PHNOM PENH — Keo Vattanak is studying Lakhon Bassac theater at the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh. 

Although he has only been attending the school for a little more than a month, he already can perform several characters including the king’s son. As he explained, he prefers roles such as Asura (a mythical being) than those requiring to express fury. 

“I find aggressive characters challenging as they require using a lot of rude language,” said the 12-year-old student. 

Vattanak was one of the 160 children and young adults who performed Lakhon Bassac on Dec. 31 during the Celebrating Cambodia event that was held in Phnom Penh on New Year’s Eve until the countdown to midnight and the start of 2025 . 

As Sek Savuth, a Lakhon Bassac teacher at the Secondary School of Fine Arts, explained on Dec. 27 during the final rehearsal before the event , most of the students have been training for a year although some of them just started at the school a few months ago.

“Mastering this dance involves many challenges, particularly with many dancers in the performance as they have to be in line with each other,” Savuth said. “However, such a challenge is a normal step to achieve excellence in all performing arts and sectors.” 

While Vattanak was among those who had just started attending Secondary School of Fine Arts, Lakhon Bassac theater was far from new to him. He was born in a family who has run a Lakhon Bassac theater company for generations in Kampong Cham province, he said, adding that he has been accompanying his family to most performances since he was a kid. 

“My family initially encouraged me to learn this traditional theater,” Vattanak said. “Over time, I became more connected to it and enjoyed it.”

Today, he means to maintain the family tradition. “This is our ancestral legacy, so I have to learn and preserve it,” Vattanak said. “I am determined to develop my skills and master this as I intend to lead a Lakhon Bassac theater group in the future.” 

In Lakhaon Bassac theater, traditional stories or legends are told through acting, singing, dance, acrobatics and fighting, this done in elaborate costumes and make-up while musicians play. It is usually performed in the evening and at festivals or special events.
 

Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this story was translated by Rin Ousa for Cambodianess.