Beez Neez now Chy Whella

Al's Finale

Big Bear and Pepe Millard

Sun 29 Jan 2017 23:57

Siam Niramit Show

Our finale to Al’s visit was to take him to see Siam Niramit. Welcomed by a couple of dancers.

We had time to look in the various souvenir shops and take in the statues.

The site is vast, out back was a water feature, some cast members including two elephants.

Bear was very taken with the lift and asked us to pose. Then we rode to the second floor.

A vast dining room.

We enjoyed a beautifully presented buffet from Thailand, China, India and a few western dishes.

Al and me pose with our tiny plastic cup and an even tinier piece of chocolate fudge cake.

We left the dining room to stand in awe, watching a lady carve fruit and vegetables, the watermelon was a work of art.

Pre-show entertainment included Thai boxing, a baby elephant whizzing a hoola-hoop and a water feature show.

The finale was the Elephant Warrior procession.

During the show we were not allowed to take pictures but here are some from the internet advertising.

Taken from the Souvenir Booklet:

Stage Dimensions: The Siam Niramit proscenium at 12 metres, is the world’s highest. The panoramic stage, at 65 metres wide by 40 metres deep, is one of the world’s largest.

Scenery: Siam Niramit incorporates over 100 set-pieces, many of which are over 12 metres high..... This makes it possible to stage elaborate scenes, creating a genuine sense of realism.

Costumes: Over 500 elaborate costumes are used, most of them derived from paintings from the appropriate eras in Thai History:

Performers: the 150-strong cast will hold the audiences attention throughout the 80 minute show.

Technical and Special Effects: Siam Niramit uses state-of-the-art lighting, sound and projection equipment to immerse the audience in the events unfolding around them.

Impressive special effects throughout the show will amaze the audience: 12 angels float gracefully through the air in the heaven scene. Krathongs (look like a birthday cake with a candle made in a flower wreath) are floated on the on-stage lake (including the baby elephant who bimbles on stage and places his to float away before giving a cross legged curtsy........that was a real Arrrr moment). Ultra-realistic rain, thunder and lightning. Rice fields which change colour with the seasons.

Cultural Value: Whilst using the most modern technology. Siam Niramit retains cultural fidelity at its core. The way in which Thai history, arts culture and traditions are presented will set new standards for cultural presentations for all nations of the world.

A bold final statement but a very true one – this show was as Alex put it “amazingly spectacular”. My favourite bits were when two goats walked in on leads but a small flock was chased through the crowded stage. Four roosters raced across and a water buffalo and cart was led through. The fact that the whole thing began with drummers had me from the start and the finale with the baby elephant............WOW.