Tanghalang Ateneo opens 35th season with ‘Ang Oresteyas’

Ang Oresteyas, a condensed and highly contemporary version of Aeschylus’ trilogy, Oresteia, kicks off “Reimagining the Greeks,” Tanghalang Ateneo’s 35th Repertory Season. As in the original classic, the play explores the themes of revenge, murder and redemption with a focus on Orestes’ revenge of his father’s death in the hands of her aggrieved mother. Told in thirteen scenes, in modern Filipino and movements drawn from contemporary dance, Ang Oresteyas lays out the circumstances that provoke Orestes’ matricide, asks the jurors (the audience included) for a verdict, and highlights the dilemma of personal conscience in making moral decisions.

Palanca-award winner B.J. Crisostomo fashioned the text, while Ricky Abad and Myra Beltran, who also choreographed the play, serve as co-directors. Completing the artistic staff are Teresa Barrozo for music and sound design, Charles Yee and Chelsea Ong for production design, both supervised by Gino Gonzales; Jonjon Villareal for lighting design, and Reamur David for graphic design. Together, these artists collaborate with actors in constructing a third space on which ancient Greek texts may resonate on today’s stage.

Heading the cast are Nicolo Magno and Paul Jake Paule who alternate as Orestes, Frances Makil-Ignacio and Lesley Leveriza who take turns in the pivotal role of Klytemnestra, Orestes’ mother, while Brian Sy and Bok Pioquid swap appearances as Orestes’ father, Agammemnon. Delphine Buenacamino and Miela Sayo play Elektra, Joanna Lerio and Opaline Santos portray Kassandra, Joseph dela Cruz and Ian Lomongo essay the role of Agistos, while Arvin Trinidad plays Plyades.

Paul Jake Paule as Orestes

A chorus of energetic actors performs multiple parts – the dreaded Mandaragit and the more supportive Madreng Itim as well as the parts of narrators, townspeople, and palace personnel. Playing these demanding parts are: Angelique Basa, Raflesia Bravo, Guilbert Codog, JP Dayao, Rico Duran del Rosario, Joe-Nel Garcia, David Magbanua, Merdin Mojica, Leonides Pena, Randy Solis, Katherina Salta, and Glyssa Soriano.

Play dates:
July 10-13; 16-20; 23-26 — 7 pm
July 13, 20 — 2 pm

Venue:
Rizal Mini-Theater, Ateneo de Manila University

For inquiries and reservations, contact Angelique Basa at 0917-630-9097.

Tanghalang Ateneo is the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools, Ateneo de Manila University, growing from a fledgling band of student players to one of the country’s leading school-based theater companies.