Sophiline Arts Ensemble

Growing up under the Khmer Rouge regime, classical dance was the only form of escape for Sophiline Cheam Shapiro. Destined to dance, once peace came, she studied the traditional art at the Royal University of Arts under a surviving dancer, who was only one of a handful still practising. After moving to America, she returned to her homeland to set up Sophiline Arts Ensemble – a classical dance and music company that develop ground-breaking choreography, sets, costumes and performances. After taking her shows across the globe, Cheam Shapiro scooped a host of awards for her work. Performances take place in Phnom Penh throughout the year.

While preserving traditional arts has been the emphasis for many organisations, embracing the future is the focus of Phnom Penh-based Amrita Performing Arts. Launched in 2003, their aim is to take Cambodia’s ancient theatre heritage into the future. Producing fully staged productions of contemporary Cambodian dance and drama, they nurture the next generation of professional performers through collaborations with internationally renowned directors and choreographers, such as Belgium-based choreographer Arco Renz and Toronto’s Peter Chin.

The ancient Cambodian martial art of Yuthakun Khom often lives in the shadow of its more famous neighbour, Thai boxing. However, the movements the Yuthakun Khom fighters carry out are very artistic, with each fighter choosing an animal and using their characteristics to fight. Classes are led by Chan Rothana, a fighter who was born in a refugee camp into a family of martial artists. Visitors can give it a go themselves or watch a private performance at Phnom Penh-based Selapak Cambodia.

Five of the Best Traditional Art Troupes in Cambodia

Cambodia has a rich heritage when it comes to the traditional arts. From ancient Apsara dancing to shadow puppet shows, there’s a wealth of entertainment just waiting to be watched.

With the ultimate aim of rekindling the traditional arts that were almost destroyed by the Khmer Rouge, passing these skills onto younger generations and providing artists with an economically-viable platform to survive, Cambodia Living Arts (CLA)has helped spawn new generations of artists since launching in 1998. Preserving and breathing new life into the country’s dance, theatre, music and puppetry, CLA’s many troupes can be found performing across the country throughout the year. In Phnom Penh daily performances take place at the National Museum of Cambodia at 7pm.

CLA’s Wat Bo Shadow Puppetry Troupe keep alive the Cambodian ancient art of sbaek (shadow puppetry) which is said to date from the Khmer Empire era. Their large, intricately patterned puppets are made from ox, buffalo or cow hide and are attached to bamboo rods. In the troupe’s performances, each puppet represents a character from the poem Reamker, the Cambodian version of the Hindu epic Ramayana. The puppets are cleverly moved behind a white fabric screen, with a coconut fire blazing behind to create shadows. This is played out to the backdrop of a Pinpeat orchestra (a musical ensemble which performs Cambodian ceremonial music) at the historic Wat Bo temple in Siem Reap.

SOPHILINE ARTS ENSEMBLE

Headed by renowned classical Cambodian dancer Sophiline Cheam Shaprio, this ensemble is an internationally-renowned classical dance and music company that is based at the Khmer Arts Theater in Takhmao, Kandal Province, outside of Phnom Penh. While the award-winning troupe is often overseas showcasing Cheam Shapiro’s groundbreaking choreography, they perform on hometurf several times a year – often at Chaktomuk Conference Hall – so it’s worth keeping an eye on their website and Facebook page.

Prumsodun Ok & NATYARASA is Cambodia’s first gay dance company, re-staging Khmer classical dances with a contemporary streak. The groundbreaking troupe recently took up residency at the newly opened Java Creative Cafe’s theatre in Toul Tom Poung. They can also be seen performing at various other locations across the capital.

Designed by revered Cambodian architect and father of the New Khmer Architecture movement of the 1950s and ’60s, Van Molyvann, Chaktomuk Conference Hall stands on the capital’s riverside, overlooking the Mekong and Tonle Sap rivers. It hosts a string of performances throughout the year, including several dance shows so keep an eye on its Facebook page for upcoming events.

If you fancy learning first hand the traditional art of apsara – Cambodian ballet – or bokator, the ancient Khmer martial art – then Selapak, which translates from Khmer to the arts, is a good place to start. It runs traditional dance and martial art initiation classes, demonstrations and lessons, all led by experts in their field. Private classes can be arranged on request. Performances can also be viewed.

CAMBODIAN LIVING ARTS' THEATRE SHOW

The Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh may not have as many spots to watch traditional Cambodian dancing at as Siem Reap, but there are still a handful of top-class options to choose from. Here’s where to watch them, and some of the troupes that are worth keeping an eye on.

As the main organisation tasked with bringing traditional arts back to life and steering it in a new, modern direction, Cambodian Living Arts trains musicians, dancers, singers, and other performers, providing them with the props to make a living from their art. One arm of their efforts is the daily shows at the capital’s National Museum, which runs from 7pm to 8pm. The Traditional Dance Show takes audiences on a journey from Angkor’s palaces to the villages of today through song, music, and theatre.

Sovanna Phum Arts Association worked tirelessly to keep the arts alive in the capital. It employs more than 120 artists, and puts on a range of shows every Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm. These include shadow puppet theatre, classical Apsara dancing, folklore, mask dances, and traditional music. Visitors can also try their hand at dance, drums, or circus skills at a private workshop.

TUOL SLENG GENOCIDE MUSEUM

This former high school in central Phnom Penh makes for a sobering visit for the horrific role it played during the Khmer Rouge regime. During that time, the former school was transformed into a political prisoners’ camp known as Security Prison 21 (S-21). Only seven prisoners survived, while many others were tortured and killed, or sent to their deaths at Choeung Ek. Much of the site has been left as it was discovered in 1979 when the Vietnamese army liberated Phnom Penh. The blood-splattered walls, tiny brick cells and abandoned torture tools offer a chilling insight into the brutal regime.

Bophana Audiovisual Resource Center is a cinema and hub for photography, television, film and sound. As many image and sound archives were destroyed during decades of conflict, Bophana collates and archives surviving material and puts it on display to the public. The center also serves as an educational site where young Cambodians can learn audiovisual techniques, multimedia practices, broadcasting and film production. Visitors can peruse photographs that date back to 1866 and view treasured film footage. The space also regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops and film screenings.