February 22, 2021

REVIEW: Tanghalang Ateneo's password: 03d1pu5_R3x

Marian Rivera-Dantes' first theater production with Tanghalang Ateneo is a modern Filipino adaptation of one of Sophocle's greatest plays, Oedipus Rex. With the challenges we're facing in the new normal due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the production does not disappoint in portraying the current political set up which we are facing today.
The setting gives obvious similarities from Sophocle's times to our current status. The ensemble, played by Ateneo students who are in the Zoom setting, tells us that they are living in a quarantine set up which tells us that there's a great danger outside. Like them, we are praying for something to stop the danger so that we can be able to live normally again. 
Then here's Gabe Mercado, playing Lysanias, who pacifies the wails of the people for us to hope for the best. Edipo, or the local version of Oedipus, played by Yan Yuzon, portrays a strong man and cannot be fazed by his opponents and well followed by his supporters. Marian Rivera, as the VP, and Katski Flores as the modern-day oracle gave their in-dept dramatic impressions of their roles strongly based on Sophocle's characters.


The adaptation in Filipino contains a lot of very deep Filipino words, which Marian Rivera  admits that she had some difficulty into. But with the direction of Ronan Capinding and translation from Jopie Sanchez, it gave good context on the story and we should be thankful that the preservation of the Filipino language is rich on this production.

The Zoom setting gives editor a creative liberty to play on the frames of each character depending on the situation but it still makes us look forward as a live theater audience like we've used to. Tanghalang Ateneo's adaptation to technology has allowed us to continue to enjoy theater even at home.

You can watch password: 03d1pu5_R3x online, now streaming. You may get your digital tickets via Ticket2me at ticket2me.net/e/33027 starting at P100. 
 
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