Abstract

This is a qualitative investigation to create a cross-cultural English language mor lam folk show based on “Khulu Nang Ua” for foreign audiences. Due to its popularity in the Isan region, the researchers translated the literature of “Khulu Nang Ua” to create a play in the English language, allowing foreigners to understand the essence and aesthetics of Isan literature. The themes are predominantly about love and are similar to well-known Western tales, such as “Romeo and Juliet.” A performance of the mor lam show was held and unstructured interviews were conducted with informants after the performance to determine their reaction. Results show that the audience regarded the show as “stunningly beautiful” and a unique reflection of Thai culture. The interviewees indicated that an English language script enhanced their enjoyment of the performance, although clarity of speech needed improvement. The majority of respondents recognized similarities between “Khulu Nang Ua” and “Romeo and Juliet.”