Theater Review : Artist Playground' Happiness is a Pearl 2017

ARTIST PLAYGROUND Happiness Is a Pearl under the direction of Paul Jake Paule, starring Catherine Go / Micah Musa / April Rosales as MARI, Ira Ruzz / Sheena Ramos / Ahlyxon Juanne Grecia Leyva as MARIA and Glen Asaytona / TJ dela Paz / Julian Roxas / Arvin Trinidad as KENJI.
Apart from the picturesque theatre the play picked for screening (which makes the venue, Arts Above, a destination by itself), here are the top three things I liked about the play:

1. How the lead actor and actresses carried out their role. Imagine enacting a role and an accent far from your native tongue and being able to deliver the culture of the character in the mere play of accent - it’s absolutely talent! The actor and actresses are deeply in character, you will feel what they feel and you will be engaged in their struggles.

2. The musical score and their creative and symbolic use of dance, specifically tango, in depicting different emotions including the act of love and break up. The transition of the musical score from mellow to comical to upbeat will already bring you to the highs and lows of the scenes, what more if the play added a touch of dance movements to deliver sensual and intimate emotions of the characters - it’s ingenious! To tell you, they innovated tango, kept its authenticity but heightened it to a level of expressing the climax and humor of every scene.

3. The wisdom of the director, Paul Jake Paule, in explaining certain details of the play (so get a chance to ask him questions after watching). After finishing the play, you thought you knew it all but wait until the director answer questions you thought are pretty obvious. Fortunately, with the knowledge and wit of the director, you will understand the cultural and historical background of the play including symbolisms that will make you take a look at life, love and relationships totally different from when you first walked in the theatre.

The cast of Artist Playground' Happiness is a Pearl 2017 

I must also commend the layout of the stage that is unique from everything else I’ve seen - a little space that was resourcefully maximized in demonstrating transitions - simple but brilliant and creative.

Don't forget to catch this play on August 25 to September 17 (Fridays : 8PM / Saturdays : 3PM and 8PM and Sunday 3PM and 8PM) at Art Above Artist Playground, 112 West Venue Building, West avenue, Quezon City.

More Photos of Artist Playground' Happiness is a Pearl 2017 at Teatro Pinas official page.

Written : Maricor Cortez
Photography & Edited : AXL Guinto

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