Abstract:
This research emphasizes on studying the contextual determination behind the shadow theatre performance in Rayong province. The subject for this case study is the performing group called Sor Sitkrabokkhuenphueng by analyzing the groups musical components in their performances. The reason behind this choice of study is to provide a further understanding of the southern Thai shadow theatre that transferred from its area of origin to the eastern region of Thailand, the province of Rayong, and developed its very own characteristics and uniqueness. Therefore, it is an interesting and fruitful topic, suitable for researching and gathering data sources, which shall ultimately create the new academic-cultural knowledge of the traditional Thai music in other provinces. The studies of the shadow theatre in the Royong province and the contextual development of the Sor Sitkrabokkhuenphueng performing group suggest that the performing group, which is the first performing group ever found in this province, influenced by the southern style shadow theatre, originally introduced by the great master, Ya Daeng. The Royong people adopted the original style and harmoniously applied it in order to suit the cultural preference of the locals in every artistic aspect and cultural dimension. This shadow theatre performing group became famous whether in Rayong and the nearby provinces. Their style of performance inherited through generations until now. The analysis on the musical components of Sor Sitkrabokkhuenphueng shadow theatre reveals that all the musical instruments in their performance are entirely rhythm instruments. Locally, these musical equipments manufactured by the intellect of the Rayongians. They clearly reflected the local ideology of simplicity and beauty in arts and music. Thus, the Rayongian shadow theatres style of performance is to create the musical rhythm for the singer. The songs used in this shadow theatre are folk songs and traditional-local songs of Rayong, which are suitable for the Rayongian audiences habit and preference. The analysis of the singing in this performance shows that the poem song contains its main tones in do, re, me, and so. With this direction of musical tones, the music for this shadow theatre beautifully created a charming and unique musical accent that characterized the special cultural-musical identity of the Rayong people.