The parody on the story of The Princess and the Pea by
Hans Christian Anderson, is making a Philippine theatre premiere this January
20 to 22 at the Tanghalang Yaman Ng Lahi Theater of Emilio Aguinaldo College in
Ermita Manila, this is Once Upon A Mattress from the book by Jay Thompson,
Marshall Barer and Dan Fuller and Music by Mary Rodgers.
The Manila staging is produce as their opening salvo for
2017 by Ephesus Teatron Group, Inc. They are the company behind the staging of
Once on This Island and The Ants and the Grasshoppers and other Children theater production.
Sweet Samaniego-Buchanan, President and Artistic
Directror of Ephesus said during its launching, that they are mostly product of
Repertory Philippines, and base on their trust, they want to provide unique
style of innovative and engaging theater to all schools of all levels.
Directing Once upon a Mattress is Steven Conde from Twin
Bill Theater, who made noise recently for his Suicide Inc and Dog Sees God
production. Conde reveal that it is lighter for him this time since the topic
is not that heavy to absorb, he point out that this Once Upon A Mattress is a
mobile theater that they want to introduce, it is a moving production to sum it
all.
Buchanan also emphasize that the choice of their venue is
perfect and a good move, maybe not a usual venue for theatre goers, but she
assure that Tanghalang Yaman Lahi Theater is quality at par for any production,
it is the venue of their past shows as well. Buchanan is also playing Princess
No. 12 in the said play.
Once Upon A Mattres is story of one kingdom where the
King is cursed and his Queen take over to control the land, but his son, Prince
Dauntless must find his Princess, but thge terror Queen must do something to
prevent it from happening, she sets rules and audition process for the Princess
to be, and thats where Princess Winnifred story begun.
Miss Saigon alumna Carla Guevara-Laforteza with Cara
Barredo alternately play the role of Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, while
The Voice finalist Nino Alejandro will act as Prince Dauntless. Milay Guinid is
the terror Queen Aggravain, while Hans Eckstein and Chino Villegas alternately play Sir Harry, the Queen’s
Champion arms. Playing King Sextimus is
Raymund Concepcion.
Other cast include Arion Sanchez, Steven Hotchkiss, Onyl
Torres, Alex Dagalea, Yanah Laurel, Jill Ita-as, Ayam Eckstein, Tina Macaraeg,
Mica Fajardo, Meggy Katigbak, Nicole Herrera, Ash factor, Vincent Pajara, Josh
Cabiladas Gry Gimena and Edrie Tan.
Artistic Team includes Pip Cefra and Jay Pangilinan for
the music, Joseph Mattheu is the light designer, Stephen Vinas for the
Choreography and Kayla Teodoro for the costume and set design.
Comments