luang Rachinee is located near His Majesty's Klaikangwol Palace and that adds to an enchanting ambience while allowing the audience relate even more to the musical, which revolves around the love that the monarchy has for Thai citizens.
"Coinciding with the month of love, the theme of the musical and exhibition is love, especially the love from His Majesty, who has saved the Thai people from many crises while taking away our worries. Thus the name of the musical, Klaikangwol," said the executive producer and managing director of Mind Matters, a subsidiary of entertainment company, JSL.
Klaikangwol Palace is indeed related to love as it was the honeymoon place for Their Majesties the King and Queen, who travelled to Hua Hin by train the day after the royal wedding on April 28, 1950.
Executive producer Thisana Dueandao.
Their Majesties' presence in Hua Hin was the beginning of meeting the Thai people across the country in order to initiate royal projects based on their needs. The first royal initiative was actually implemented here _ Huay Mongkol Road, which was constructed to facilitate the transportation of agricultural produce from Hua Hin market to other places so that the locals could earn a better livelihood.
The construction of roads nationwide enabled Their Majesties to reach out to all Thai citizens. And this upcoming big event in Hua Hin also marks the centenary of the Ministry of Transport, which is the major supporter among many other partners from the public and private sectors.
"The production involves many parties, including the local community, with whom we had to communicate why we had to temporarily remove about 20 trees in the park in order to build the auditorium. This task was more difficult than the theatrical aspect in staging the musical," said Thisana. "The trees are well taken care of by the Agri-nature Foundation, which has taken them for a 'holiday' in Nakhon Nayok, but they will definitely come back to an even more beautiful park because of the restoration and landscaping of Suan Luang Rachinee after the event."
Facing the sea, the al fresco auditorium accommodates 950 people, who will get to see a musical designed with impressive light and sound effects on evenings near a full Moon.
The musical is directed by Asst Prof Punnasak Sukee, whose previous work includes Mahajanaka The Grand Musical.
Director Punnasak Sukee.
''Hua Hin is known for its jazz and music festivals, but this project is more demanding because we can't just pump up the volume of the music,'' said the director. ''Considering the breeze and sea waves, the sound engineers have to work against nature to ensure the quality of the sound of the dialogue as well as the score.''
The score includes mostly new songs with jazz melodies and royal compositions, namely Klaikangwol (When) by His Majesty and Ratree Pradab Dao by King Prajadhipok.
Klaikangwol Palace was actually built as a vacation residence for King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni, however, it was also a place of work where crucial decisions were made about the country, including the historic change to constitutional monarchy in 1932.
''King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni are remembered for the love they had for one another, whereas granting the constitution and his abdication demonstrated the love for the Thai people. And these stories of love as well as the historical importance of Hua Hin are shared with the audience so that they have another perspective of the town, which is not merely a destination for holidaying,'' said Punnasak, who also penned the story.
The first scene of the musical takes place at Hua Hin train station, where a group of urbanites arrive for the opening of a luxury hotel. The group includes city girl Roong, who's the scriptwriter for a show to be staged at the opulent launch event. Meeting a senior local, she learns about the history of Hua Hin, which makes her want to change the script, to instead present Hua Hin as a town of love. She also gets to meet Fon Luang, who works for the royal rain-making project, and from him she learns about self-sufficiency. The musical stars pop singer Sheranut Yusananda as Roong, Channel 7 heartthrob Siwat Chotchaicharin as Fon Luang and veteran actor Yanee Tramoth as Fon Luang's grandfather. The cast of 55 actors also include students from Bangkok University Theatre Company.
The production is being staged for the public free of charge and a call centre has been set up to handle queries as well as to book tickets.
''It's one of the most difficult productions for us, with many details to consider in making Thailand's first musical on the beach,'' said Punnasak. ''But we are united to make it happen, to show our love and the gratitude that we have for Their Majesties the King and Queen.''
Klaikangwol: Musical On The Beach will be staged at Suan Luang Rachinee park in Hua Hin town, from Feb 20-24, starting at 7pm. For information and reservations, call 091-424-0430-2.
The sea provides a stunning backdrop for the musical.
