Changes in space, place and the role of Thai Classical Puppet Theater “Joe Louis”

Abstract

The purpose of this article aims to analyze the Changes in space, place and the role of Thai Classical Puppet Theater “Joe Louis” in relation to distance, culture and identity. The objectives are 1) the role of Joe Louis Puppet Theatre nowadays. 2) Changes in space, place, distance and mapping of Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. The results found that the traditional Thai Small Puppets used to be a mass performance which open to the public and performed widely all around the country evidenced in historical records regarding the employment of puppet performances as major entertainment on various occasions. Nowadays, Joe Louis Puppet Theatre has changed from a mass performance to a specialized performance in a special occasion (especially international level) in order to show national’s heritage. There are changes in distance of the performance of Joe Louis Puppet Theatre that is getting more into a combination of social and personal distance. The puppet troupe adapted themselves to the changing society in order to serve the urban people’s culture by decreasing their space and boundaries more into a local performance. Changes in economic and social interaction are directly affected the puppet troupe. Joe Louis Puppet Theatre maintaining their identity in their connection with the song, arts and dance through the place which is a restaurant. A specialized performance has been formed to serve people in a special occasion. At present, some adjustment was made. The performances the theatre offered became more modern, as their clientele are primarily tourists, and the style of the shows was adjusted in terms of the contents of the show that is separated into short episodes.