PRADIT PRASARTTHONG'S CONTEMPORARY LAKORN CHATRI PLAYS: CREATIVITY AND TECHNIQUE OF MAKING A HUMOR

Abstract

This qualitative research aimed to study the characteristics of scriptwriting and sense of humor techniques in the contemporary playwriting of Lakorn Chatree by Pradit Prasartthong, including three stories: "Kaew Nama," "Nang Sipsam," and "Manoree."
The research employed document collection, video recording, and in-depth interviews. The study revealed four categories of Lakorn Chatree: 1) the royal style, 2) the folk style, 3) the contemporary style, and 4) the educational institution style. Pradit Prasartthong's work aims at interacting with educational institutions. Three outstanding components in Pradit Prasartthong's Lakorn Chatree playwriting were found, including: 1) The intertextuality between contemporary and original Lakorn Chatree Playwritings, 2) The conservation of traditional poetry, and 3) communication with modern society. Two techniques for creating a sense of humor were identified: 1) creating a sense of humor in Lakorn Chatree’s tradition and 2) creating a sense of humor as Western parody literature. These critical concepts of Pradit Prasartthong's contemporary Lakorn Chatree playwriting creation were not against nor did they destroy traditions but rather created different options for Thai theatre arts in contemporary society.