Theater Review : Tanghalang Pilipino' Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (A Midsummer Night’s Dream)

Last September 30, I was invited to watch the theatre play entitled “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” based on by William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, translation by Rolando Tinio, directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna. It was held in CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute.
Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw is about a story on how love operates differently in every single being. Here are some of the couple in the story:

In the first scene, I can say that Teseo and Hipolita’s story is on a one-sided love story tale, where Teseo forced Hipolita to marry him. Hipolita seems to accept her fate and started learn how to love Teseo.

The second interesting love story is between Hermia & Lysander, in which the father of Hermia orchestrates a marital engagement with a different man that is Demetrio. Later on, the two lovers still fight for their love and try to run away from the kingdom of Teseo.

Lastly, the love story between Oberon and Titanya (king and queen of the fairies), the love suddenly diminish as they fight over an issue of ownership. Their love story is unique as the quarrel involves some magic and deception.

I really admire the play as it uses both Filipino and English. Filipino is indeed a beautiful language, most surprisingly, when it is used in narrating William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
I like how they transition the mood from being serious into something comedic – one good example is when Demetrio and Lysander is chasing Helena and suddenly it went into accidentally kissing each other instead.

Another scene that I like is when Bottom and his friends started to perform a Pyramus and Thisbe kind of theatrical play. Bottom as Piramo while Flute as Tisbe is something to look out for, it was intentionally sloppy, yet the comedic value of the tandem made the whole audience laughing their lungs out.

In conclusion, the whole setup of the story is no ordinary. By watching the play, you will understand and enjoy how love seems basic yet you will not and cannot outgrow it.

Extended Run: Oct 21 8pm, Oct 22 3pm, 8pm and Oct 23 3pm. Tickets at PHP 1200, 1000. Call 832 1125 loc. 1620/1621 or TICKETWORLD 891 9999. Get your tickets now!


Review : Tony Yson
Edited : AXL Guinto
Photos : Tanghalang Pilipino

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