January 15, 2009
Last night, my wife and I had the pleasure of being invited by Ms. Lorna Lopez to watch the preview of Repertory Philippines’ 2009 Season opener, Nick Joaquin’s famous play “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,” a true treasure of Philippine theater.
Over the years, I have been reading several articles in the past about various incarnations of this play, which always featured a high profile cast. The lead roles were Candida and Paula, two spinster sisters who fight to preserve their ancestral home despite familial and societal pressures. Which actresses would be cast to play these challenging roles had always been big theater news.
The play is set in the 1940s in the old house of the Marasigan family located in Intramuros. Don Lorenzo had just painted a masterpiece which he had given as a gift to his two spinster daughters Candida and Paula, who were staying with him. The story revolved around how the sisters steadfastly resisted all efforts of various people to gain possession of the painting. (It was interesting that we the audience do not actually see what was on the painting.) The intended metaphors referring to cultural conflicts of Filipino and Western values can be clearly gleaned when watching the play.
The set design was very classic old Manila. You really feel as if you are transported to another era. It really set the whole mood of the play very effectively. The main language of the play was English, enunciated by the actors with a distinct lilting Filipino accent, which I found charming (most of the time, at least). The little Tagalog expressions interspersed here and there were quite apt as well (and can be funny). The makeup and costumes were truly appropriate to the characters, and the era of the story.
It was always so gratifying to watch great actors at work. Last night, Ana Abad Santos and Liesl Batucan brought to life the sisters Candida and Paula, the hearts and souls of this play, so convincingly. I enjoyed the humorous interactions between the sisters and empathized with their problems. They really felt like our own old aunts whom we all want to help out.
I was already a fan of Ms. Liesl Batucan, especially after her delightful turn as the Narrator in POC's "The Magic Flute," and this admiration was reinforced last night. Her Paula was so infused with innocence and shyness. Ms. Batucan portrayed the transformation Paula underwent in the course of the story with so much palpable passion. I felt that Paula is the showier role and Ms. Batucan took it to town.
Ms. Ana Abad-Santos' Candida was more underplayed, the portrayal was quiet yet strong, staying true to character. Her scene where she tells Paula what happened to her at the Bureau of Science was heartbreaking. Her scenes while waiting up for Paula to come home were so tense with her silence. Candida will be alternatively played by veteran Ms. Irma Adlawan, who interpretation of Candida should be interesting to watch out for also.
Joel Trinidad was a dapper Bitoy with his new head of hair. This guy was really good as the narrator that brings the story together for us. Randy Villarama played the rascal boarder Tony Javier with just the right amount of charm and smarm. Jeremy Domingo played Don Manolo, the eldest brother.
The repartee of the senior guests during the La Naval festival scene was precious fun, especially by Ms. Baby Barredo and Chinggoy Alonso. Of course, I was very happy to finally see Ms. Lorna Lopez in action on stage as Dona Irene. The rest of the cast includes Jay Glorioso, Dido de la Paz, Jenny Jamora, Astarte Abraham, Oliver Usison, Bonggoy Manahan, Celso Ylagan, Ernie Zarate, Jejie Esguerra and Dingdong Rosales.
Repertory’s “Portrait” was directed by Jose Mari Avellana, whom we previously saw as Morrie in Rep’s opening show last year “Tuesdays with Morrie”. The music was by Lamberto Avellana, Jr. They are the sons of Lamberto Avellana, the director of the movie version of the play released in 1965, and Daisy Avellana, the original Candida on stage back in 1955 as well as in the said film version.
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Performances of "Portrait of an Artist as Filipino" are on January 16-February 8, 2009 at Onstage Greenbelt One Theater, Ayala Malls, Makati City, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:30 p.m.
Call the Rep office 8870710 or Ticketworld 8919999 for ticket inquiries.
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