How can you move people to laughter, tears, and wonder without uttering a single word? More than you might expect.
“It was cute and funny.”
“The show was amazing, very cheerful. It lifted our mood.”
“We haven’t laughed like this for such a long time.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this before. It was deep. At one point, someone was crying!”
These aren’t scripted testimonials—they’re genuine reactions from audience members at last year’s Silent Theatre Festival.
The inaugural 2024 Silent Theatre Festival, organized by Lisa Sripattanasakul’s “House of Mask & Mine,” was a resounding success, captivating enthusiasts of all ages, both Thai and international.
This small-scale event aimed to showcase the power of non-verbal performing arts, creating a unique experience accessible to families and individuals alike.
Lisa’s passion drives the festival. She believes that speechless performances possess a profound ability to communicate deeply, transcending language barriers.
This art form challenges artists to push creative boundaries, relying on imagination and physical expression to connect with audiences worldwide.
The “House of Mask & Mime” not only hosts international artists but has also been invited to perform in France, China, Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia, with plans for further international performances.
The festival highlights the captivating blend of mask theatre, pantomime, and physical theatre.
This fusion creates powerful, emotionally resonant performances that connect audiences on a visceral level, revealing the magic of expressive silence.
The first year featured three shows in a single day, including a performance by “House of Mask & Mime,” all of which received enthusiastic feedback.
Notably, two young women remarked that they laughed louder than the children in the audience.
Building on this success, the 2025 Silent Theatre Festival is being expanded to two days, May 17 and 18, featuring five diverse shows from Thailand and abroad at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre.
The festival program is as follows:
- Untold Stories (5-6.30pm), directed and performed by Silent Rocco
- Experience emotions as tangible masks, digital screens that consume, shared heartbeats, and water leading to other worlds. Silent Rocco transforms the stage into a dreamscape, creating unforgettable stories through mime.
- Saw Sing Swing (7-8pm), directed by Kwin Bhichitkul
- A physical theatre piece inspired by object movement, reflecting life’s key stages. The performance is structured into four short movement pieces, accompanied by original music from renowned Thai composers (AUTTA, Pingpong Sirasak, Stoondio, K.Aglet, Tao Parama and Jirayu Pranee).
- House of Mask & Mime (4-5pm), directed by Kazumi Ishigami
- A blend of masks, mime, clowning, and dance, offering a vibrant and emotionally rich 60-minute experience.
- Something Stupid (1-2pm), directed and performed by Lisa Sripattanasakul
- A solo performance combining mime, clowning, masks, and music, delivering humor and heartwarming moments beyond language.
- What if Grandma is a Spy? (2.30-3.30pm), directed and performed by House of Mad and Monkey!
- A mask performance about grandchildren uncovering their mysterious grandma’s secrets, blending mime and mask techniques in a fresh, energetic style. The festival takes place on May-17 and 18 in the Studio Room of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. Tickets cost Bt450.
In addition to the performances, the festival offers two workshops at People of Ari White Box: Modern Mime by Silent Rocco (May 19-20, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM) Limited to 40 participants.
Performance Making by House of Mask & Mime (May 21-22, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM)
Limited to 40 participants.
For ticket bookings and workshop registration, please visit www.silenttheatrefestival.com or Facebook: houseofmaskandmine.
