Boy, PETA made sure that the viewer's three hundred bucks will not go kaput. Saw PETA's Batang Rizal last Saturday. Before a cloud of confusion emerges, let me point out that the PETA I'm talking about here pertains to Philippine Educational Theater Association, not the animal rights organization which also goes with the same acronym. Talk about copyright. I believe the latter is more concerned with protecting the animal welfare.
Where was I? Oh yes, Batang Rizal. The play basically limns the childhood days of our national hero. But it was not discoursed in a way that only the lovers of history would understand. The production team of the play has considered the show's viewers, which ranged from grade school to college students, and their prior knowledge about the theme. I must confess, I have but limited knowledge about the life history of Rizal. However, after watching the play, I became more acquainted with him and I took everything that I learned about Pepe to the bank.
Over-all the play was great. It actually reminded me of the theatrical performances by Gantimpala Theater Foundation. The actors were phenomenal. They spoke fluently and the intensity of their voices was just enough for people at the back and at the balcony to hear. The props, however, were not that grand, but it was nonetheless not disturbing. This is why I love the theater arts. It never fails to fascinate me. I am actually planning of enrolling myself to a drama class. After all, I was born with a gift of mimicry. I can use it as my foundation to further my theatrical skills.
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I am a self-confessed JZ junkie! Yes, JZ! As in Jessica Zafra! I have been religiously reading her books for a year now. I love her sense of irony and how she employs it. If you can notice, she addresses the mankind as a "she". Total feminist!