Review: Repertory Philippines' Hamlet

/5 stars

Got another set of free tickets for a Repertory Philippines' play. This time, I got to watch "Hamlet" as directed by Ms Ana Abad Santos-Bitong. The director describes her "Hamlet" as Hamlet "stripped to its core". I'd say the description is pretty accurate. Instead of an uptight Prince of Denmark, whom we see in a lavish environment and is expected to speak in British accents and wear those oh-so-uncomfortable looking tights (no they're not sexy, even if they hug so close to the crotch), we get a Hamlet that's in rugged (leather?) clothing living in a land that rings true to my image of Saudi Arabia (sand, baby, sand).

"Hamlet" started with a bang. With an emphasis on red lighting, the audience can get the sense of fear that the director surely wanted to establish. Although the scene that succeeded the opening was a bit disappointing, the play picked up and lived up to its grand opening.

The play, being such a long one ("Hamlet" is considered one of Shakespeare's longer plays) had some glitches. Joel Trinidad's Claudius kept on losing his audio. It was a good thing that my friends and I were in the first four rows and were still able to hear him when his mic went bonkers - but what about those who were seated far away from the stage? There was also this minor glitch with the lighting, where all the lights onstage were lit and everybody could see the stagehands setting up the props for the next scene - supposedly, only a spotlight on Horatio is on.

But these were but minor glitches. I'd say despite these glitches, the play deserves 4 stars out of 5. This fresh take on the classic Shakespearean tale is indeed a welcome change. The acting was also superb. I felt Hamlet's pain, Ophelia's sorrow, Claudius' repentance, Laertes' hatred, and so much more.

I love Shakespeare's plays. But I must admit that most of the time, onstage, I have a hard time understanding his words. But Repertory's rendition of "Hamlet" did not pose that problem. Sure, there were still throw ins of "thou", "thine", "thy", etc. but the language used were fairly understandable.

Though I'd say "Tuesdays with Morrie" is still the better play, "Hamlet" still provided good entertainment. It was a good way of spending a Sunday afternoon. If you're a big Shakespeare fan, go grab a ticket - Repertory Philippines never disappoint.

Review: Tuesdays with Morrie The Play

/5stars

I would never really list Mitch Albom's "Tuesdays with Morrie" as one of my favourite books. I liked it. It was truly a book of meaningful life lessons. It's just that the book, for all its tear-jerker moments, swings to great heights then flops down really low only to pick up and take you to highs again when the book was just about to end. The book is a sure-fire crier but it became boring during the mid-part that it took me three months to actually finish the book.

That didn't stop me though from getting curious with Repertory Philippines' staging of "Tuesdays with Morrie: The Play". And when a good friend of mine offered his complimentary tickets, I knew I just had to go see the play.

To be perfectly honest, I came to the show half-expecting it to be boring - I mean, just how much excitement can one get from a two-character play that is surely going to be mostly talkies?

Jose Mari Avellana and Bart Guingona gladly trampled my expectation. Though there really was not much excitement, the play was anything but boring.

Jose Mari Avellana was a really charming Morrie Schwartz. His voice was very engaging that I can't help but wish that he was also a college teacher of mine. And everytime he'd utter, "Extra credit?", I would always feel the urge to go on stage and to take on the offer. My favourite Morrie moment was when he was talking to this "phantom" Janine. He was so sweet and cute and I'm pretty sure everybody in the theatre was remembering the moments when they'd sit on their grandfather's knees and listen to him telling a story.

Bart Guingona was also an effective Mitch Albom. He knew exactly when to pause and leave the audience wanting to hear more of what he has to say. His anger was powerful yet a bit controlled that the audience does not hate him for being aloof towards Morrie. In fact, with the way Bart Guingona portrayed Mitch, the audience reaches out to him. I personally wanted to go up to him and tell him that his Uncle Mike's death was not his fault and that Morrie is actually giving him that chance to say goodbye - a chance that he never got with his beloved uncle.

I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one who was captivated by this show. In the scenes where Morrie was nearing his death and Mitch was finally starting to soften up and enjoy his visits, the shushed audience broke into sniffles - it was as if everyone suddenly got a cold.

I'm glad I watched the play. Though the tickets that I had were free, I'd say money won't go wasted on this Repertory offering. The play was, in all honesty, better than the book. Jose Mari Avellana's and Bart Guingona's acting conveyed powerful emotions that Mitch Albom's words alone has failed to evoke.

*Edit: I got the names of the actors jumbled. Haha! Fixed that now. Thanks to Kathy for pointing out the error. ;-)