Mak Yong

Mak Yong is an ancient dance-theatre form that include the elements of ritual, stylised dance and acting, vocal and instrumental music, story, song and formal, as well as improvised, spoken text.
The origins of Mak Yong are not clear however; but it is believed to have had divine inspiration, to have started before the 15th century and to have animistic and shamanistic origins. Originally, mak yong was used for healing rituals and harvest celebrations. The influences of Hinduism, Buddhism and animism can be seen in mak yong. The influence of Islam is seen mostly in the music. The Mak Yong orchestra consists of three instruments: the three-stringed rebab; a pair of double-headed barrel drums (gendang) and a pair of hanging gongs (twak-tawak or tetawak).
Principally performed in Kelantan and Patani, in southern Thailand, Mak Yong is also associated with Kedah on the West Coast of the Malay Peninsula and northern Sumatra. The most important story in its twelve story repertoire is "Dewa Muda." All the stories, mythological in character, are based on princes and princesses who are descended from gods. During a brief period in the early 20th century, Mak Yong was instituted as a court entertainment in Kelantan. This period brought several innovations to the art form including the use of females to play the lead male roles. The most beautiful and accomplished female actress usually plays this role.
In the past, Mak Yong was performed in the villages in an open-sided hut created just for the performance. It often lasted for three or more consecutive nights, beginning about 8:30 pm and ending well after midnight. Performances were kept very simple. The actors and actresses never left the stage. When they were not performing they sat around the edge of the stage joining in the chorus. There were no entrances and exits. Walking in a circle indicated a change of scene or location. The few props used were simple and multi-functional. However, it is very rare to see a traditional Mak Yong performance today.

Adapted from - http://www.malaysianculturegroup.com/oldnewsl/napr02.htm