Royal Lao Ballet

The Royal Lao Ballet is the sole remaining court troupe in Southeast Asia. Its dance, music, and drama styles are nearly identical to Thailand's lakon nai. Performances typically feature excerpts from extensive dance-plays, as full-length spectacles are beyond the court's current financial capacity. While male khon dance is known, it is rarely performed. The Royal Lao Ballet also studies and performs various Laotian folk dances.1

The arts in Laos are deeply influenced by religious and traditional sources, with significant contributions from Theravada Buddhism and Hinduism. Themes from the Ramayana and stories of the Buddha are common in dance dramas and are often performed during religious celebrations. The Royal Lao Ballet's style is closely aligned with the classical court traditions of neighboring Cambodia and Thailand.21