“Live at the Scala” is a ground-breaking event that presented a diverse range of performing arts including other artistic works such as live videos and installations under a ‘cinema’ theme. The performances were created by a renowned group of artists from UK, Forest Fringe, together with Thai artists which are B-Floor and Messy Project Space taking place at Bangkok’s most classic cinema – “The Scala” during 7 – 9 February 2013. Scala cinema was built in late 1960s and is located in the heart of the city. The 1,000-seat cinema is famous for its vintage architecture that meticulously combined western and eastern styles.
Andy Field, Forest Fringe Co-founder who served as a show director aimed to include both highly acclaimed works that have toured the world and some completely new pieces made in response to the remarkable building of Scala cinema.
The night started off with ‘A Western’ by Action Hero while ‘Hold My Hands and We are Half Way There’, a durational dancing marathon by Brian Lobel was on stage at the opening and so it was the finale show. Other performances were scheduled for the rest of the night in various venues throughout the cinema building; “Jarideh” by Tania El Khoury, “Kissing Booth” by Nana Dakin from B-Floor Theatre, “(In) Sensitivity” by Dujdao Vadhanapakorn Boonyai from B-Floor Theatre, “Live Long and Prosper” by Gob Squad, video installation by Richard DeDomenici, “Cinema & Space: Extracting the Unrecognised” by Messy Sky Magazine, “Installation on the Marquee” by Tim Etchells, and “Echo: The Nymph” by Dickie Beau.
This event was extended beyond traditional theatrical performance, the audiences were given an opportunity not simply to see a range of works but also to explore the building, and enjoy a fascinating and subversive celebration of cinema, live performance and the Scala itself.