What happens when you gather 40, young high school students to outwit, outplay, and outlast one another in order to survive?
Sipat Lawin Ensemble collaborates with Australian playwrights David Finnigan, Jordan Prosser, Sam Burns-Warr, and Georgie McAuley on "Battalia Royale", a live-action game and a loose adaptation of Koushun Takami's 2001 novel, "Battle Royale." The show runs Feb. 21-23, 2012, 7:30 p.m. at the CCP Promenade. All performances are open to the public, with pay-what-you-can rates.
A controversial and hugely popular text, "Battle Royale" has since been produced as a film and a manga series. Sipat Lawin's production is the first loose stage adaptation of Takami's novel.
The story follows a class of 15-year-old high school students who leave on a school trip but are kidnapped, then forced into a deadly game. The rules: kill each other or die.This suspenseful, action-packed piece is made up of a cast of 40 seasoned performers. No fourth wall here, as the audience is made part of their deadly game, making "Battalia Royale" perhaps the most exciting theater experience this season.
Bodjie Pascua guest-stars as class adviser and head game master. The students are played by graduates of Philippine High School for the arts.
Other guest performers include Tanghalang Pilipino actor Marco Viana, university theater student players from Mapua Tekno Teatro, Dulaang Perpetual, students from National University, and YouTube teen icon Kevin Vitug.
Award-winning sound designer and composer Teresa Barrozo and prolific jazz rock band Radioactive Sago Project take care of the sounds and music.
Known as an open-to-the-public, outdoor theater company, the Sipat Lawin Ensemble aims to bring theater performance outside the theater’s traditional four walls.
For show buying, sponsorships, inquiries, and other information, call SLE 0917-5008753 or (02)964-5949 or e-mail sipatlawin.ensemble@gmail.com. Like Battalia Royale’s community page on Facebook to get live updates on the show’s progress. Follow on Twitter (@SipatLawin) and Facebook (Sipat Lawin Ensemble), and subscribe to youtube.com/sipatlawin.