Sovannahong

Sam Savin (in green) and the King (Sam Limsothea) receive a garland from Preahm Keth (Chen Chansoda)

Tonight saw the first-ever fully staged production of Sovannahong, a classical love story told in royal Cambodian court dance and music, at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall next to the river. The original dance was initiated in 1955 but never completed and was resurrected by HRH Princess Buppha Devi, herself a former leading dancer, with help from sponsors, Amrita Performing Arts and the dancers and musicians of the Secondary School of Fine Arts. Included amongst the dancers was my friend Sam Savin, one of the company's principal dancers and who played the part of Sovannahong's mother in tonight's performance. With a story that includes giants, magic spells, murder, betrayal and unrequited love, it had all the usual ingredients of a classical Cambodian dance, played out by the leading exponents of the art currently performing in Cambodia. The audience contained the great and the good of the performing arts including the Princess and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy this rare revived slice of traditional Cambodia.

The cast take their bow for this team photo at the end of the performance

Sam Savin (in green) enjoys the comraderie of her fellow performers