The Rep does a Pinoy play for the young
Gilda Cordero Fernando was a short story writer who first made her mark with the groundbreaking “The Butcher, the Baker, the Candlestick Maker” (1962) and went on to become an essayist, book publisher, painter with a distinctive style, theater producer, specialist in antiques, some kind of New Age guru, anti-Marcos activist and Inquirer columnist, writing until she was in her early 80s.
Later in her career, she turned to writing short stories for children, including “The Magic Circle,” which had been adapted into a play by the playwright Rody Vera and now further adapted into English for Repertory Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences (RTYA), with music and lyrics by Ejay Yatco, who is also the musical director.
Direction is by Joy Virata.
Magical world
In “Jepoy and the Magic Circle,” Jepoy is a poor but spirited boy who journeys into the magical world with his loyal pet dog, unfortunately named Galis. Along the way they meet Tikbalang, Kapre and Engkanto. These are fearsome, supernatural creatures in Philippine mythology but in this tale they are sympathetic beings fighting for their home.
Playing Jepoy are actors Noel Comia Jr. (a Cinemalaya-award winning actor), and two up-and-coming talents: Yhuan Gatbunton and Elian Dominguez. Galis will be played by Czar Decena, Francis Gatmaytan and Cara Barredo. Another lead character is Aling Barang, a cheerful washerwoman known for her colorful daster and peculiar laughter. She will be played by Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and Ring Antonio.
This is only the second Filipino musical for the Rep, the first being “Quest for the Adarna” by Luna Griño-Inocian, with music by Rony Fortrich.
“I’ve always made sure that our productions could keep the attention and enjoyment of children,” said director Virata in an interview. “The Filipino playwrights and composers (Griño-Inocian and Fortich and now Vera and Yatco) are very familiar with our productions and how they are staged. I also work very closely with them in the development of the script and score. I have [to], of course, still observe how ‘Jepoy’ will go but I am confident the audiences will enjoy it.”
Virata’s company does not use child actors unless the script calls for it; RTYA uses professional adult actors in professional productions using material that is meant for young audiences. “When we used child actors, they have never given any trouble as to discipline,” she said. “They often know their songs, dialogue and choreography before the adult actors do.”
She added, “They listen and learn from the adult actors. They are always eager and open to direction. They also have very supportive parents. Many of our child actors have gone on to become professional theater actors. I try not to choose material that requires child actors because of the very restrictive laws for child actors.”
Unaccented English
But if they do, the director said, “they need to be home schooled. Our actors have very varied school backgrounds. Most of them have finished school. I do require that they speak good unaccented English. For ‘Adarna’ I did not have to be strict about this. Same with ‘Jepoy’ although I have a few whose accent need a bit of reworking.
“The great difficulty is in the depth of their understanding of the English language. It is evident that they need to read more English literature. And in every production I try to expose them to all the arts.”
In choosing a script, working with an original script or directing, Virata’s main concern is the children: “Will they understand and get the message, will they be encouraged to pay attention, no matter how old they are? I always drill this into the mindset of the actors. It is their job to make the children pay attention, to make them listen to the story. I think we have been successful in this. We’ve had 800 children below 10 years of age in our audiences and we never had a problem.”
She raved, “Filipinos are the most talented people in the world and the actors have always delivered.”
“Jepoy and the Magic Circle” starts its run Oct. 5 at the Rep’s new home at Eastwood Citywalk. Call 0966-9054013.
