Blood sugar theater magic

You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip, but you can sure as hell paint it red. — Zenaida Amador

Reminds me of the Avengers assembling, or somebody putting that Dream of a Team together — this gang of five theater-heads collectively known as Red Turnip. Let’s not dwell on who Iron Man or the Air Jordan is in the joint, what’s important is that these five actors who are also five close friends — with very impressive theater CV’s — have chosen to accept the mission at hand: present “contemporary plays, modern stories with an experiential angle, challenging material…” — which are becoming rarer and rarer with the riot of flamboyantly loud musicals plumed with gaudy costumes and all-too familiar tunes that have mesmerized most of the theater-going public. 

At the recent launch of Red Turnip at Borough in The Podium, actor Jamie Wilson introduced each of them. Jenny Jamora (“The first person who memorizes her lines, knows her blocking…  Every time I go onstage with her, I don’t have to worry!”). Topper Fabregas (“There’s never a dull moment with him — onstage and backstage.”). Ana Abad Santos (“She directed Hamlet, and it was such a tremendously joyful experience to be allowed to portray Shakespeare in a Mad Max setting.”). Cris Villonco (“What I love about Cris as an actor and a person is that she’s very generous.”). Rem Zamora (“He gets things done — what every theater company needs”).

Jenny was one of the leads in Paul Fleischman’s Mind’s Eye. She was nominated for an Aliw Award for her performance in The Blue Room. Topper was last seen as Robert Castin in Repertory Philippines’ Boeing Boeing. Cris did a spate of shows in 2012 for Tanghalang Pilipino, the Rep, Resorts World Manila, Atlantis Productions, Dulaang UP and PETA. Rem was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The 39 Steps. And Ana is a multi-nominated actress and director. She appears in films as well, most recently in Sundance-awardee Metro Manila.

These five have formed a new theater group that threatens to paint the town bloody red. As Jamie puts it, brace yourself for “thought-provoking, exciting, vibrant, experimental theater” courtesy of Red Turnip.

Jenny Jamora explains that the alliance sprang forth from their collective wish three years ago to stage challenging plays that are usually relegated to the margins, emotionally-involving productions that could involve and illuminate audiences.

“We found each other,” Jenny says. “There’s a synchronicity in finding the right friends who have the same mindset. What better way to spend your career in the arts with the people you love, creating the things that you love and sharing it with everybody around us? We love material that is emotionally involving and powerful, really punches you in the gut. We hope everybody is able to experience that with us.”

It began with five friends wanting to stage “the kind of shows that made them want to become actors in the first place, and continue to electrify them to this day.”

Just five individuals determined to have fun onstage, maybe touch hearts, dazzle the senses and blow not a few minds in the process.

And, while at it, hopefully even energize the hell out of Philippine theater.

* * *

Red Turnip’s maiden presentation is Closer by Patrick Marber, featuring actors Marc Abaya, Angel Aquino, Bart Guingona and Cris Villonco. Direction by Ana Abad Santos, technical direction and lighting design by John Batalla, set design by Gino Gonzales, sound design by Jethro Joaquin, and costumes by Raven Ong.

Closer will be performed from Oct. 4 to 27, Fridays at 9 p.m., Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. (except for Oct. 12) and Sundays at 3 p.m. and with 8 p.m. shows for the last two Sundays at Whitespace, 2314 Chino Roces Ave. extension, Makati City.

For show-buying inquiries, call 0908-8829750. Tickets available at TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph), also at 215-0788 / 0917-537-8313.

The next play to be tackled is Mike Bartlett’s Cock.

Cris Villonco

What do you love about theater?

I love the spontaneity, the “in the moment” situation that you are in when faced with a co-actor or just being alone on that stage, and the process of diving into material for two months and letting the “magic” happen.

When was the first time you wanted to be an actor and how would you describe that moment when you had the epiphany?

I watched a Repertory Philippines show called Gigi with Michael Williams and Patty Manahan as the leads. I was eight years old. I loved the music and the costumes; I became an instant Patty Manahan fan and Michael Williams, my crush. I knew I wanted to sing onstage. The love for acting came much later. I didn’t think I was ready for straight plays and there were times I doubted myself. But working with such passionate, intense, and such generous directors and actors built my confidence over time.

What’s wrong with theater in the Philippines and how could Red Turnip help turn things around?

I think a Philippine theater actor’s dream is to be able to do theater on a full-time basis. Sadly, the support for Philippine theater is not enough to provide the actors with a salary that could support ourselves, thus we find other means of support such as television and film — or if we’re lucky, a corporate job that accommodates our crazy schedule.

What is the dream play that you want to stage for Red Turnip?

I think these first two plays have such strong material. I am so lucky that Ana cast me for the role of Alice, which is my dream role. As for Cock, this is also Red Turnip’s baby, I first saw this show in New York last year and strongly urged the others to sit down and have a reading. Fortunately, they all seemed to agree that Cock would be a great addition to our first season. So, what more could I ask for?

Rem Zamora

What do you love about theater?

The energy.

When was the first time you wanted to be an actor and how would you describe that moment when you had the epiphany?

I was five when I auditioned for a school program and I didn’t make the cut.  I went to the first rehearsal and asked to be auditioned again and I got in. It was “downhill” from there...

What’s wrong with theater in the Philippines and how could Red Turnip help turn things around?

The big theater companies mainly concentrate on musicals. Nothing wrong with that but the straight plays are suffering. We hope to change that.

 What is the dream play that you want to stage for Red Turnip?

 Cock by Mike Bartlett.

Jenny Jamora

What do you love about theater?

The portrayal (or, if I’m acting, the performance) of a character’s journey: the evolution that happens over rehearsals, and finally — live — through that two-hour period on stage.

When was the first time you wanted to be an actor and how would you describe that moment when you had the epiphany?

When I watched the making of Miss Saigon, I immediately got sold on the prospect of doing theater. Watching the casting process until the producers finally found Lea Salonga, Monique Wilson and the Filipino cast, costume fittings, Nick Hytner explaining the set, the sitzprobe, technical rehearsals — I was riveted. I needed to be part of something like that. I joined drama club that year.

What’s wrong with theater in the Philippines and how could Red Turnip help turn things around?

Spectacle does draw a crowd. But sometimes spectacle here is equated to the largeness of a production and the complexity of its sets. Red Turnip will help redefine spectacle to be the complexity and depth of the characters and relationships being portrayed on stage.

What is the dream play that you want to stage for Red Turnip?

Every play put on the table and voted on unanimously by the Turnips becomes my dream play of the moment. But there’s a concept that’s brewing in my head that still needs to be written. And a feasibility study would have to be done on it as well. Yes, I said “feasibility study.”

Topper Fabregas

What do you love about theater?

There’s nothing quite like it. A show isn’t merely a show. It’s a shared experience between the actor and the audience. It’s absolutely in the moment, spontaneous and organic. It’s a living, breathing thing so no two shows will ever be the same. That’s what I think, anyway. It’s wonderful to be a part of that experience. 

When was the first time you wanted to be an actor and how would you describe that moment when you had the epiphany?

My first show was Trumpets’ The Lion The Witch and Wardrobe back when I was 15. I had auditioned on a dare. And I wasn’t a “theater kid” so the rehearsal process was very difficult for me. Didn’t know what I was doing. I remember the first time I stepped onstage sa Meralco Theater and looked out into the audience area. I was so overwhelmed. Ang laki!

I finally got to my first show. I took my bow and then was on this constant high throughout the rest of the night. When I got home, I was exhausted but I couldn’t sleep! That’s when I knew that this was what I wanted to do forever. Or at least for a very long time. Adik! 

What’s wrong with theater in the Philippines and how could Red Turnip help turn things around?

I think “going to the theater” isn’t part of a lot of people’s vocabulary. Which is a shame cause there’s such an abundance of talent around. Ang daming shows! Every time I meet someone new and they find out that I’m a theater actor, I usually get, “Theater? Ay, I want to watch more theater!” But then they don’t? Or they only equate theater with the foreign tours that stop by Manila. 

It’s really expensive to market productions and get the word out. Or to get support for our locally-produced shows. We’re hoping to shift things a little. Maybe think outside the box? We also feel there’s a huge, untapped market of potential theatergoers who want to see the kind of material we’re excited about as well. We hope to spark their interest in live theater. They come to our shows and love the work we put out. And then maybe begin to patronize other theater companies as a result? We start to really build a steady audience, not just for Red Turnip but for everyone else in the community.

What is the dream play that you want to stage for Red Turnip?

The Norman Conquests. It’s a trilogy with six characters and each play is set in a different part of this house: the garden, the living room and dining room. The stories in all three happen simultaneously so each play connects with the other. But each play stands alone and you can watch it in any order. It’s amazing! They performed it in-the-round at Circle in the Square Theatre in New York. One of my favorite theatergoing experiences ever. 

Ana Abad Santos

What do you love about theater?

The space.

When was the first time you wanted to be an actor and how would you describe that moment when you had the epiphany?

My mom took me to a play in New York when I was around nine. It took my breath away. It was love at first sight.

What’s wrong with theater in the Philippines and how could Red Turnip help turn things around?

In the Philippines the general perception of going to the theater is to see a musical. We would like to help change that by producing straight plays. No singing no dancing. Just great actors saying the best lines ever written.

 What is the dream play that you want to stage for Red Turnip?

  Closer by Patrick Marber.