BA-WAL: Mga Dulang BAgong luWAL (Katre/Over My Dead Body)

I am delighted to have been invited, to a play written by a talented young man, Christian Tordecillas.  He has a gift for developing simple storylines into socially relevant plays.  His last play "Dyip" (Jeep) won him the Palanca Award in 2006.
 
I had the pleasure of seeing his latest masterpiece "KATRE" last September 7.


"KATRE" is one of the two plays featured in "BA-WAl: Mga Dulang BAgong LuWAL" of Project Mayheim, a production outfit supporting works of up and coming playwrights.

KATRE, is a tragic story  of a young wife and mother named Lea, who anguished the disappearance of her family.

I was truly  impressed, at how easily the play was able to translate such an utterly heavy social issue, "desaparecidos"  into words and actions that connects to it's viewers.   The audience was one with the main protagonist as she battles her sorrow, fear and despair.

The simplicity of the set and the intimate size of the venue, helped the play succeed in introducing to audience the real victims of this injustice, the ones left behind! 

The second is a comedy titled, OVER MY DEAD BODY, written by Christian Dagsil, was a perfect balance to Katre's heavy drama.   The over the top comical performance was hilarious. 

It was enjoyable seeing these talented young artists at work. 

Bravo and well done!

Let us support Philippine Theater, catch Katre and Over My Dead Body at the Room 3, ISO Complex Ateneo de Manila Campus on the following dates: September 13 (7 pm), 14 and 15 (3 and 7pm).

You may email Projectmayheim.production@gmail.com for shows and ticket inquiries.

 

PINOCCHIO - OnStage

 

My children love theater plays, however, it is not very often we get one for very young audiences. 

 

I was happy to learn that Repertory Philippines has brought to life one of my beloved classical fairy tale, Pinocchio.

 

(Photo courtesy of Repertory Philippines website)

 

My boys were both awestruck to see Geppetto's puppet.  

 

They both loved the Blue Fairy, as she waved her magic wand to bring Pinocchio to life and later she transformed him into a real boy.

 

And they hated the nasty Coachman and the conniving duo, SignoreVolpone (fox) and Signore Gatto (cat). 

 

My five (5) year old was sad to see Geppetto laments the lost of his puppet boy.  My son was so immersed in the play and was worried when Geppetto, while looking for Pinocchio, made his way through the audience and existed the scene using the Fire Exit.

 

He asked, "...Why is Geppetto looking for  Pinocchio inside the Fire Exit? What is Pinocchio doing in the Fire Exit?"

(oh so many questions) 

 

The play was crafted with the young audiences in mind. It invited sing-along and viewers' interaction. The props, setting and casts costume were colorful to hold the target viewers' attention.

 

The casts were equally enthralling.  They were very good, especially the lead character Pinocchio.  I was amazed to learn after, that Pinocchio is played by a real kid, who belts out songs and acts like a pro.   

 

 

The play was a success in teaching good values such as, obedience and love for study, but not over bearing (which was good).  

Highly recommended!

For a different kind of educational entertainment, please come and see  Pinocchio at the OnStage Theater, Greenbelt 1.

 

Pinocchio runs from August 16 to December 14. 

Tickets are available at TicketWorld.