Likay

Likay (Thai: ลิเก, rtgs: like) is a form of popular folk theatre from Thailand. Its uniqueness is found in the combination of extravagant costumes with barely equipped stages and vaguely determined storylines, so that the performances depend mainly on the actors’ skills of improvisation and the audiences’ imagination.

There are several competing ideas about the origins and development of Likay. However, the most likely is that Likay has roots in the Malay Jikey, an Islamic chant. Since there is a wide gap between this religious performance and folk entertainment, it is also possible that Likay derives from India instead, especially as there are many Indian dance gestures found in the actors’ performances.

The lack of historic references also creates controversy about the first emergence of Likay, but it is most likely to have emerged as a distinct form of theatre in the late 19th century. Nowadays the performances mainly take place in rural areas, at temple fairs and private sponsored events. Even though TV and radio still broadcast performances of Likay, this form of folk theatre is becoming rarer.

The Likay story repertoire ranges from historic incidents to well known folk tales larded with humorous anecdotes. The main characters are phra (hero), nang (heroine), kong (villain), itcha (villainess) and joker (male or female clowns) in the roles of stereotyped princesses, kings and lower class figures with caricatured appearances and a lot of “freedom in speech”. Their fates unfold in stories of love which usually involve overcoming obstacles, as well as in family dramas which always have a happy ending. Although the language and character of some of the figures are rude and barely represent appropriate decency, good and bad are sharply distinguished and the troupes leave the audience with a clear moral with the good always defeating the bad.

The figures Khun Chang and Khun Paen are amongst the most popular characters in Likay. Based on a well-known Thai folklore tale (named after the two main characters Khun Chang Khun Phaen) about a dramatic love triangle, the two men compete for one beautiful woman and reappear in countless Likay performances.

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Wikipedia