Sasapin “Pupe” Siriwanij, one of the B-Floor Theatre’s core members, is a name well-known among Bangkok theater-goers. At the friendly GOJA Gallery Café this Monday, her one-night-only performance jam, Welcome to ooooLand, explores the concept of Thai identity through a mock celebration of the coup.
Can you explain the name?
In one way, the name Welcome to ooooLand lets you fill in the blank. It started from my observation when the PDRC first took to the streets last year and there was a lot of talk about patriotism online and offline. Then we had the songkran dispute with Singapore. It just all adds up to the question I have about the concept of being Thai. The piece will comically question things we’re so proud of, whether they’re really ours and if they’re really worth the pride. It makes fun of the concept of being very Thai, and being so proud of it. The coup d’état, which seems to happen every once in a while, might as well be one of our Thai traditions.
How happy are you now?
I’m more used to it. I talked to friends of mine the other day about how bizarre it is that we can lead a very normal life under the junta if we are apolitical. But when you want to talk about or comment on it, that’s when you realize your life is not normal at all. I find it strange how we can go out for coffee or a crepe like nothing’s happened, while someone’s life is strongly affected merely for his or her opinion, which is a basic human right. Even before the coup, we’d already been living with a list of taboos; now there’s more on top of it.
Why a jam? And what can we expect to see?
It’s the idea that popped up after the coup. I knew if I wanted to do it, it had to be now. The performance will talk a lot about Thai traditions, in a fun tone, and also encourage discussion. Those interested in the subject are welcome to come mingle, have a drink, chat and have fun together. It will be performed along with groovy percussion by Ann Maneerat, who also has a background in Thai traditional music. Those who find it hard to discuss these matters can just come, free from the fear of getting arrested. It’s all right; we’re just talking. Even talking feels difficult sometimes these days.
We heard about your upcoming first solo show with B-Floor.
It’s scheduled for this September. The name is I Didn’t Launch a Thousand Ships, which is a play on the famous quote by Helen of Troy. It’s a production with B-Floor and will take place in the B-Floor Room and the courtyard of Pridi Banomyong Institute. Last year I did a butoh performance that delved into feminist subjects. The upcoming performance will continue to explore similar topics, but be more focused on the idea of physical limitations and external factors that one has no control over.
