It opened last February 20. Despite the fact that it opened at the same day with 3 other stage productions, Arbol de Fuego was able to burn true and bright, capturing an audience that was left with pure theater wonder and enjoyment.
Showing till March, Arbol de Fuego is a stage piece worth your time and mind. This adaptation made by Rody Vera is so good that the actors was able to get the nuances that a Chekhov piece has. The humor and drama was clearly translated, adapted, shown by the actors and was enjoyed by the viewing public. Born in the mid-70's, some would say that I really don't know how it was then since I was just a kid at that time but this adaptation was so good that you are brought to see and feel what it was then.
Arbol de Fuego is a story about the decline of the rich hacienderos of Negros during the 70's and the rise of the rich working class. It is also about people letting go of the past and moving forward (the Jardeleza family - matriach Cherie Gil and Adjie -Jake Macapagal) and those that gets left behind even if we don't want too (Manoy Iking -Bembol Roco). It is also about people asking for recognition and their proper place in the new society (Nonoy Tiking - the new breed of businessmen played by Raffy Tejada and Dante, the young intellectual - Riki Benedicto).
The stage design was simple yet bear details that shows the period that is set at. The depth of the stage in PETA worked well in giving the needed space and dimension that the piece entails. That depth that gives intimacy and space depending on the scene. One of the things that I like with this play is the light designs - it is so photo-friendly! As a blogger, I make use of photographs in my article that I personally shot as much as possible and there is nothing more effective in sharing the experience but through images I have connection with.
The audience control that Cherie Gil has was truly felt whenever she's on stage. Not because she is known, but the acting magnetism that she has; coming from a family of actors. That character shifts that her role calls for was delivered flawlessly. Her facial expressions are a delight! Eyes speaking in volumes! A tear shining at one eye as she hears the news about the fate of the ancestral house. That ability to show both strength and weakness at the same time is truly a sign of her experience in acting. Ms. Cherie Gil is not only a versatile actress but an actress that gives her heart and soul to the role that she needs to give life to.
Bembol Roco plays the elderly help of the Jardeleza Family. Supporting role it may be but it has the ability to speak in volumes and deliver the last nail to seal and hold all together the message of Arbol de Fuego. He remembers the years past and has stayed in that moment due to old age. Something that we are all familiar with, may it be something that we have personally experienced at a point in our lives or has seen someone does it and has faded away. For me, his role is so vital that I am not simply touched because he died but because the fact that he represented those that we have left behind as we all move forward in our lives. Bembol Roco truly is an actor worth watching and if I am given the chance to act again on stage, I would love to share it with him.
All of the cast members delivered their piece flawlessly! They all have placed what they can offer and Loy Arcenas has truly woven a wonderful piece. They never went beyond their roles but simply gave what is needed and make sure that we, the audience, gets to relate with them, no matter what happens.
If I am to compare their performance that night from the reading that they have shown during the press conference, it was totally different! The character development was great! They were able to give true justice to the adaptation made by Rody Vera of Anton Chekhov's work! The way they breath into their character was so defined that they make you feel of people you may met in life regardless of time period. Like what Agatha Christie's Jane Marple character normally states, man's characteristic is something that crosses societal level and will reminds us of someone from somewhere.
The last thing worth mentioning about this production is the way they have made their souvenir program. It was definitely not your usual souvenir program piece! Packed in an enveloped that looks like your typical mail, inside are postcards bearing the faces of those involved in the production and folded papers bearing notes about the production. Arbol de Fuego will truly leave you smiling, crying and totally captivated that you won't feel the nearly 3 hours that you have spent watching it.
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Catch one of the shows this March of this wonderful stage production made by PETA at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. For ticket's inquiry, you can call PETA at 725 6244 or 0917 5765400 or Ticket World at ticketworld.com.ph / 891-9999.
Photos:
(All photos used were personally taken by me during one of their shows this February)
The set:
The cast and scenes:
(All photos used were personally taken by me during one of their shows this February)
The set:
The cast and scenes:
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