theater plays

[nessa]

Does Hua Hin have a number of theater organisations/companies? One which produces quality plays or musicals. How about in Bangkok, any recommendations?

Thanks a lot.

[Chas]

I have often thought that a theatre company might be a terrific addition to the Hua Hin social scene. I know there is a company in Bangkok.

I have done a lot of theatre in my day (mostly musicals) and trained in set design. See if any others are interested and maybe we can start something.

[dtaai-maai]

Chas, for something musical you'd need a whole bundle of real talent (although if you can find a pianna player I've always felt HH could do with a good 'Old Time Music Hall', maybe at Buffalo Bill's?), but for something less ambitious, it might be worth seeing if there are enough interested people around? Maybe a post in the Entertainment section? (I'm interested, but I couldn't possibly organise something like that.)

[dtaai-maai]

By the way, nessa, the answer to your question, as far as HH is concerned is "No!' - unfortuantely.

[Wanderlust]

Chas,
Agreed that it would be a good addition to the scene BUT if any farangs were to be involved you can bet your bottom dollar that they wouldn't be able to get work permits...(even if they were volunteers doing it for free).

[DawnHRD]

Chas,
Agreed that it would be a good addition to the scene BUT if any farangs were to be involved you can bet your bottom dollar that they wouldn't be able to get work permits...(even if they were volunteers doing it for free).

Oh, yeah. I bet there'd be WPs involved somewhere.

[Chas]

WL That come to my mind when I wrote my post. It seems strange that farangs are prevented by law from doing something like forming a community theatre company which is typically an all volunteer not for profit operation. And the radio station announcer situation surprised me too. What about "performing" karoke in a public bar or "jamming" with some friends?

If you are not profiting from an activity, how can it be against the visa work laws?

OK OK Rhetorical question. TIT . . . .where they just passed a law forbidding the wearing of camouflage shorts and t-shirts!

But seriously, do you have the specific law handy that covers unpaid radio announcers and unpaid actors in a community theatre production? ( They DO have a community theatre company in Bangkok, all farang from what I have seen. How do they manage it I wonder?

[Big Boy]

Chas,

The law in the UK is the same. I've known Thais threatened with deportation for unpaid work in a charity shop.

[lindosfan1]

It is a good idea, however who is your markEt and how will you finance particularly if you cannot attract an audience. Plus you need a theatre is there one.
Sorry do not mean to sound negative because I would be prepared to help, but not on stage.

[Chas]

I have been heavily involved with several community theatre groups in two different countries. Sometimes they have been organized only for a specific production, other times they have been a "stock" company running a few different productions a year.

The cost for tickets is usually set and balanced against the expenses and any profits plowed back into the next production or donated to charity ( in fact, I have worked in productions done specifically FOR charity)

The market has been the expat community in one case and the community at large in others. .but the focus is not so much on attracting a huge audience or appealing to the masses as having fun doing something.

In a town like this, finding a theatre (my first theatrical experiences were in a converted barn) would be the least of our worries. Didnt that comedy show last month have a place and pull in a crowd?

And I was serious about asking what about a farang who gets up in a crowded bar and sings? He is performing after all, there is an audience sitting there. .has he broken the terms of his visa and become subject to deportation? If not, why not?

Again, I wonder how they manage it in Bangkok ( They did Pirates of Penzance few months ago!)

BB that is sad about the Thai not being able to volunteer in a charity shop.

[DawnHRD]

I used to act (a long time ago - school productions) but I can't sing to save my life. IF it can be done legally, I would certainly give it a go.

[buksida]

but I can't sing to save my life.

I can vouch for that

I'm sure HH immigration would love another excuse to bust a load of farang criminals for acting without a permit ... though most of the ones in town these days do this on a daily basis anyway

Some jazz musicians recently got busted for playing here so I'd be very careful, this office seems to be one of the harshest in the country.

[dtaai-maai]

Chas,

The law in the UK is the same. I've known Thais threatened with deportation for unpaid work in a charity shop.

BB - threatened by whom, and on what grounds...? As far as I know, UK immigration law will state that if you're not getting paid, you're not working illegally.

I have no idea what the law is here, it would never have occurred to me to even consider it, but I can't believe it's relevant to any popular, amateur, unpaid activity - do you need a work permit to belong to a darts team?

I'm trying to avoid the word 'amdram' here (you have absolutely no idea how hard I'm trying!), but let's say a group of people, probably mostly farang (but possibly not exclusively) get together for a play reading or two (clearly no WP required). They do a few and suddenly realise they're remarkably talented and are going to perform for a wider audience. Obviously there are costs involved, and that wider audience is going to have to contribute to that. There sure as hell isn't going to be any profit in it for anyone.

Please tell me this is all a joke...

[Big Boy]

dtaai-maai,

Rather than spoil this thread any further, I will answer your question by PM

[wazzer]

i might have the room to put on small show,give me a call
0871078901,wazzer