Damage Joy

‘Damage Joy’ invites audiences into a dark fantasy / fairy tale world where they will meet 4 characters who like to hurt each other and destroy things for fun. The show was inspired by the German word "shadenfreude," which is used to specifically describe the kind of joy you feel when you see someone slip and fall on a banana peel, or if you saw a bride fall into a pond at her wedding. It's taking pleasure in the misfortune, or sometimes the pain, of others. Slapstick comedy is another example of this. Why is it funny to see someone being hit on the head with a bat?

The performance explores what our tolerance for violence and cruelty is in society. If we're laughing at the damage or cruelty done to other people, that must mean it's acceptable. So the question is, at one point, and under what circumstances, do we stop laughing?

(Excerpt from DAMAGE JOY) Inspired by the German word schadenfreude (pleasure derived from the misfortune of others), DAMAGE JOY invites you to enter a dark circus world, where 4 delightfully wicked characters hurt each other and destroy things for fun. It’s all very amusing, until you decide it’s not funny anymore. In this participatory theatre experience audiences are given flags to wave if they want the action on stage to stop... but the action will only stop if everyone waves their flags at the same time. Directed by: Nana Dakin Performed by: Sumontha Suanpholrat, Nuttapol Kummata, Sasapin Siriwanij and Vidura Amranand Set & Costume Design by: Paron Mead Lighting Design by: Tawit Keitprapai Sound Design by: Pornchanok Kanchanabanca Music: "Tea for Two" (Vincent Youmans) performed by Andre Rieu Produced by B-Floor Theatre, Bangkok, Thailand VDO Editor: Chalat Siriwanij