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116 ลิิเกออนไลิน์ : การแสดงเพื่่�อความอยู่่�รอด

Abstract: Likay Online : Performance for survival
Associate Professor Dr. Anukoon Rotjanasuksomboon
Associate Fellow of the Academy of Arts,
The Royal Society of Thailand
Likay (Thai musical folk drama) is a folk performing arts. The performers
require their capability to sing and dance along with the gamelan, negotiate,
tell stories, and communicate to the audience to understand. Likay is a science
and art defined from generations according to family and kinship systems.
Performers rely on the knowledge of observing, memorizing, and solving

immediate situations on stage. Knowing the tactics of acting to be attractive and
able to please the audience means earning money for the survival of the group
and the Likay artists. Currently, the outbreak of the COVID–19 pandemic has
greatly affected the performance of Likay in the profession. Therefore, the author
is interested in an exploratory study of Likay performance during the COVID–19
situation. From December 2020–February 2021.
It was found that the Likay show changed the format of the show from

the original stage show to an online live show via Facebook Live and that there
were four groups of the Likay troupe with an audience of 1,000 or more at a
time namely 1. Sonram Namphet 2. Phrathep Pornthawee 3. Adithep Farung
and 4. Likay Bin Dai Nong Nai Khiang Fa. They performed in a closed location,
did not disclose information, and did not allow the audience to see the actual
performance, following safety measures of preventing the COVID–19 epidemic,
Some of them asked for permission from the local authorities to organize a show
with a limited number of performers and the audience. The results of the study
show that Likay artists were keen to learn the basics of communication technology

to survive in performing arts and selling products online to generate income for
themselves and their families. Interestingly, it was found that the audience
outnumbered that of the pre–epidemic live performances. The audience's access
to the actors is private, close with online communication, and a group of fans
are constantly following the work. This is a good opportunity for artists to adapt
to learn technology and inherit the art of Likay performance forever.

Keywords: online Likay, wit, survival, COVID–19 situation