Restive Souls Stage Play by Stephan Turner

November 27 - November 29

The Gate Theatre is putting on some powerful plays this high season

Get your ticket for The Gate Theatre’s upcoming plays

“Since our very first production 19 years ago at the AUA Language School, The Gate Theater has established itself as the leading English-language community theater in Chiang Mai, renowned for staging ambitious, award-winning, and socially relevant productions like The Laramie Project and The Exonerated. Driven entirely by volunteers, we are more than just a theater—we are a dynamic cultural hub for locals and expats alike,” says Stephan Turner, founder of The Gate The Gate Theater. “After the pandemic closed our home at Kad Suan Kaew, we have, in a sense, returned to our original beginnings, entering our 19th season this year. The year 2026 will mark our 20th anniversary of bringing vital English-language theater to Chiang Mai. Our next step is to secure a permanent theater space in the city to expand our mission of theatrical education, artistic excellence, and cultural exchange for the entire Northern Thailand community. Also in the plan is to stage our second Chiang Mai Fringe Festival hopefully in 2026.” “First, we are thrilled to report on the recent success of our production of D.L. Coburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, The Gin Game, which recently completed a run at the

West Side Leadership Academy in the U.S. The production was met with great acclaim, and we are proud of the cast and crew for their incredible work. The play, a powerful two-hander about two residents of a nursing home who use a game of gin rummy as a metaphor for their lives, resonated deeply with audiences. The Chicago Tribune noted the raw, unfiltered essence of the play, with one review praising its ability to be both “fiercely funny” and a “vibrant study on loneliness, disillusion, old age and death.” We are delighted to see the play receive such a positive reception. As to theatre closer afield, there will be a production of Restive Souls a play written and directed by Stephan himself this coming 27th and 28th November.

Restivec souls is a haunting docudrama exposing modern day slavery. The production premiered in Chiang Mai this past July and is back as part of the annual Access To Justice Week Initiative sponsored by BABSEACLE Foundation and Legal House. Prepare for a powerful and unsettling experience. This isn’t just a play; it’s a stark and unflinching expose of the insidious horrors of modern slavery that continue to plague our world. Restive Souls plunges audiences into the harrowing investigation led by Detective Max Soto, whose tireless work unveils

the raw and deeply personal stories of five courageous survivors. These individuals, once trapped in the nightmarish grip of forced labour and sexual exploitation, bravely share their truths, allowing their voices to resonate with an urgency that demands attention. Please note: This production is intended for adult audiences due to its mature themes, explicit situations, and strong language. Parental guidance is recommended.

Next up will be The Cagebirds which will be held at Fellowship Café on the 13th and 14th December.

The Cagebirds by David Compton, promises to be a captivating play directed by Claire Gordon. The play is an extraordinary allegory that blurs the lines between “room” and “cage,” and “people” and “captive birds.” It tells the story of six women living in a locked room, each absorbed in their own petty interests, until a “Wild One” is introduced who speaks of freedom. The play is a powerful and unsettling exploration of how people can become so comfortable in their confinement that they turn on anyone who threatens their security.

With no clear dates yet, January promises to bring The Gin Game back to Chiang Mai following its successful US run.

This Pulitzer Prize-winning play, uses a seemingly simple card game to reveal the laughter, tears, and bittersweet realities of two individuals’ lives. It’s a poignant and often hilarious look at the human experience and a must-see production. This modern American classic is a moving, and heart-wrenching story about two people looking back on their long lives. Set against the backdrop of a dusty, run-down, Midwestern nursing home, the story unfolds over game after game of gin. As the games intensify, Fonsia and Weller come to grips with what is left of their lives, reveal secrets, regrets, and hopes – and sometimes those revelations become weapons. Weller longs for a victory – after a lifetime of defeats, and Fonsia realises she may be to blame for her own loneliness. So there you go! If you love good theatre The Gate is the place for you.

Tel: +66 (0)87 177 2195 www.gate-theater.com www.facebook.com//TheGateTheater