This September, Dulaang UP brings to the stage one of the best-known and best-loved classics in theater, Anton Chekhov’s "The Seagull", featuring the latest English translation by Tom Stoppard, and the Filipino translation titled "Ang Tagak" by the late National Artist for Theater and Literature, Rolando Tinio.
This production, directed by Dulaang UP founder and former artistic director, Prof. Tony Mabesa, will be staged both in English and Filipino, starting on Sept. 9, 2012, at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, UP Diliman.
Stoppard’s adaptation premiered in New York in 2001 and featured a star-studded cast that included Meryl Streep as Irina, Kevin Kline as Trigorin, and Natalie Portman as Nina, under the direction of Mike Nichols. This is the first time a Philippine production is staging Stoppard's multi-awarded modern-language translation.
The plot revolves around young Konstantin Treplev, a budding playwright who has big dreams of creating a new art form. He premieres his first play which stars his great love, Nina Zarechnaya. Unfortunately for Treplev, his fierce determination to revolutionize art is challenged by his mother Irina's utter disregard for his efforts and Nina’s affections drifting away towards his mother’s lover, the successful novelist Boris Trigorin.
Through "The Seagull", Chekhov masterfully painted an intimate, poignant and at times funny portrait of human beings beset by desires, passions and follies, and haunted by questions about love, commitment, art and compassion.
The production stars theater luminaries Ana Abad Santos, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Ces Quesada, Leo Rialp, Menggie Cobarrubias, Jeremy Domingo, Alfonso Deza and Stella Cañete Balucas; and promising actors Carlo Tarobal, Zafrullah Masahud, Karen Gaerlan and Nadine Samonte.
Associate direction by Arkel Mendoza, stage management by Lexi Bartolome, costume design by Eric Pineda, set design and technical direction by Ohm David, lights design by Meliton Roxas Jr., sound design by Jethro Joaquin, photography by Dino Dimar and make-up by Christian Alvarado.
"The Seagull/Ang Tagak" runs September 19-October 7, 2012 at the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, Palma Hall, University of the Philippines Diliman.
For sponsorship and ticket inquiries, call the Dulaang UP Office 9261349, 9818500 local 2449 or 4337840. Look for Camille Guevarra or Samanta Clarin.