Take a Closer look

The latest theater company in town, Red Turnip Theater, opened its maiden theatrical production Closer last Oct. 4.

Patrick Marber’s acclaimed play is directed by Ana Abad Santos, with a  cast that features Angel Aquino, Marc Abaya, Bart Guingona and Cris Villonco. The stage play is about two couples who exchange partners over the course of the play and the intricacies involved in their relationships with each other.

Marber debuted Closer in London in 1997. Closer won for Marber a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play the following year, as well as the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award for Best Foreign Play.

The 2004 film adaptation by Mike Nichols which starred Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman and Clive Owen maybe more familiar to audiences. Here is the trailer of the film adaptation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i1SlznIaZk.

One of the four founding members of Red Turnip, Jenny Jamora has commissioned her sister, film director Marie Jamora, for the trailer for Philippine audiences. Marie recently received critical praise for her Ang Nawawala from Cinemalaya 2012 and creates a visually stunning trailer that has the makings of a viral video. Watch it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynfJqS4VQ08.

Two of the cast members, both TV and film actors Angel Aquino and Marc Abaya, make their stage debut with Closer.

More and more mainstream actors are crossing over to the theater world and it is exciting for audiences to be able to experience the material with personalities that they have only seen on the big screen or television.

Completing the cast are Cris Villonco and Bart Guingona, who are also very seasoned actors in both stage and mainstream media.

Don’t miss Red Turnips’ first production of Closer, as the material promises to move audiences on many levels, with a stellar cast to boot.

Closer runs until Oct. 27 at Whitespace. Watch it on Friday at 9 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 3 p.m. with 8 p.m. shows for the last two Sundays. Whitespace is located at 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld (with tel. no. 891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) and also at 215-0788/0917-537-8313, or through the Red Turnip Theater Facebook page.