Red Turnip Theater presents ‘Closer’

MANILA, Philippines - Red Turnip Theater announces its maiden production, a staging of Patrick Marber’s acclaimed play Closer.

Directed by Ana Abad Santos, the cast features Angel Aquino, Marc Abaya, Bart Guingona and Cris Villonco. The show will run from Oct. 4 to 27 — Fridays at 9 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. (except for Oct.12 [no shows]), Sundays at 3 p.m., with 8 p.m. shows for the last two Sundays — at Whitespace, 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Ext.), Makati.

Patrick Marber debuted Closer in London in 1997, and the play won him 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 when it was staged in New York the year after that (it was also nominated for a Tony). While it’s enjoyed numerous productions all around the world, genereal audiences may be most familiar with the work due to its 2004 film adaptation by Mike Nichols that starred Julia Roberts, Jude Law, Natalie Portman, and Clive Owen.

“Closer is one of those works that excites us as actors and lovers of theater,” says Villonco. “It’s an example of the kind of shows we want to do, which is why we formed Red Turnip.” 

This production will mark film actress Angel Aquino’s debut in a stage play. Aquino was most recently seen in Erik Matti’s On The Job, which debuted at the Directors’ Fortnight at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. TV and film actor Marc Abaya, son of pioneering director Marilou Diaz-Abaya and frontman of rock band Kjwan, also makes his stage debut with Closer.

A trailer for the play can be found on YouTube. Search “closer red turnip” or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynfJqS4VQ08.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) and also at 215-0788 and 0917-5378313, or through the Red Turnip Theater Facebook page. Opening night tickets are only available through Red Turnip.