A sardonic peek into artists’ lives

After a critically-acclaimed run last April, the UP Playwright’s Theater’s production of my good friend Floy Quintos’ Fluid returns to the Teatro Hermogenes Ylagan at the UP Faculty Center under the direction of Alex Cortez. It will have performances on Aug. 18, 20, 25 and 27 at 7 p.m., and Aug. 21, 22 and 28 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Fluid, a prize-winner in the 2003 Palanca Awards for Literature, is a biting, sardonic peek into the lives of Filipino painters, theater people, musicians and other artists as they elbow their way and make beso-beso in a world full of compromise and patronage. Critics have been unanimous in praising the production for its clever plot, its streamlined dialogue, unpredictable twists and turns and the effortless elegance of Alex Cortez’s production.

"Fluid began as a writing exercise last year. Almost a decade had passed since my last major work for theater, and I thought it would be fun to try and stretch the muscles again. I wanted to veer away from the heavy, historical stuff that I was used to doing. I wanted to write something modern and unstructured. I wanted to put into this exercise all the experience I had working in the cultural scene. So I wrote it all down and, thankfully, the stretching exercise seemed good enough to win a prize in last year’s Palanca. A second prize, there being no first. But at least, I could joke that Fluid was second to none," shares Floy.  

Praise was also heaped on the brilliant performances of the actors. For the re-staging, the original cast returns to reprise their roles. Anna Bitong plays Mira, a domineering art patroness in search of the world’s next art star. Mira thinks she has found him in Amir, a tortured painter played by Ebong Joson, who is agonizing over his inability to sell art. Jomari Jose and Lex Marcos play Jom and Aben respectively, two struggling theater actors debating over Broadway and Nationalist Theater, while trying to make their own relationship work. Frances Makil also returns as Renata, the addled coordinator of a Philharmonic Orchestra trying to outwit the dictates of Simone, a flighty events coordinator played with inspiring giddiness by Stella Cañete. All six characters play the game of art, life and compromise, only to find in the end that it’s all fluid.

Fluid, during its initial run, became a hit with artists, students and people working in advertising, movies and television. The seemingly pretentious and precious subject of art is jarringly juxtaposed against the everyday concern of money, sex, compromise and survival. All in all, despite the impression that the play sees to lampoon the art scene, Fluid   actually is a long and loving look at human beings who just happen to make art.

I cannot think of anyone who has created a more dazzling, hilarious and colorful tapestry of people – who are also familiar – oh so real – and are so beautiful – than Floy Quintos. Floy has done a lot of "serious" literary works – but Fluid to me, is Floy’s best. And, yes – it’s second to none – just like Floy.  

(For ticket reservations, please call Dulaang UP office at 926-1349 or 920-5301 local 6441.)

Kuwento Ng Pag-Ibig

Another good friend of mine, Arnold Reyes, is also making a splash in the theater scene. Together with Julia Clarete, they play Florante and Laura in The Actors’ Repertory Theater (THE ART) adaptation of Francisco Balagtas’ Florante at Laura titled Kuwento ng Pag-Ibig nina Florante at Laura; Aladin at Flerida.  It will have performances on Aug. 14 and 15 at the San Sebastian College Auditorium. It will also have provincial performances on Aug. 21, 22, Sept. 18 and 19 at the BSU Gym in Batangas City; Aug. 28 at the Casa del Nino Gym in San Pedro, Laguna and Sept. 5 at the Tanauan Gym II in Tanauan City, Batangas.

THE ART, founded by its artistic director Edith S. Mandigma, is a touring production which aims to familiarize students with foreign and Filipino classics through the performing arts. Among its roster of talents are Arnold Reyes, Cris Villanueva, Toffee Calma, Bianca Lapus, Zed Carrion, Cedric Nicomedes, Marnie Lapus and Julia Clarete.

Kuwento ng Pag-Ibig nina Florante at Laura; Aladin at Flerida is adapted and directed by Edith S. Mandigma, who has nothing but high praises for Arnold.

Mandigma directed Arnold in his first theater outing in 1991 as the gentleman caller in Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie. In 2000, Mandigma directed Arnold again in William Shakespeare’s tragic play Hamlet, which could have been a difficult project if not for the collaboration between the actor and the director, which helped in achieving what they aspired for – artistic excellence.

A year after, Mandigma handled Arnold in another Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream where he wowed audiences with his singing voice and dancing prowess  as Lysander. The play was so successful that it ran for two consecutive school years.

Also in the title roles of Kuwento ng Pag-Ibig nina Florante at Laura; Aladin at Flerida  are Cris Villanueva as Aladin and Adelfa Arguel as Flerida.

(For inquiries, you may contact Jocelyn Claridades at 743-4883 or through mobile numbers 0920-9228820 or 0927-6182462.)