I first saw an interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Midsummer’s
Night Dream in a stage production done by Ateneo theater guild in the
Metropolitan Theater back in high school as a school requirement. Seeing
students doing theater made it appealing for me which why I am now writing
reviews for theatrical productions.
 |
| The four lovers: Helena, Lysander Hermia and Demetrius played by Lhorvie Nuevo,Marco Viana, Antonette Go and JV Ibesate. |
I also saw the movie version that sets the Shakespeare
comedy in a 19th Century Italy that stars Kevin Kline, Michelle
Pffeifer, Rupert Everett, Calista Flockhart, Christian Bale, Stanley Tucci and
more. In the stage productions, I already watch Tanghalang Pilipino interprets
Shakespeare play in different worlds like World War II Germany and Kabuki
theater style.
This year marks the 400th death anniversary of
The Bard and what better way to give tribute than doing one of his comedies “The
Midsummer’s Night Dream. Before you read my review, read my media launch conference
post here.
Entitled in Tagalog as “Pangarap Sa Gabi Ng Gitnang Tag-Araw”,
Director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna interpreted the comedy as a contrast to chaos
and order. The stage design shows the castle as orderly and the forest below as
chaotic. It is the balance of chaos and order. After all, there would be no
order if there’s no chaos.
Even the costumes show order and chaos. The kingdom of
Theseus is well-dressed with a touch of Westernized clothing while the female
cast are dressed in traditional Greek as it was supposed to be. The faerie
realm is the mixed up of the two which is also chaotic.
But to add more chaos to it, this is the first time I watch
a play that is totally bilingual. Some lines were in English and some in
Tagalog. But the story is quite clear. Comparing to the many versions I’ve
seen, this is the best and the funniest. Even though Midsummer’s night is a
comedy, it is still best to be seen for R-13 audience. It can be compared to
sexy comedy. The characters of this Shakespeare piece are all sensual.
What makes this production unique is the immersive
experience. Forget the traditional set up of theater where the stage is
upfront. The stage is right in front of the audience and the actors can pass by
your seat in the duration of the play.
For Mr. Siguion-Reyna, he would love to do Shakespeare again. He would like to do Corolianus because it is a political piece and very timely. Watch Pangarap Ng Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-Araw with Audie Gemora as Oberon, Jackie Lou Blanco as Hypolita, Liesl Batucan as Titania on a
limited run at CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute (side entrance of CCP). For more
theatrical stage productions, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook .
