Does God sing Too? This line struck me as I reminisce the
press preview of 33 Variations, by the Red Turnip Theater last July 23, 2015 at
the Whitespace in Makati City. It made
me realize and think that I never saw a film or even a play yet that has God
sing, mostly it’s his angels who does chorus with all the heavenly prayers.
The said line was thrown by Clara Brandt (portrayed by
Ina Fabregas) recalling how her mom sing and was like talking to God, her mom
is Katherine (Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino) a musicologist doing study about
music variations by Beethoven, wherein the play raise more issues and getting
personal to the mother and daughter set up, while a love story and a story of
friendship also evolve. Beethoven’s life is also showcase intersperse with the
real scenes that happening in the play.
Red Turnip’s version I must say is one highly
intellectual to begin with, their attack on the story of Playwright Moises
Kaufman is somewhat more poignant, powerful plus the factor that they have the
good casting so far, I am saying this based on what I saw and not comparing to
the original or even revival of it in Broadway that I myself not seen so far.
But one thing that stood to me in this play is Teroy
Guzman who play Ludwig Van Beethoven, his eyes really speaks in every line and
you could feel his thoughts on the iconic character he is playing. Franco Chan who plays Mike Clark, the nurse
turn lover of Clara is also an eye candy of the play, his charm will get you
especially girls.
 |
| Franco Chan. |
I must admit that I am so impressed how Red Turnip maximizes
the stage, hey ‘they have the whole floor as the stage with great visuals on
the wall of Beethoven’s lyric sheet, that is so magical. One thing about it,
you don’t have to know or listen to Beethoven’s music to understand the story,
the play itself will reveal but it’s not a historical overload I guarantee.
Buencamino’s acting as Katherine being stricken with ALS
is also convincing, her gestures slowly showing some symptoms of the said disease
is credible enough, and it’s not gory or merciful in a way. Red Turnip founding member Jenny Jamora direct
this Manila’s staging of 33 Variations, a play with music.
33 variations is still showing up to August 23 at
Whitespace in Chino Roces Ave. Below are the schedules
JULY 31, 9:00 PM- FRIDAY
AUGUST 1, 8:00 PM- SATURDAY
AUGUST 2, 3:00 PM- SUNDAY
AUGUST 14, 9:00 PM- FRIDAY
AUGUST 15, 3:00 PM- SATURDAY
AUGUST 15, 8:00 PM- SATURDAY
AUGUST 16, 3:00 PM- SUNDAY
AUGUST 21, 9:00 PM - FRIDAY
AUGUST 22, 8:00 PM - SATURDAY
AUGUST 23, 3:00 PM - SUNDAY
AUGUST 23, 8:00 PM-SUNDAY
Comments