A MASTER CLASS IN ACTING

Thai production of famous play shines despite controversial portrayal of opera legend Callas

- WILLIAM NIALL MORRIS

'm not at all convinced by Terrence McNally's stage play Master Class, based on the legendary opera singer Maria Callas. On the other hand, Tarin Prinyaknit's production, featuring a tour de force performance from the award-winning actress Jaa Phantachat as the faded opera star, is a triumph of the Bangkok stage.

Running for six performances at an intimate room in River City Bangkok with a capacity of less than 100, it is an opportunity to get up close and personal with one of Thailand's most accomplished stage actresses. It is indeed a master class, not so much in opera singing but in acting and comic timing.

Not more than a few minutes into the play, one gives up attempting to suspend disbelief that we are in the presence of Callas. For this I am grateful as it makes the play far more enjoyable. Jaa looks nothing like the tall, willowy Greek opera singer and, in a witty new Thai language translation, speaks nothing like her either. Instead, she parades the stage, short and bespectacled, like a self-possessed Imelda Marcos, giving singing lessons with the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

For every second she is on stage, which is always, her diva antics eclipse the other performers who are more her victims than her singing students. Jaa plays the vain artiste, past her prime, to perfection and the hugely appreciative audience relish her hilarious performance without restraint.