The Influence of Luk Thung Songs on Likay’s Performance Style

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the influence of Luk Thung songs on Likay’s performance style. The research was conducted by documentary studies, interviews and participant observations, which included watching performances, engaging in performances as actors/actresses and participating in various practices within Sornram Namphetch’s Likay team. The findings revealed that the Likay performance applied Luk Thung songs in a variety of different ways, which can be classified into three forms as follows: 1. Pre-presentation of Luk Thung songs prior to perform Likay or Likay concerts. This pre-presentation was applied by the audience who favored Luk Thung songs. 2. Presentation of Luk Thung songs after performing Likay (Likay Wig and Likay Online). It was performed to thank the audience for their rewards. 3. Applying Luk Thung songs to Likay’s performance style before performing, while performing and after performing or La Rong. The lyrics of the original and the new composed Luk Thung songs were presented to support the moods, theideas and the feelings of Likay performance. These songs were the motivations nto impress the audience and support the Likay performance to be more fascinating. The presentations of Luk Thung songs in these three forms were resulted from social and period changes that mained on the audience who desired to experience something new and to be delighted by the combination of pleasure and enjoyment in the classic Likay performance.