Likay is a stage traditional performing art performed by actors and actresses playing particular types of characters, namely phra (hero), nang (heroine), kong (villain), itcha or jealous woman (villainess)and joker (male or female clowns). The performers improvise their dialogues and song lyrics during the performance following the scenario provided by a story-teller.
The performance is divided into three parts: the piphat musical prelude, the ok khaek (the appearance of the khaek )or the introductory opening, and the play proper. The repertoire includes a large number of contemporary stories set in earlier times and a few modern ones, all treated in a light, romantic-comedy vein.