Thailand's Opera Siam (formerly Bangkok Opera) performs in the UK in September, in recognition of connections between the two countries, with the European Premiere of Thai Ghost Opera Mae Naak. Opera Siam (the rebranded incarnation of Bangkok Opera) present the Thai Ghost Opera Mae Naak composed by Somtow Sucharitkul. This macabre story is set in a Siamese village replete with grand guignol effects and haunting melodies. The European Premiere of Mae Naak is at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London 14-17 September. Mae Naak, Thailand's scariest femme fatale, has been frightening children for a century or so and is one of the most widely disseminated folk-legends in the country, having been the subject of a good dozen films, television shows and novelisations. The title role was created for, and will be performed in London by Nancy Yuen. This will be the first time one of Somtow’s operas has been seen in the UK. Mae Naak is his most popular opera, an exotic blend of post-romanticism and Thai folk music, with touches of dark satire. Previously staged in 2003 and 2005, this 2011 update will be redirected by Stefan Sanchez and conducted by the brilliant young conductor, Trisdee na Patalung. FULL DETAILS of the Opera Siam UK TOUR