Animalistic Fun
Aug 15th, 2006 by Jinja
Animalistic Fun
Took in the Sunday performance of ‘Phum Darachan‘ at Chenla Theatre with a french friend.
The best translation I can get for ‘Darachan‘ is ‘animalistic’ or the earlier ‘bestial’. It is essentially based on the 1964 novel based on the event, where the French Resident’s name is changed to ‘Pardez’. Even though it deals with a popular revolt, this is a safe drama to produce; the book’s been taught in the school curriculum for decades (and French Colonialism is an easy target). Maybe this will open the door for some more historical adaptations.
The stagecraft was impressive enough that the audience laughed with surprise at moments when they should have been upset. Overall there was a good buzz at the end, I think that the crowd got its 2000 riel worth. There were only about 25 barangs in a theater with about 200 people!
Bonus points to Amrita Performing Arts for providing English subtitles. (I just wish I could have taken pictures!)
My rule of thumb for foreigners: if you regularly watch public TV in your home country, give Yike or Bassac opera a try. If you can’t stand public TV, maybe give it a miss.
Instead, you could check out the movie I went home and saw on DVD afterwards: Banlieue 13, a French martial arts film with lots of fighting and an almost nonexistent plot; practially a live action video game.
Tags: Cambodia,theatre
