CAMBA, Meeko Angela R.

2015

Sept. 1,

BA Journalism (2014-09379)
Theatre 10

DUPs R n J:
Shakespeares famous tragedy localized for the contemporary Filipino audience

Romeo and Juliet has been a household favorite for Philippine theatre groups
for a couple of years now. Its a theatrical piece that a lot of people are familiar with
which in turn can be difficult to keep interesting for the audience. This is why
some theatre companies and/or groups make use of musical adaptations among
other devices to bring something new to an overly-familiar play.
Now, with Dulaang UPs modernized adaptation which they localized for the
Filipino audience, R and J again, like a snake, takes on a different skin.
Verona in Manila
Excitement crept in as the houselights gradually dimmed and smoke
machines filled the stage with a light gray fog that soon took the audience to the
world of Shakespeare.
The story took place in the fictional town of Verona in Global City, Manila,
where the warring houses of Capulets and Montegues was seen in the form of the
two opposing political families, Capule and Montes. Hopeless romantic R (Roco
Sanchez) meets slightly rebellious J (Francesca Go) at a club party and develops a
connection. The story unfolds in more or less similar fashionR ending his life
through drug overdose while in house arrest, after hearing about Js apparent
suicideexcept that in the end, the modern heroine decides to try her hand in life
despite her lovers tragic death.
The material truly did a great job in integrating modern culture and practices
of the youth in the original storyor at least of those who are part of the elite social
status. From the way that the romantic relationship between the two main
characters developed (shown in gradual progression in contrast to the
impulsiveness that was embraced by the original) to the interpretation of the kind of
relationship Mercutio had with Romeo (the former having concealed feelings for his
close friend), it was something that young audience members could very much
relate toand this was evident with how reactive the people were.

Laughter, side comments, and awestruck reactions were heard from all sides
of the house, proving how successful the adaptation was in connecting to the youth
its target audienceas well as older ones.
A focus on movement
It was obvious from the beginning that movement and dance choreography
were some of the main focus the production used to advance story-tellingfrom the
dance sequence that introduced the setting, to the pair numbers of R and J. I would
say that it was very effective especially for expounding how the relationship
between the two lovers developed. Through these, emotions that were beyond the
reach of dialogue were expressed.
Though it also became apparent that both Romeo and Juliet were better
dancers than they were actors.
Both Sanchez and Go often suffered from static phrasing and a lack of
spontaneity when it came to delivering linesparticularly straight English ones that
sounded a bit unnatural. Though they were able to translate their emotional
content, there was an obvious sense of unwanted anticipation on their part, in result
losing the phrasing that wouldve otherwise enhanced the shows appeal altogether.
In direct connection to this, I found the construction of lines in the material
aspect in general to be slightly confusingsometimes in conversational Taglish,
then switching to straight English. In the end, I found myself along with others from
the audience lost in trying to understand the dialogue instead of appreciating it
naturally. It wouldve helped greatly if they stuck to one form of language
throughout to make it more organic not only for the actors but for the ears of the
audience as well.

Despite its lows however, I still found the overall adaptation fresh and
entertaining. Dulaang UP, a theatre company that has brought to life awe-inspiring
adaptations in the past as well as original productions, once again proved how
innovative it can be, having successfully rebranded a well-known tragedy to a
modern and therefore relatable love story.