Abstract:
This study is a qualitative research in multiple methodology : 1) Ethnographic ; participation in 3 "Sor-drama" companies, i.e. "Kao-Tuam", "Lukmaeping" and "Daolanna", by learning "Sor", observing "Sor-drama" performance, video recording 2) In-dept interview ; with head of "Sor" companies and 30 audiences 3) Documentary research during September 2004 to February 2005. The objectives for this research are to list the names of "Sor-drama" companies in Chiangmai and particular of "Sor-drama", aesthetic formality and change, aesthetic concept of audience with performance. Results of research found that there are 16 "Sor-drama" companies in Chiangmai : "Kao-Tuam" "Kumnoi Maejam" "Daorung" "Daolanna" "Buatong Mungpraw" "Reawatshow" "Luktunghimdoi" "Lukmaeping" "Srima Houy-sai" "Sriwan Sameang" "Sommai and Pankaw Mungpraw" "Saitara" "Saisampan" "Singkum Chaisri" "Seangsor Sanpartong" and "Hongtong-prakongsin". However, each company is not absolutely separated but joins together to perform. Mostly, "Sor-drama" performs in the afternoon and evening. Aesthetic formality of "Sor-drama" found that beauty is "Sor" (mostly oral literature) harmony between form of performance, space and time, improvisation skill, interactive with audience, taste or "Rasa" such as sorrow, laughter, and romance, including modernization (story, costume, language) and coming of new media (folk music, music sound, music instruments). The audiences are different appreciate to performance and can be categorized into 3 groups of audiences appreciate to change : 1) Traditional appreciation but except change 2) Modern and traditional appreciation 3) Modern appreciation.