Savin in all her glory

Sam Savin in all her regal glory

These photos were taken after the classical dance performance of Vong Sovann Chann Savat had ended to loud applause at the Chaktomuk Theatre on Saturday evening. UNESCO, who proclaimed the Royal Ballet of Cambodia as a masterpiece of oral and intangible heritage of humanity in 2003, were instrumental in reviving this classical dance drama. My photos don't do the work or the performers justice as I've come to realize that my Sony cyber-shot digital camera simply isn't good enough for theatre pictures indoors, so apologies for the quality. Nevertheless, it was great to see my friend Sam Savin performing the lead role of princess Tep Sokun - she's been dancing since she was twelve, she's now 29 and has performed abroad many times in major performances and tours such as Dance: The Spirit of Cambodia, Seasons of Migration, she starred as Pamina Devi in the dance of the same name and countless other productions. When she's not dancing, which is rare, she teaches dance at the Royal University of Fine Arts. Chaktomuk was full to bursting for the performance with invited guests and just a handful of barangs on view - I had intended to gripe here about the lack of publicity for the event but if its a full-house then their view is that PR isn't necessary. However, one-off performances like this don't allow a wider audience to view this important artistic display of Cambodia's culture and whilst I'm not advocating a run of shows such as Where Elephants Weep enjoyed, at least two or three performances would give others a chance to experience the grace and beauty of the show. A bonus point was the colour programme, which gave an easy-to-follow summary of the drama, which enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the work, and other details in both English and Khmer.

The cast take their bow at the end of the performance

The principal dancers await their bouquet of flowers from the dignitaries

Sam Savin is all smiles as she receives her bouquet

Savin and Sam Limsothea as Prince Vong Sovann, pose after the final whistle

The young lady with the magic bow is Prasith Vichheka

Keo Phirum played the part of Prince Chann Savat, brother of Vong Sovann

Savin is all smiles after the performance

Savin with her sister and members of her family

Sam Savin - one of Cambodia's leading Royal Ballet performers

Classical escapism

Sam Savin and your ballet reporter after tonight's performance

Tonight's classical dance drama, Vong Sovann Chann Savat, staged at Chaktomuk Theatre with the support of UNESCO, was another of those traditional stories in the classical dance repertory replete with a prince and princess, their love story, a battle and a happy ending, gorgeous costumes, a full pinpeat orchestra with singers and a full house of invited guests. I got a good seat as I knew one of the principal dancers, Sam Savin, who played the lead part of the princess, Tep Sokun, wooed by the prince, who had transformed himself into a seductive songbird to win her heart. Yes, you have to suspend belief for the hour-long performance but that's why Cambodians love the classical theatre, for its beauty, its drama and its escapism. Savin was resplendent in her bodice, sampot and head-dress known as a mkot, as were her fellow performers, all twenty of them. I recognised a couple of the dancers from previous performances I'd attended including Sam Limsothea, who played the prince Vong Sovann, as well as Prasith Vichheka, who was the beauty with a magic bow. I caught up with Savin and members of her family after the show for a quick chat and found out that the cast had rehearsed for tonight's performance for the last two months, and tomorrow, she's off to Siem Reap to perform at Angkor Wat amongst her ultra-busy schedule of performances.

Savin as Princess Tep Sokun leads her six servants in dance

It was during this dance sequence that the prince saw the princess for the first time

Savin in full flight as she glides around the stage

Full of grace and poise, Savin is a master performer of classical court dance

Tep Sokun's father, the Giant reacts badly to news of his daughter's new-found love

Soldiers of the Giant's army

LtoR: Magic Bow, Princess Tep Sokun, Prince Vong Sovann & Prince Chann Savat

The two lovers, Tep Sokun and Vong Sovann (played by Sam Limsothea)

This is the closing scene from the classical dance drama