Press Release: Teatro Tomasino Reimagines Bob Ong’s Novel

For its 38th season, Teatro Tomasino presents its second major production of the year — a stage adaptation of a popular novel of Bob Ong. The stage play runs from April 20-22, 2016, with shows at 10 A.M., 1 P.M., 4 P.M., and 7 P.M., at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium, University of Santo Tomas.

Retitled as “Ang Favorite Book ni Jude,” the play conveys a socio-political and quasi-religious message through exploring the life of the protagonist Jude as he struggles to find redemption of faith in his experience of the afterlife. The stage play is directed by Ron Biñas and adapted for the stage by Eljay Castro Deldoc. Likewise, the production showcases professional designers, namely: Io Balanon for set and props, D Cortezano for lighting, and Philstage Gawad Buhay 2014 awardee Carlo V. Pagunaling for costume and makeup.

Teatro Tomasino is the official university-wide student theater organization of the University of Santo Tomas. For ticket queries, contact Jenny at 09062369492 or visit Teatro Tomasino's Facebook page. 

Press Release: TANGHALANG ATENEO 'S 'KALANTIAW' ALL SET TO OPEN MARCH 30

TANGHALANG ATENEO ENDS ITS 37TH SEASON WITH RENE O. VILLANUEVA’S “KALANTIAW” 

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools will end its 37th Season: “Staging Revolution/s” this March with Rene O. Villanueva’s “KALANTIAW”. Based on real-life events, this play, originally entitled “Ang Kagila-gilalas na Kasinungalingan Tungkol sa Isang Kayumangging Bayan”, is written by the country's leading playwright in Filipino, Rene O. Villanueva. This Palanca First Prize-winning play is about the life of historian Jose E. Marco and the hoax he created - the controversial Code of Kalantiaw. The play, first performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and then at the Theatre Le Rond Point in Paris by Tanghalang Pilipino, forces us to take a closer and more critical look at our sense of nationalism.

The play focuses on the themes of nationalism and the creation of history. It follows an unnamed young historian as he dives deep into the annals of Philippine history in search for the truth about life in pre-colonial Philippines. His research leads him to Jose E. Marco, a historian who allegedly uncovered an important piece of anthropological text depicting the rules and systems implemented during those times. The young researcher delves into the lives of those who were involved in the process of making the Code of Kalantiaw, which is considered as an important part of the canon of Philippine historical texts. Many of Marco’s alleged texts are hinted at throughout the play as baseless fabrications that hold no value in the academic community. In the end, while the young historian is successful in disproving the claims of Marco, he also realizes that his search was in vain as it only led him to lies and deceit.

An ensemble of eight cast members will portray eighteen characters, each playing multiple roles:


John Sanchez portrays Jose E. Marco/Matandang Lalaki, the creator of the hoax of the Code of Kalantiaw who comes back from the dead to explain his reasons for fabricating the said code. John Sanchez also portrays Kalantiaw, a datu from the Visayas region who was believed to have created the brutal precolonial code.


Brian Ramos portrays Batang Historyador, a young academic who researched on the precolonial history of the Philippines, eventually being led to the discovery that the Code of Kalantiaw was merely a hoax created by Jose Marco. Brian Ramos also portrays Luther Parker and Merton Miller.

Yvonne Ricaro portrays Asawa, Jose Marco’s wife. She also plays the role of Katutubong Babae 1-8. 

Johnel Inojosa portrays the role of Matandang Historayador who is the mentor of Batang Historyador.

Avie Alcantara portrays Dr. James A Robertson, the director of the national library and museum in the Philippines. He also plays the role of Estudyanteng Filipino

Jego Mallillin portrays the roles of Jose Rizal and Giya.

Chloe Fabul portrays the roles of Babae and Babaeng Guro.

Jerome Flor portrays the roles of Kusinero and Ama ni Marco. 

The artistic team of “KALANTIAW” is comprised of Glenn Sevilla Mas (Artistic Director and Company Moderator, Tanghalang Ateneo), Joseph Dela Cruz (OIC Company Moderator), Charles Yee (Director), Ed Lacson Jr. (Set Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Costumes Designer), Meliton Roxas Jr. (Lights Designer), Jeff Hernandez (Sounds Designer), Gio Gahol (Choreographer) and Nic Perez (Graphic Designer).

The play dates of  “KALANTIAW” are: March 30-31, April 1-2, 5-9, 12-16 at 7 p.m. while Saturday matinee shows start at 2 p.m. 

All performances will be held at the Rizal Mini Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Tanghalang Ateneo’s “KALANTIAW” would like to thank its media partners: Curtain Call Manila, Sindikato Productions, WazzupPilipinas.com, Theater Fans Manila, ClickTheCity, Choose Philippines, SkedSearch, and 2nd Opinion. 

For further details of the show, please contact Madel Juliano at 0917-631-4387 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com

Photo credits: art direction by Ed Lacson Jr.; styling by Carlo Pagunaling; photography by Christine Chung and Adrian Begonia

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo
  
See you at the theater! 

Press Release: PHILSTAGE - GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS ALL SET ON APRIL 28

PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY!’S 2015 NOMINATIONS OUT

TANGHALANG PILIPINO’S ‘MABINING MANDIRIGMA’

LEADS WITH 13 NODS

Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Mabining Mandirigma,” a reappraisal in musical form of the heroism and legacy of Apolinario Mabini that featured the radical casting of a female actor in the role of the revolutionary patriot, took the lead in the 2015 nominations for the Gawad Buhay!, the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, with 13 nods in the performance and technical categories.

Following “Mabining Mandirigma” is the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s “Arbol de Fuego,” which transposed Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” to the haciendas of Negros in the martial law era, with 12 nominations.

Receiving 10 nominations each are 9 Works Theatrical’s production of the Broadway musical “La Cage aux Folles,” the Philippine premiere of Larry Kramer’s AIDS drama “The Normal Heart” staged by Actor’s Actors Inc. and The Necessary Theatre, and Ballet Philippines’ Christmas presentation “Peter Pan.”

Now on its eighth year, Gawad Buhay! is the first-ever industry awards exclusively for the performing arts juried by an independent panel of critics, scholars, artists and theater enthusiasts. Outstanding individual and group achievements in various artistic and technical aspects of play, musical and dance productions and performances are honored based on quarterly citations deliberated by members of the jury who are required to watch all    productions of Philstage member-companies for the entire year.

From the four quarterly citations, the jury selects the final nominees qualified to win the awards by the end of the performance season.

Philstage is the only alliance of professional performing arts organizations in the Philippines. Its members include Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Peta, Repertory Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino, Trumpets, Actor’s Actors Inc., 9 Works Theatrical, Philippine Opera Company, Resorts World Manila’s Full House Theater Company, Red Turnip Theater and Philippine Ballet Theater.

Awarding ceremonies will be on April 28, 7 p.m., at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City, directed by Jenny Jamora.

COMPLETE LIST OF NOMINATIONS IN VARIOUS CATEGORIES:

[Note: Lone nominees are automatic winners.]

Outstanding Original Script

 Kanakan Balintagos, “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

Outstanding Original Libretto

 Nicanor Tiongson, “Mabining Mandirigma (TP)

Outstanding Translation or Adaptation

 Elmer Gatchalian, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Rody Vera, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Luna Griño-Inocian, “The Horse and His Boy” (Trumpets)

Outstanding Musical Direction

 Joseph Tolentino, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Rodel Colmenar, “Bituing Walang Ningning, The Musical” (Full House)

 Joed Balsamo, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Original Musical Composition

 Joed Balsamo, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production

 Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, “Bloom” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 Alden Lugnasin, “Cucurucucu Paloma” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Erl Emmanuel Sorilla, “Requiem to a Cygnet” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Enrico Labayen, “Two Barres, a Man and the Plague (A Sad Truth)” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Edna Vida-Froilan, “Peter Pan” (BP)

Outstanding Choreography for a Play or Musical

 Arnold Trinidad and PJ Rebullida, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Denisa Reyes, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Dexter Santos, “The Horse and His Boy” (Trumpets)

Outstanding Costume Design

 James Reyes, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Mio Infante, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Loy Arcenas, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, “Bloom” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 James Reyes, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Lighting Design

 Barbara Tan-Tiongco, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 John Batalla, “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Meliton Roxas, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Katsch Catoy, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Dennis Marasigan, “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

Outstanding Sound Design

 Joed Balsamo, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Chuck Ledesma, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Jethro Joaquin, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 TJ Ramos, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Jethro Joaquin, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

Outstanding Set Design

 Loy Arcenas, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Ed Lacson Jr., “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Coco Anne and Baby Imperial, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Toym Imao, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Salvador Bernal, “Peter Pan” (BP)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play

 Ana Abad Santos, “Time Stands Still” (RTT)

 Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Cherie Gil, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Irma Adlawan, “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play

 Arnold Reyes, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Raffy Tejada, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Bart Guingona, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Jef Flores, “This Is Our Youth” (RTT)

 Nicco Manalo, “This Is Our Youth” (RTT)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Play

 LJ Reyes, “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 Angeli Bayani, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Roselyn Perez, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Roselyn Perez, “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Malou Crisologo, “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play

 Jake Macapagal, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Teroy Guzman, “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Topper Fabregas, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 TJ Trinidad, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Joel Trinidad, “The Horse and His Boy” (AAI/TNT)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical

 Kim Molina, “Manhid” (BP)

 Delphine Buencamino, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Myramae Meneses, “Kanser@35” (Gantimpala Theater)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical

 Audie Gemora, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Michael De Mesa, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Noel Comia Jr., “Prinsipe Munti” (TP)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Musical

 KL Dizon, “Manhid” (BP)

 Sweet Plantado-Tiongson, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

 Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

 Antoinette Taus, “Bituing Walang Ningning, The Musical” (Full House)

 Cris Villonco, “Bituing Walang Ningning, The Musical” (Full House)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical

 Fred Lo, “Manhid” (BP)

 Noel Rayos, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Antonio Ferrer, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

 Renz Verano, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

 Lorenz Martinez, “Rak of Aegis” (Peta)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance

 Dawna Mangahas, “Bloom” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 Christine Rocas, “After the Rain” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 Lobreza Pimentel, “Dancing in One Voice” (PBT)

 Rita Winder, “Bolero” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Rita Winder, “Sarong Banggi” (BP)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Modern Dance

 Gerardo Francisco, “Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin” /from “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 Jean Marc Cordero, “Bolero” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Victor Maguad, “Cucurucucu Paloma” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 Erl Emmanuel Sorilla, “Cucurucucu Paloma” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

 PJ Rebullida, “Two Barres, a Man and the Plague (A Sad Truth)” /from “Body Positive+” (BP)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Modern Dance

 Abigail Oliveiro, “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria” /from “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 Joan Emery Sia, “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria” /from “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 Monica Gana, “Sarong Banggi” (BP)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Modern Dance

 Michael Divinagracia, “Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin” /from “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 Jean Marc Cordero, “Sarong Banggi” (BP)

 Earl John Arisola, “Sarong Banggi” (BP)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance

 Christine Rocas, “Romeo and Juliet” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 Lobreza Pimentel, “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 Katherine Barkman, “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

 Lobreza Pimentel, “The Nutcracker” (PBT)

 Regina Magbitang, “The Nutcracker” (PBT)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance

 Joseph Phillips, “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 Victor Maguad, “Peter Pan” (BP)

 Cyril Fallar, “Peter Pan” (BP)

 Peter San Juan, “The Nutcracker” (PBT)

 Rudy De Dios, “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance

 Regina Magbitang, “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 Pia Dames, “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

 Dawna Mangahas, “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

 Pia Dames, “Pinocchio” (BM)

 Janine Myrtle Arisola, “Peter Pan” (BP)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Classical Dance

 Ian Ocampo, “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 Victor Maguad, “Peter Pan” (BP)

 Erl Emmanuel Sorilla, “Peter Pan” (BP)

 Michael Divinagracia, “Pinocchio” (BM)

 Gerardo Francisco, “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

Outstanding Modern Dance Production

 “Bloom” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

Outstanding Classical Dance Production

 “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 “Peter Pan” (BP)

 “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

 “The Nutcracker” (PBT)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

 Loy Arcenas, “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 Jenny Jamora, “33 Variations” (RTT)

 Bart Guingona, “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 Kanakan Balintagos, “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

 Topper Fabregas, “This Is Our Youth” (RTT)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

 Robbie Guevara, “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 Chris Millado, “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play

 “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 “33 Variations” (RTT)

 “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical

 “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

 “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Modern Dance

 “Bloom” /from “BM 2.0” (BM)

 “Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin” /from “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 “Saranggola ni Pepe” /from “Sarong Banggi” (BP)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Classical Dance

 “Don Quixote” (PBT)

 “Peter Pan” (BP)

 “Romeo and Juliet” (BM)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play

 “Time Stands Still” (RTT)

 “4000 Miles” (Rep)

 “33 Variations” (RTT)

 “The Normal Heart” (AAI/TNT)

 “This Is Our Youth” (RTT)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical

 “La Cage aux Folles” (9WT)

Outstanding Play—Original or Translation/Adaptation

 “Juego de Peligro” (TP)

 “Arbol de Fuego” (Peta)

 “Mga Buhay na Apoy” (TP)

 “The Horse and His Boy” (Trumpets)

Outstanding Musical—Original or Translation/Adaptation

 “Mabining Mandirigma” (TP)

Outstanding Production for Children

 “The Horse and His Boy” (Trumpets)

 “Snow White” (Rep)

 “Peter Pan” (BP)

 “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” (BM)

 “The Nutcracker” (PBT)

The 2015 Philstage Gawad Buhay! will be on April 28 at Onstage, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Tickets available via TicketWorld and at the venue (prices: P500, P400, P250). Visit Philstage on Facebook for more information.

Press Release: BALLET PHILIPPINES SUMMER WORKSHOP STARTS APRIL 4- MAY 22

Bring out the ballerina (or danseur) in you
at the 47^th CCP Summer Dance Workshop on April  4 – May 22

This summer, explore the art of dance with the Ballet Philippines Dance School in its annual 7-week intensive training program, the Summer Dance Workshop. Students from the age of 4 to pre-professional and professional levels, as well as adult beginners can take courses in Classical Ballet, Modern & Contemporary Dance, and Hip Hop.

Workshop participants may choose to focus on their preferred genre, or expand their dance vocabulary further by enrolling in the Full Course package, which places them in both classical ballet and modern dance classes for their age and skill level. Students will have the chance to learn from BP alumni such as Nonoy Froilan, Gina Katigbak-Garcia, Rhea Dumdum-Bautista, as well as current dancers Jean Marc Cordero, Gillianne Gequinto, and Erl Sorilla, just to name a few.

In keeping with the BP Dance School’s hoslistic approach to dance education, the Summer Dance Workshop also includes a weekly Lecture Series. Through these sit-down talks, students have the opportunity to interact with artists of different fields and learn how aspects of their art form can relate to and enhance one’s dancing.

The 47^th CCP Summer Dance Workshop starts on April 4, 2016 at BPDS-Aura and on April 5, 2016 at BPDS-CCP. Students attend a minimum of 3 classes a week (for pre-ballet and elementary ballet students) to as much as 5 classes a week, including workshop rehearsals for its culminating performances at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on May 21 and 22.

Scholarship auditions for the 47^th CCP Summer Dance Workshop are scheduled on March 19 at 11:00AM & 1:30PM and on April 5, 2016 (for provincial applicants only) at 1:00PM & 2:00PM. Scholars are given wide access to intensive dance training, aside from paying discounted fees. Intermediate and Advanced students who reach Company Scholar status become part of Ballet Philippines II, BP's junior performing company. These scholarships are supported through donations made to the Noordin Jumalon Scholarship Program.

The Ballet Philippines Dance School is the professional training ground of the country’s most promising young talents in dance. With a unique curriculum that encompasses various dance styles and techniques, the systematized method and approach to instruction takes highly into account children’s anatomy and psyche at various ages and levels so that the training is physically safe, technically effective and artistically enriching for all students.

The Ballet Philippines Dance School is located at the following venues:

BPDS-CCP: Ground Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

                        Call (02) 832-3689

BPDS-Aura: 6^th Floor, Unit 602B, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street Corner McKinley Parkway Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

                        Call (02) 531-4436

Connect to the Ballet Philippines Dance School online through the following social media networks:

Facebook:    www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter:          @balletph

Instagram:    @ccpdanceschool

                        @balletphilippines

YouTube:     balletph

To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #bpdanceschool

See you at the studio!

Press Release: THE PILLOWMAN (IN FILIPINO TRANSLATION) ALL SET TO OPEN ON APRIL 8

STORYTELLING AS A BASIC INSTINCT: EGG THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS

THE FILIPINO TRANSLATION OF MARTIN MCDONAGH’S THE PILLOWMAN

After the brief festival run of its productions, Maniacal (Fringe Manila 2015) and Schism (Fringe Manila 2016), Egg Theater Company presents its first full-run production with a Filipino Translation of Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman.

Winner of the 2004 Olivier Award for Best Play and Tony-Nominated in 2005 for Best Play, The Pillowman is about a writer in an unidentified totalitarian state being interrogated about his gruesome and macabre short stories that has inspired a series of child murders. The Pillowman is a dark comedy that boldly exhibits the riveting power of narrative and how storytelling and invention of fantastical tales is a basic human instinct. With the coming elections and the incessant specter of dictatorships and martial law, this production resonates with its exploration of the fine line between the freedom of an individual to tell a story and its impact on the security of society.

Palanca awardee and Egg Theater Company co-founder, George de Jesus III in translating and directing The Pillowman, remarks, “In examining the dark side of imagination and creativity, the play probes into how stories are created, the motivation that drives a writer to tell a story and the responsibility of a writer on the impact of what he has written. Put that against a totalitarian-state setting and we get a play that are by turns disturbingly funny and emotionally shocking. Given that the play is set in an unnamed totalitarian state, translating it into Filipino affords us not only in making it somehow familiar but it also further fuels the idea of it possibly becoming real.”

Egg Theater Company co-founder and producer adds, “But beyond being political, The Pillowman will make us take stock on the power of words and how it can affect other people. There’s a line by Katurian that says, "It's not about being or not being dead, it's about what you leave behind." I think it’s something that will resonate to anyone in the creative field and it’s what we want to accomplish with Egg Theater Company, to create Filipino productions that will linger in the minds of our audience.”

Co-presented by Pineapple Lab, The Pillowman features Gabs Santos as Katurian, Paolo O’Hara and Paul Jake Paule as Michal, Renante Bustamante as Tupolski and Acey Aguilar as Ariel.

The production will also feature original music and animated graphics by Joee Mejias.

The play will run from April 8-10 and 22-24, 2016, 8:00 PM at Pineapple Lab, 6071 R. Palma Street, Poblacion, Makati City.

For tickets and inquiries, visit Egg Theater Company’s FB Page or contact 0917-844-0520.

PRESS RELEASE

Ref: Mr. Toots Tolentino

(m) 0947-2985003

---

OVERVIEW 

The Pillowman is a 2003 play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh. It received its first public reading in an early version at the Finborough Theatre, London, in 1995. It tells the tale of Katurian, a fiction writer living in a police state who is interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories, and their similarities to a number of bizarre child murders occurring in his town. The play received the 2004 Olivier Award for Best New Play, the 2004-5 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best New Foreign Play, and two Tony Awards for production. It was nominated for the 2004 Evening Standard Award for Best New Play. (Wikipedia.com)

In the Philippines, The Pillowman had a stage reading by the Sandbox Theater Collective in the 2014 Imaginarium Theater Festival at the PETA Theater Center and during the first Fringe Manila Festival in 2015 at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute at the CCP. This production is the first full staging of The Pillowman translated in the Filipino language.

SYNOPSIS

ACT 1 

The play opens in a police interrogation room as two officers, Tupolski and Ariel, question a man named Katurian. At first Katurian does not know why he is being questioned, and thinks he is under suspicion of running political messages against the totalitarian dictatorship through his stories.

Katurian is a writer of twisted stories involving children, and several of the murders mimic ideas presented in his stories. Ariel leaves the room, and soon after Michal is heard screaming in the next room. Ariel returns, his hand covered in blood from apparently torturing Michal, and tells Katurian that Michal has just confessed to killing three children, in association with Katurian. The first two children were murdered according to the patterns of the stories "The Little Apple Men" and "The Tale of the Town on the River." Katurian denies the allegations, stating that although his stories are gruesome it is the job of a storyteller to tell a story. 

Katurian then tells of his childhood, how loving parents, who encouraged him to write, raised him and for many years he wrote very happy stories. However, at night he began to hear sounds of torture from the next room, and as a result he began to write more disturbing stories. One night, a note is slipped under the door, claiming that Katurian's brother has been tortured nightly for seven years as part of an artistic experiment to get Katurian to become a great writer. Katurian breaks down the door, only to find his parents, who were playing a trick on him, just pretending to be torturing a child. However, when Katurian returns years later, he discovers his brother's dead body hidden under the mattress, clutching the manuscript of a beautiful story, better than any of Katurian's, which Katurian burns. Katurian then interrupts his narrative to say that this ending was fabricated when he wrote the story: actually when Katurian broke down the door, he found Michal still alive. Katurian then smothered his parents with a pillow that very night in vengeance for his disabled brother and the pain they had put him through. He then took over care for his brother. 

ACT 2

Katurian, just having been tortured, is left alone with Michal. Michal reveals that he had not been tortured, but rather cooperated entirely with Ariel, even screaming when Ariel asked him to. At Michal's request, Katurian tells him the story of "The Pillowman", about a man made of pillows who convinces children to kill themselves so they can be spared a horrible future.

Katurian, who has maintained both his and Michal’s innocence, is shocked when Michal admits to having killed the children, claiming that Katurian told him to do it by telling his stories. Michal also admits that the third child was murdered following the story "The Little Jesus", one of Katurian's most violent tales. Michal tells Katurian that he had read the written version of "The Writer and the Writer's Brother", and resented the changes from the real version, wishing instead that Katurian had written a happy ending for the two brothers. Katurian lulls Michal to sleep by telling him the story "The Little Green Pig", and smothers him. Katurian calls to the detectives, announcing his intention to confess to the crimes on the condition that his stories are spared.

ACT 3 

Katurian, in the interrogation room with Ariel and Tupolski, is writing his confession, recounting the three child murders as well as the murders of Michal and his parents. Ariel explains his hatred for child-murders as he is preparing to torture Katurian with an electric battery. Tupolski prevents Ariel from torturing Katurian in order to question him. Katurian is unable to answer to whether the third child victim was still alive when she was buried, leading the detectives to consider that she may still be alive. While Ariel runs out to find the girl, Tupolski tells Katurian his own story about a deaf boy saved from being hit by a train because of the unseen efforts of a Chinese wise man in a tower; Tupolski sees himself as the wise man, protecting the innocent without getting personally involved with them. Ariel then returns with the girl, who was found quite alive, having been cast by Michal not in "The Little Jesus" but in the benign tale "The Little Green Pig." The detectives question Katurian and discover that he is actually ignorant of the details of the child murders, because he was not involved.

The hot-tempered Ariel, who was abused as a child, struggles with the fairness of it. The detectives execute Katurian for murdering Michal and his parents. Just as Ariel is about to torch the papers, however, Katurian stands up and tells how he used his last seconds to tell himself a story about how the Pillowman came to Michal when he was young. When he visits Michal, he declines and agrees to be tortured by his parents so that Katurian will become a great writer. In the end, Ariel secretly saves Katurian’s manuscripts instead of burning them.

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CAST & CHARACTERS 

KATURIAN, A writer of gruesome short stories often involving children. His disturbed imagination was the result of having heard his brother being abused when they were younger. Consequently he killed his parents and looked after his brother. He is shocked by his arrest.

The role will be portrayed by GABS SANTOS.

Gabs’ theater credits include I Love You Because, Mulan, Fiddler on the Roof, Love’s Labour’s Lost for Repertory Philippines; N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat) and The Little Mermaid for Trumpets, Lulu and Orosman at Zafira for Dulaang UP, and Bona  for PETA.

MICHAL, Katurian's brother, who is "slow to get things" following his years of abuse at the hands of his parents. He is also taken into jail along with Katurian.

PAOLO O’HARA and PAUL JAKE PAULE will portray the role.

Paolo, a graduate of BS Mathematics, is a former member of Tanghalang Pilipino’s Actors’ Company. His theater credits include Ang Mga Huwad, Bakaretta, Godot: Wer Is U?, Magno Rubio, Merchant of Venice, Orfeo sa Impyerno, Rhythm Method, Crime and Punishment, Ang Sinungaling, Ang Ulo ni Pancho Villa, Insiang, Carmen, Makbet among others. Paolo also acts for movies and television and teaches in colleges, workshops and networks. Other productions include Dulaang UP’s Amphitryon and just recently, Tisoy Brown: Hari ng Wala, both directed by Jose Estrella.

Paul Jake is an actor, director and workshop facilitator. He was a former member and training director of PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory. 

For Film, He appeared in KAPATIRAN directed by Pepe Diokno, Mula Sa Kung Ano Ang Noon(From What is Before), HELE SA HIWAGANG HAPIS a film of Lav Diaz, THE GIFTED directed by Chris Martinez REquieme directed by Loy Arcenas and Ang Lagda entry to CINEBERDE 2015 wherein he won Best Actor.

He has also performed for Dulaang UP, Dulaang Laboratoryo, HeroesSquare Intramuros,Young Artists Production, Teatro Expedicion de Filipinas, Pro.Pro., Dulaang Kalay, Treehouse Theater Company,   Theater Artists Organization, and UP Theater Council wherein he won “Best Actor” for the play Room 4 Rent during the 2007 Curtain Call Play Festival.

He recently earned his first Best Stage Director non musical nomination for  Artist Playground's The Riddle of the Sphinx in the 2015 ALIW AWARDS.

TUPOLSKI, The lead detective and the "good cop" in the interrogation. Cold and uncaring, he sees himself as detached from the people he aims to save, shocking his younger partner Ariel.

RENANTE BUSTAMANTE will portray the role.

Renante was among the select students of Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York from 2006 to 2008. He played Omar in John Patrick Stanley’s The Big Funk at the Stella Adler Studio marking his New York stage debut. He also played Wes in Ryoji Kajiwara’s Home. He is the founding Artistic Director of Tanghalang Tatsulok, an active community theater in Bataan and has appeared in PETA’s production of Haring Lear and Noli/Fili Dekada 2000.

ARIEL, A brutal and violent detective who has a vendetta against anyone who commits crimes against children because of abuse in his own past. He ends up being more sympathetic towards Katurian and his stories than Tupolski.

ACEY AGUILAR will portray the role. 

Acey is a Theater Arts graduate of the Philippine High School for the Arts. He has worked with Dulaang UP, Tanghalang Pilipino, Tanghalang Ateneo and Sipat Lawin Ensemble, and among his theater credits are lead and supporting roles in Orosman at Zafira, Sala Sa Pito, Batang Pro, Pragres, Shock Value, Lulu, Kafatiran, Waiting for Godot and Ang Goldfish ni Professor Dimaandal

Aside from television and theater, he has also appeared in several indie films including Rekrut, Colossal, Lugaw, Kawal, Melodrama Negra, Islands, among others and most recently, the CineFilipino entry Star na si Van Damme Stallone.

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MARTIN McDONAGH - 

BIO-BRIEF

Martin McDonagh is a playwright, screenwriter and film director, born and raised in London with both British and Irish citizenship. He has been described as one of the most important living Irish playwrights.

He worked in a London-area supermarket as a shelf stocker in the late 1980s, and for the British Department of Trade and Industry as a part-time administrative assistant. His first play to be produced is The Beauty Queen of Leenane. It opened at the Druid Theatre, Galway, Ireland in February, 1996. It also became his first play to appear on Broadway in April, 1998 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. He wrote and directed the short film Six Shooter in 2005, which won an Academy Award for Best Short Film (Live Action). Other film credits include the full-length feature films In Bruges in 2008 and Seven Psychopaths in 2012.

Other notable works include the Tony Award nominated The Lieutenant of Inishmore, The Pillowman, and most recently Hangmen in 2015.

Photo Site: http://cdn.bigissue.com/sites/bigissue/files/styles/bigissue_main_half/public/martin_mcdonagh.jpg?itok=J2TKkEgq