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A Creative Sanctuary for Phuket’s Jobless Entertainers
Junkyard Theatre, in Phuket, Thailand’s tourist mecca, is a cross-cultural version of Thai vaudeville with a unique difference—its smiling young Thai performers were former jobless break dancers, buskers, and traditional Thai dancers in the tourist town of Patong; during COVID-19.
When the opportunity arose to use their skills to help develop Junkyard Theatre into a tourist attraction with a difference, the Thai artists jumped at the chance.
A Unique Blend of Tradition and Innovation
Junkyard Theatre’s Saturday night two-hour dinner shows feature Thai and some foreign performers acting, dancing, break dancing (B-Boying), and singing their way through a nonstop array of skits laced with an irreverent take on some Thai sacred cows. Props are made almost exclusively from recycled materials collected from the beaches, roadsides, and backyard junk shops of Phuket.
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The cabaret-style dinner show is in true vaudeville tradition (a series of individual acts featuring singers, acrobats, comedians, and dancers) — with a uniquely Thai twist. The skits—some of which are in the best traditions of burlesque–include break dancing inside a boxing ring simulating Muay Thai boxing; mildly satirical takes on Ladyboys, airlines (Junk Air), the famous Thai cuisine, Elvis (Filippino singer), Thai language (banana=Prik), and plastic surgery (Dr. Botox).
Skits and Performances: A Glimpse into Thai Culture
Other skits feature a fire-breathing Chinese dragon and a giant ballerina; singing puppets made from old socks and disused boots called Sheilah and Boot Boys; a spoof of the movie Thaitanic, called here (naturally) “Thai Thanic,” with a Thai singer looking decidedly not like Kate Winslet; a faux foreigner wedding on the beach; kinetic art magic involving a headless person; a slightly raunchy Thai massage scene, and a pretend Patong nightclub.
The show is performed by a troupe of Thais of all ages, whose futures looked grim during COVID-19, which devasted the tourist-reliant Phuket economy. They were among thousands of jobless workers in hotels, clubs, restaurants, and entertainment venues. Some ended up break dancing and busking on the crowded streets of Patong.
The Birth of Junkyard Theatre: A Silver Lining
During COVID-19, John Underwood and his son Zac, owners of the art fabricator company Underwood Art Factory, kept on their 50 craftsmen and women despite a huge downturn in the hospitality industry, which they service with their innovative designs. They reversed the COVID-19 trend by employing more people and started Junkyard Theatre.
Performers like Zad (his nickname; most Thais have nicknames because of their unusually long given names) from Uttaradit, a town in Thailand’s poor north, who was break dancing and basking on Patong’s streets three years ago. Ying is a freelance Thai classical dancer from Phuket who studied performance arts management.
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Personal Stories: From the Streets to the Stage
Biw, from Nakhon Si Tamarind, a northern province, is a Thai dance and ballet teacher who went from selling shirts in a department store to dancing around the stage in colourful costumes.
Bird from Nong Kbai, in the poor rice-growing area of Isaan, previously danced at a Patong nightclub deep into the night and then break-danced on the streets during the day.
Performing at Junkyard Theatres has given all the Thai artists newfound confidence. They were initially typically shy about meeting new people and performing in front of a large audience. Now, they talk of being more creative and willing to break out of their comfort zones.
Says Ying: “It (Junkyard) has opened up my heart and mind.”
And Sad: “My family is happy I am working at Junkyard Theatre. Before, they worried about me living off tips from break dancing. Now they are not worried.”
An Artistic Vision Rooted in Sustainability
Today, most of the props in the show—a “Thai Thanic” from timber off the beach and 30-year-old boots, to name a few—are recycled materials. Guests can enjoy multiple courses of delicious Thai cuisine in air-conditioned comfort every Saturday night.
Don’t be fooled by the name Junkyard Theatre. John Underwood deliberately chose it to highlight his love of finding junk anywhere and everywhere in Phuket and transforming it into props, kinetic art, and sculptures.
Says John: “If it’s old and I don’t want it, I just put it on a shelf. The value is not the reason I collect junk. It’s fun.”
Zac, a graduate of London’s prestigious Central Saint Martin’s College of Art, says, “We don’t care about being too perfect. By recycling junk, we are making something of value to the community.”
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American billionaire Bill Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International Plc, a worldwide Thai hospitality group, is a big fan of the recycling philosophy.
He says: “We have always admired how John and Zac are committed to recycling. They have done an incredible job creating Junkyard Theatre, which is one of the ‘must-see’ attractions on Phuket.” Mr Heinecke has seen the show several times.
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Behind the Scenes: The Magic of Junkyard Theatre
Behind the scenes, a talented farang (foreigner) man named” Mango” makes all the lighting and sound work. He voices and has written amusing ditties for Sheilah and the Boot Boys, a kinetic sculpture of old boots, socks, aged wood, and rusty metal with discarded Elton John-sized spectacles designed by John Underwood, who notes: “I pulled those old boots from a bucket.”
The idea of contributing to preserving precious resources and employing young Thais to do what they love every week fulfills John Underwood’s vision of presenting the millions of visitors to Phuket each year with the choice of a show still rooted in Thai culture–but with an irreverent tone—as an alternative to the traditional Thai cultural experience tourists are also free to enjoy.
Junkyard Theatre Information
- Address: Junkyard Theatre, 49/6 Moo. 5, ChalermphrakiatRor 9 Road, Rasada, Muang Phuket, Phuket, Thailand. 83000.
- Hours: 7 pm—10 pm on Saturdays.
- Price and Inclusions: Adult: Baht2500 (approximately USD$70). The price includes a three-course Thai dinner and a welcome drink.
- Bookings: Email: [email protected]. Mobile: +66 (0) 61 174 3716
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Author Bio: I am a former New Zealand political newspaper and broadcasting journalist, corporate communications manager (TVNZ, Air New Zealand, Star Alliance), author of three published novels (Amazon), a commissioned memoir, academic books on Asia/Pacific journalism and politics; illustrator, and caricaturist. I have lived and worked in Thailand for 24 years.
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This post highlights the incredible creativity of performers at Junkyard Theatre, transforming challenges into art. It reminds me of Thamel in Nepal, where local talent flourishes amid the complexities of tourism, including sex tourism. Both places celebrate unique cultural expressions and support local artists in their journeys