Honestly, I'm not really familiar with this work of Balagtas. But being well-packaged and reading great reviews made me interested to see the show. The almost 2.5 hours I've spent watching was all worth it. It was a great way to forget my past disappointment. I agree that it's one of the best productions so far for 2008 (one because for me Hamlet is also great).
Despite Archaic Language
"Orosman and Zafira" is a komedya written by Francisco "Balagtas" Baltazar. One can only expect that the language used is really archaic (e.g. pangungusap=pagsasalita, sukab, talikdan,talastas etc.). It's like Shakespearean English. But you shouldn't fear watching because it's easy to understand as the performance assisted in delivering the message in every line uttered. But honestly, I expected more rhythmic delivery of lines. Nonetheless, majority of the actors were effective in delivering such archaic language with proper emotions to help the audience understand the conversation (understand the context).
Experienced Ethnicity in Music
The entire music IS definitely ethnic. And this IS a REAL MUSICAL. The identity of characters, the emotions, and the scenes were really transmitted well through the musical scoring. Each tribe had a certain sound so the audience could clearly define which is which. Meanwhile, a certain sound (and singing approach) was also assigned to each character (in aid of developing their "character"). You can differentiate if it's "Zafira" or "Gulnara" singing.
The music is quite tricky to actually perfect each note. While not all the actors sing well, it's a non-issue.
Dance as Multiple Metaphors
Orosman at Zafira showcased a well executed form of 'interpretative dancing'. It's not the ordinary lyrics-dance-interpretation we used to do in grade school or high school (or maybe even in college). Dexter Santos has perfectly utilized dance to communicate the unspoken part of the material. For
Dance as War: No real fighting scenes that you usually see on movies, TV-shows, or even in some stage plays. While fight scenes in some stage plays were choreographed and somehow appear as dance, for O+Z it's the other way around. And I just love it. Different choreography for each tribe (there were three tribes). It helped the audience identify with the characters.
Dance as Sex: Of course, there were some kissing scenes. But to translate the message better, dance was used as a metaphor for sex. Perfect.
Dance for Various Emotions: Name it, anger, passion, despair, love, everything was communicated through dance.
Production Design
Given that the stage is just small, Tuxqs was able to design it in a manner that transitions in scenes were clear (three-door backdrop of sorts). Aside from that, improvisation can also be noted with the use of "movable walis tingting-like props" (sorry, can't think of proper description) -- to project that the setting was in a garden or in the woods as well as to aid the audience to imagine (visualize) a travelling scene.
It's also interesting to note that weapons they used served as ethnic musical instruments (or it can also be: musical instruments served as symbols for weapons).
Vague Ending
It's vague but it didn't make the play bad. It's vague in the sense that after watching the play you'd ask yourself "Orosman didn't die, right? So what happened between O and Z and their relationship?"
Few Negatives
Of course, nothing's perfect (but these negatives are VERY MUCH FORGIVABLE). The 'slow motion' scene with Orosman and Zafira just didn't work for me. I know it meant something but it's just didn't hit me the right way. Natawa ako. Actually kami. But maybe that's the point, to put subtle humor.
Hindi kaya dapat ang title eh "Zafira" lang? Wala lang.
LOVE. LUST. TREACHERY. VIOLENCE. All these emotions were well-executed in a REALLY wonderful musical adaptation of a Filipino Classic Literature. Catch Orosman and Zafira it's extended until next weekend. A very commendable production for a first directorial venture of Dexter Santos!
Plus! Plus! Plus!
This is so far the only production I've watched that really amazed me as nearly everyone is good looking (boys & girls). Wee! As my friend mentioned in her text message, "Ang daming kong crush sa play." And yes, a lot are really 'crushable'. It's a cheap (P250: regular, P150: for discounted ticket) great theater treat, indeed!
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Does "Orosman at Zafira" tell us that Balagtas is a Feminist?
4 comments:
More likely Balagtas just wrote a weak character. But it's interesting to note that the two female leads have this madonna/whore thing going.
Good point. Probably, Zafira was just "too strong" (or it has also something to do with the projection).
Re: whore thing
It's also interesting that they belong in a Muslim tribe.
Nah, it's the writing. He had too little to do.
You can overlook the muslim thing. If it weren't for references to Allah you couldn't even tell.
i half-agree na dapat "Zafira" nga lang ang title. pero remember that the director opted to remove several scenes and several characters. baka sa orihinal na teksto mas nag-shine si Orosman.
ps crush ko si boulasem =)
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