The stage wasn’t fully completed, the venue wasn’t the actual venue of the performance and the press previews have always been a testing ground for performances such as theater plays to get feedback or to know what to change or improve but when I saw ‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan On Stage’, I was awestruck at how the story is still relevant even after more than two decades since it was first performed as a one-act play, or after almost ten years since the film adaptation which was both written and directed by Jun Robles Lana when he was still 19 (what was I doing when I was 19 years old?!) was released .
I must admit, I was completely blown away the first time I saw the 2015 film. Not just because it was a one-shot film, not just because of the incredible performances but because of the film as a whole. I mean, you’re telling a story in just one setting and with just three characters, it’s not the best recipe for an engaging film but with the kind of story it wants to tell and how it tells its story, by the end of the film, I conclude that writer and director Jun Lana is a genius.
Now the stage play. As anyone who is protective of something they love or admire, I was reserving myself until I saw it. Martin del Rosario as a first-time theater actor? Amazing! Ross Pesigan is like a chameleon being perfect in portraying whatever role he is in. And Elora Españo will blow your mind as she goes from a typical provincial girl to a badass still a provincial but progressive woman.
I was seated in the front row but on the side and if you’re planning to watch it, be as close to the stage as possible because there are details that you can notice even with the busy surroundings like the eye contact of the actors, the little movements from their faces to their bodies. These are some of the elements in the film that remain in the stage adaptation and it’s amazing how these are applied to add depth to the characters and the story.
But like the film, ‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan On Stage’ is a masterclass in tension building. From conversations of their experiences as strangers to friends in a time when there was a conflict between the military and communist insurgents, to revealing the truths about their identities and their hearts’ desires, the dialogues and their performances will give the audience an edge-of-your-seat and memorable experience.
But like other first performances, there is definitely room for improvement. But even as an audience, I am excited at how the stage adaptation will evolve, at how it will be better in the next performances. But what they presented is an almost perfect presentation. Something that I will remember for years.
4.5 OUT OF 5 STARS
Photo by Nazamel Tabares
‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan On Stage’ is written by Jun Robles Lana and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio. It’s the maiden production of IdeaFirst Live!, the theater arm of The IdeaFirst Company. It will run from March 1-23 at the PETA Theater.