Established in 1967, Luang Prabang Provincial Performing Arts Troupe originally comprised up to 40 members. Between 1975 and 1980, with assistance from the Central Lao Opera (Lam Luang) Troupe in Vientiane, a lam luang troupe was established within the company to introduce that art form to Luang Prabang audiences, but in 1993 this was dissolved due to lack of funds. Today the company numbers 17 members and comprises three sections: (i) international (electric pop, Lao ram vong, disco) and traditional music and singing (including khap thum), (ii) classical and folkloric dance; and (iii) administration. The company is the leading exponent of khap thum, a call-and-response genre involving flirtatious improvised repartee between one or two couples which was traditionally performed at festivals and house warming ceremonies. The company currently does some 40 shows each year, performing either for tourists in hotels, or for government guests; regrettably neither funds nor transport are currently available to perform to the general population, although the troupe is keen to revive public interest in traditional performances such as khap thum by performing regularly around the province.