Local community theatre group the Phnom Penh Players have taken the stage once again with a new production titled Grave Affair Ft. Running on Empty & Casket for Two, which they are performing at Java Creative Cafe in Tuol Tom Puong on Friday and Saturday June 10-11.

Proceeds from the sale of tickets to the show will go to benefit the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO).

The Phnom Penh Players are an informal group of likeminded thespians who enjoy putting on theatrical productions for the community while also raising money for charitable causes.

“We are the only community drama or theatre group based in Phnom Penh. We put on several performances a year to raise money for good causes locally, including our annual Christmas Panto each December,” says Maria LaFollette-Bruno, an assistant producer and co-stage manager for the Players’ latest show.

The Phnom Penh Players was founded by Vicky Rogers in 1992 with the dual missions of entertaining and helping the community. They staged six plays during their first two years of existence, including comedies by Anton Chekhov and Noel Coward.

“It’s been hard over the past few years to hold shows, but to COVID-19, we tried to put on between 4 – 6 plays per year. This year we hope to do another two,” says Grave Affairs director Matt Thomas.

Hiratsuka Nikki in Grave Affair: Running on Empty. KOL KIMCHHAY

One of the Players’ earliest productions, Table Manners by Alan Ayckbourn, went to Saigon for two nights. Back then the productions generally came in the form of dinner theatre, with tickets going for about $20 but including a meal, says Emily Marquis, a long-time member of the group.

“The Phnom Penh Players started supporting charities almost from the beginning. This year is our 30th anniversary as a group and we remain just as committed to Vicki Rogers’ vision as ever,” says Marquis.

As with all Phnom Penh Players productions, all proceeds from their shows go to local charities and NGO’s selected by the cast and crew of each play every year. The proceeds from tickets to Grave Affair will go to TPO Cambodia.

TPO Cambodia is a unique organisation, offering a wide range of mental health services and projects for Cambodian communities, including but not limited to: Community mental health services and clinics, justice and relief for victims of the Khmer Rouge, international research projects and psychosocial rehabilitation.

Matt Thomas – director of Grave Affair Ft Casket for Two & Running on Empty. KOL KIMCHHAY

So far this year the Players’ fundraising efforts have gone to support the Rainbow Community Kampuchea Organization (ROCK) and TPO. Last year they gave to the Cambodia Centre for Human Rights (CCHR) and Women Behind Bars, which are a part of LICADHO.

“Usually when choosing, we pick not-for-profit charities that focus on local culture and life here in Cambodia, including charities for protection of animals. For this show we decided to choose TPO as they are working hard to change perceptions about mental health and mental illness here in Cambodia and they are supporting so many local people in the process,” Thomas says.

Grave Affair actually consists of two short plays – Running on Empty and Casket for Two – both written by Jean-Pierre Martinez and translated into English by Anne-Christine Gasc.

Casket for Two is set at the Birdseye Funeral Home on election day. Two rival candidates running in the election are, coincidentally, both cremating their respective spouses that day, with the whole thing overseen by the funeral director and his brand new temp worker.

Running on Empty is about a young lady who claims to be a journalist from an obscure web magazine when she visits an author who is searching for some new spark of inspiration and it turns out both characters are desperate to relaunch their struggling careers.

Both plays are dark comedies with surprising twists and turns to keep the audience on the edge of their seats throughout.

TPO Cambodia provides mental health care training to staff and partnered NGOs in Kampot in March, 2022. TPO FACEBOOK

At a recent rehearsal of Casket for Two there was laughter throughout as the performances managed to elicit guffaws from offstage actors and crew members despite their having seen it numerous times at this point. The actors and actresses embody their characters well and perform the scenes smoothly and it was all thoroughly entertaining.

“This play will honestly make you laugh and cry, with so many unexpected moments that will have you howling,” says Thomas.

The members of the Players’ come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Though they do audition people for specific roles, they don’t have any requirements for people to join as long as they are willing to help out in some way.

“We have a few members who are trained actors, a few that have been in numerous Players’ shows but not much besides that and we have a few newbies also, so it’s a really great mix and a learning experience for all,” Thomas continues. “Our audience is mainly expats who enjoy the theatre but we have been trying to reach out more to Khmer locals. Some of our audience is always Khmer and we are trying to encourage them to get involved and join our group.”

When they are deciding on who gets what role in a production, the Phnom Penh Players always do open casting calls and they will consider anyone from anywhere and audition them all fairly while looking for the perfect person, someone whose performance brings the character to life.

TPO Cambodia training the staff of the Krousar Thmey Foundation from Siem Reap, Poi Pet, Kampong Cham, Kandal and Phnom Penh. TPO FACEBOOK

“With modern life and most audience members being able to access streaming and internet, a lot of people are more open to western comedies and dramas. They understand and maybe can relate to a certain extent, but the Players always want to try and create a better community for everyone here and we are always willing to listen to fresh and unique ideas,” says Matt Thomas.

The Players’ are always looking for more actors, set builders, musicians, fundraisers, costume-makers and stage crew. If you are interested in becoming involved as a member or sponsor of the Phnom Penh Players – their answer is likely yes and please contact them at: [email protected]

Tickets for the upcoming performances are $10 and are available exclusively through the Phnom Penh Players’ Facebook page: @PhnomPenhPlayers

Java Creative Cafe is located at Street 468 in Toul Tom Poung I. The remaining shows are on June 10 at 7pm and June 11 at 1:30pm and 7pm.