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Hamlet set to take to the stage
of the Regents’ Globe Theatre
Michael Thomas
Following their hugely successful performances of Shakespeare’s Romeo and
Juliet (2005), Russell’s Educating Rita (2006) and Shelley’s Frankenstein
(2007), the TNT / American Theatre Group make a welcome return visit to the
Regent’s School Globe Theatre on Tuesday, April 29 at 7.30 p.m. with their
flagship production of the most famous play in the literature of world
drama, Hamlet by William Shakespeare. The Japan Times described the
production as ‘a striking example of how Shakespeare can be made relevant
for a modern audience’.
 Hamlet
meets the ghost of his father.
The tragedy of the Danish student prince doomed to avenge the unnatural
death of his father by his scheming uncle has fascinated audiences worldwide
for the last 400 years, as well as generating at least 10 different filmed
interpretations. As usual, TNT do not disappoint in a production which
daringly combines forms of Eastern and Western theatre, including bold use
of commedia masks. The edited text is performed at a breathtaking pace, its
contrasting moments of startling humour and chilling horror captivating the
audience from start to finish. Furthermore, the versatility of the company
is truly amazing with the 28 characters in the play acted by only 7 actors,
the performance climaxing in the thrilling sword fight between Hamlet and
Laertes.
TNT is a professional global touring company and this production has
received massive acclaim wherever it has played, which has included a
stadium of 6000 spectators in Munich! The production won first prize at the
Teheran International Theatre Festival and received an Arts Achievement
Award from the Government of Singapore.
Tickets are a bargain 250 baht for students and 300 baht for adults.
Reservations and further information about the production can be obtained by
email on [email protected] or by mobile tel: 0811554313. Tickets will
also be available at the door on the evening of the performance. Light
refreshments will be available during the interval
‘A truly extraordinary production of Shakespeare’ raved the Czech Pravo
newspaper. Do not miss out on this great opportunity to see this great
classic play.
Happy Songkran from
the Pattaya City Expats Club
The Pattaya City Expats Club (PCEC) meeting on Sunday, April
13th at Henry J. Bean’s fell at the beginning of this year’s Songkran
celebrations. Subsequently it was decided to introduce some of the traditional
aspects of this often misunderstood Thai festival.
 PCEC
member Michelle prepares to pour water on the hands of Nai Amphur Mongkol, in a
traditional Songkran ceremony held at the start of the meeting.
Songkran provides the opportunity to make merit by offering food to the monks.
It is also achieved by way of the bathing ceremony of the Buddha image which was
carried out in the entrance at this Sunday’s meeting. On entering Henry J.
Bean’s, attendees were welcomed and garlanded by staff in traditional Thai
costume
This week’s MC Roger Fox took some time to provide the background to the true
Songkran festival, explaining that elderly relatives are visited over the period
in order to pay respect and ask for their blessing by pouring fragrant water
over their hands.
The PCEC was honoured to welcome back the Nai Amphur, chief of the Banglamung
district, Mongol. Mongol, together with the most senior club members, Richard
Smith, Bill Burbridge and Marjorie Blissett, were pleased to take part in this
aspect of the traditional Songkran ceremony. They were seated in front of the
large group of members and guests at a decorated table, who then lined up to
pour water over their hands and flower bouquets, and gave blessings which were
duly returned.
The PCEC was most appreciative of the efforts of Sermsakdi for organising this
event and enabling club members to participate in it.
MC Roger Fox reminded all those taking part that the meeting was to finish
earlier, at 12 noon this week, enabling those people who had volunteered to
participate in the Chonburi Songkran parade could put on their shirts and sashes
and then depart for Chonburi.
He also announced that a traditional Songkran ceremony was being held in the
grounds of the Amari Hotel from 2.30 p.m.
Returning to normal club activities, Noi Nongkoonoi was introduced as the
manager of the Sanctuary of Truth. Noi related that the building of the
Sanctuary had started in 1981 by Lek, who was a very successful businessman with
manufacturing and insurance interests. It was explained that the structure was
not a temple but a sanctuary of peace, philosophy and understanding. The major
world religions are equally depicted in parts of the Sanctuary. Numerous photos
were shown which confirmed this spectacular location including the erawan, a
statue of a huge three headed elephant.
Also included in the grounds of the Sanctuary is a dolphin show with
performances twice daily.
PCEC board member Stuart Saunders announced that the next one day excursion was
planned for April 30, this time taking in Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, including
the buffet lunch available there and a chance to ask questions of a
horticultural nature regarding Thai plants and flowers.
The next club dinner was announced by PCEC board member Michel de Goumois.
Taking place on Thursday May 1, the dinner is to be held at the Scandinavian
Beach Club were the highly recommended smorgasbord would be available at a very
attractive price.
The regular Open Forum was then underway mediated by Roger Fox. As always it
provided an opportunity for questions about living in Thailand with an emphasis
on Pattaya to be asked. The Open Forum again proved to be the usual lively and
entertaining session. For more information regarding, not only PCEC Sunday
meetings but also the varied mid week activities, please see the Community
Happenings section of Pattaya Mail or, for more details, visit the Club’s
website at pattayacityex patsclub.com.
PCEC members and friends with Nai
Amphur Mongkol (4th right),
and with speaker of the day Noi Nongkoonoi (third from right),
manager and chief guide of the Sanctuary of Truth.
Camillian Social Center receives visit from old friends
Johan de Graauw
Long time friends and ex-residents of Thailand recently returned for a short
vacation at the Camillian Social Center, Rayong. Fr. Giovanni and all the
children were happy to see them again after two years.
 Gerard
Lubbers (left) and Johan de Graauw (right) present funds they’d raised in
Holland to Non at the Camillian Center in Rayong.
Johan de Graauw and Gerard Lubbers have never forgotten the children they cared
for when they lived here. It is their legacy that the children of the Camillian
Center have so many sponsors and people that have put in place so many
activities for them, such as the last swimming pool. They are the two people who
have launched so many wonderful expressions of generosity from people who visit
this center.
When Johan and Gerard went back to live in Holland they decided to continue
their work on behalf of the center in Amsterdam. They are the founder members of
the “Foundation Friends of the Camillian Social Center Nederland” there. In the
first 4 months they raised 225,000 baht for the center, which was presented too
Fr. Giovanni during Easter and Songkran.
Since they have been here they have been hosted by their friend Geoffrey Hughes,
a large fund raiser for the Center, and they voluntarily worked in all three
sections of the center (Garden of Eden, CSC and the independent living center).
They would personally like to thank all their friends and sponsors for the
opportunity to be in Thailand again to help these poor people suffering with
HIV, and promise that their work will continue when back in Holland.
Fr. Giovanni and the children say
thanks
to Gerard Lubbers and Johan de Graauw.
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