The popular annual performance by Chiang Mai Ballet returns to the stage this weekend and its artistic director ML Preeyapun Sridhavat is confident that it will delight audiences.

“This year, we’ve received strong support from Thai Airways International, Government Lottery Office, S&P Syndicate and Australian Teachers of Dancing (ATOD) Children and Youth Development Association, and the opening act will be ‘Tha sathit nai duangchai Thai niran’ or ‘A Tribute to our Beloved His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’,” ML Preeyapun tells XP.

This is a five-minute contemporary ballet set to His Majesty’s song ‘Sai Fon’ (‘Falling Rain’).”

She continues, “In this performance, nine dancers, in white and silver costumes, will express

through their movements how we’re indebted to the late King’s royal grace, which was indeed like the song we chose ‘Falling Rain’, also an example of His Majesty’s numerous contribution to Thai arts.”

The mood will then shift to classical ballet as excerpts from one of our favourites “The Sleeping beauty” will be staged.

ML Preeyapun explains, “In this 30-minute performance, we’ll only showcase two highlights for which our dancers have won awards from international dance competitions. They are ‘The Chistening’ from the first act with six Lilac fairies and ‘Princess Aurora and Prince Ferdinand in Grand Pas de Deux’ from the fourth act, with award-winning dancers Chatnapha Kittiratanaphaiboon and Chana-karn Panpijit.”

Later in the performance, a few hundred dancers will take part in “Aladdin”, in which various styles |of dance will be showcased – a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

ML Preeyapun adds, “This is a revival of our production from seven years ago, and in the title role is Napatachanatorn Letterapong, a member of Bangkok City Ballet who’s won top prizes for contemporary dance from all the international competitions he’s participated in.”

And as this academy’s prize display cupboards continue to overfilled, the rest of the main cast’s prowess is also guaranteed by awards. Hannah Staton portrays Princess Jasmine, and as Aladdin’s Monkey is Timrin Wing Holmes while Sasipim Wattanachet portrays Carabosse.

On top of an opportunity to watch the grandest dance production outside Bangkok, proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Chalermprakiat School in Lamphun province under the patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

MAGIC IN THE NORTH

– Chiang Mai Ballet’s “A Tribute to our Beloved His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej”, “The Sleep-ing Beauty” and “Aladdin” are at Kad Theatre in the northern capital on Sunday at noon and 3:30pm.

– Tickets cost from Bt300 to Bt1,000 at Kad Suan Kaew Shopping Complex’s information counter and by calling (081) 951 0665.