By Gabriela Baron
Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Ateneo de Manila University, opened its curtains anew after three-year hiatus due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Tanghalang Ateneo featured French playwright Molière’s play “Tartuffe,” which was translated into Filipino by National Artist for Literature Rolando S. Tinio.
First performed in 1664, “Tartuffe” centers around a sanctimonious scoundrel who is taken into the household of Orgon, a wealthy man.
‘Historic return’
Ron Capinding, the play’s director, shared the challenges they faced in attempting to stage another play after three years.
Capinding said they started calling for auditions last November 2022. The cast had to practice for three hours daily.
“Itong taong ito, medyo mahirap kasi kakaunti ang nag-a-audition, they don’t even know if they can attend rehearsals… Baka mamaya may pandemic pa, baka mag-surge pa,” Capinding told PTV Digital Media.
“Buti, bumuti na nang bumuti ‘yung kalagayan and ‘yun na nga naka-open na kami at naka-rehearse na sila nang mabuti. So, very historic, medyo nakaka-goosebumps… halos magti-three years mayroon na kaming stage production,” he added.
Capinding said they were doubtful at first if many audiences would show up.
“Isa pang historic, ‘yung sisipot ang audience, kasi nga pati sila takot din. [Pero] nandiyan na, parang bumalik na,” he added.
“Ngayon… Sunday, rest [day]… mayroon namang nanonood. So hindi lang sa amin, parang pati audience e kating-kati. Wala nga kaming binebenta masyado, pero may dumarating pa rin. Hopefully after this week mas marami pa,” Capinding added.
‘Starting from scratch’
Majority of the cast are composed of first year students, Capinding said, adding that those in upper years had no theater experience in the past two years, so it was a major overhaul.
“Ito, mga trainee ito… Marami sa kanila [ay] freshmen, so ang dami nilang kailangang aralin,” he continued.
“Mayroong kaunting second year and third year [students], only because ‘yung mga second year and third year ay wala ring theater [experience] the past two years. So parang lahat [ay] freshman,” he added.
‘Bringing back the classic’
Because that’s what Tanghalang Ateneo is known for, said Capinding.
“Classic talaga? Mahirap ‘yun, mas madali ‘yung mga modern… It’s actually historic because we’re actually bringing back the tradition of Tanghalang Ateneo. That’s doing the classic,” he added.
“Kailangan, somebody opts to do classic, ibang karanasan din siya e. Hindi siya toilet humor, hindi siya slapstick, dapat wit talaga siya and that–poetry. Siguro ‘yun din ‘yung pinagmamalaki namin.”
“Tartuffe” is showing until April 1 at Rizal Mini Theater in Faber Hall of the Ateneo de Manila University.
Capinding said they are planning to stage another classic, “Salome” by Irish playwright Oscar Wilde and “Sintang Dalisay,” a Filipino adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet.” – cf
