Hunchback Yubon: hunchback lady character in I-Nao Classical Drama

Abstract

The purposes of this article were to present the historyand to analyse the choreography of the Yubon hunchback lady character in Thai classical dramatic arts in the I-Nao epic. The research methods included studying related documents, interviewing some experts as well as the play I-Nao of King Rama II. The result of this research revealed that hunchback Yubon, who served Budsabaa, was uniquely different compared to other servants. Yubon lacked responsibility and problem solving skills; on the other hand, she was a woman of her word to I-Nao. There are crucial elements including performers, costumes, plays, instruments, stage sets. For the techniques of performing as hunchback Yubon, the performers should have good dance skills, good wits, fluent speaking, and well-grounded knowledge in Thai classical dance-drama. This is because the story of hunchback Yubon requires unusual performing techniques to imitate the hunchback manner, to interpret the dance style to perform the character properly and to make the performance outstanding.