Lomaad, Johanna Gwenn T. September 20, 2012 SPCM 1 W-3R Prof.
Grace Mendoza CEAT-BSEE 2011-04809 Shushugud: Touch of past, present and future issue The three- one act play held by Thea 107 class was successfully put into action last September 13, 2012 at the NCAS Auditorium, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The play entitled Shushugud: Ang Gulok, and DVD at ang mga Shushumenelyn was a three in one act play written by Chris Martinez directed and starred by students from Thea 107 Class. It was a big success for it was an interesting play that gathered a lot of viewers from freshmen to seniors and gave them a one of a kind play. From the title of the play, I was thinking that it was about a homosexual themed play but I was wrong. The play was all about deep love for someone and nation, religious relationship in the country and futuristic view on homosexuality. I thought the theatre presentation was going to be boring to watch but as the curtains came to close, it proved me wrong. The script of the whole play was creatively written because it was a pack of mixed emotions. In the first act, the script was about emotion of being in love to a person and country. Intense and passionate were words to describe the first part of the first act. In this part of the play, it was depicted how big was the love of Bonifacio for his wife and motherland. In the second act, the script was realistic and comedic. The typical life of a vendor was portrayed in the second act of the play. The interaction between a Muslim and a catholic was also depicted in the play. It was showed in this part how piracy is evident in our country, how religion is judged by other religion. The third act was quite a metamorphic part of the play. The third act was represented in a futuristic manner about a gay-alien marriage which turned into a disaster. The whole play was interesting for it touches different sides of motion of the viewers. It was a combination of a serious, passionate, and humorous emotion. The liberality element of the play also fascinated me because of it is a mind opener about what is happening in the real world. I like
how effectively they showed the love of Bonifacio for Oryang and Philippines. The introduction of the first act was quite sensual and shocking, but as the title says: Pulot Gata I expected nothing less. I also like the representation of situation of homosexuals wherein they are repeatedly hurt by men and love. As a whole, I like how the script was written because of its spontaneity and portrayal of past present and future issues. The actors and actresses of the play did a wonderful job in delivering their roles. In the first act, it was effectively portrayed the life of Filipino during Spanish times. Some part of the play was quite intense and very sensual but it was still appropriate and not that vulgar. The example for this is the introduction of the play wherein the married couple where doing intimate stuffs in the bed. The normal routine of a vendor was effectively portrayed in the 2nd act. The actors and actress was able to efficiently show how religion was judge by other religion in comical manner. There was a scene in the play wherein the guy made some offending comment about muslim religion yet the muslim vendor didnt take the comment seriously thus she just laughed at it. The actor and actresses did a great job in the portrayal of the religious issue because they made a grim issue into a realistic yet humorous act which made the audience realize the sad reality. The actors and actresses in the third act also did a wonderful performance and great effort. They were able to deliver the lines in a baklese or bekimon language which was quite interesting. As a whole, the actors and actresses did a great job in performing their roles. They were able to portray the characters they are representing with an audible sound and appropriate expression. The use of language in the play was appropriate yet quite assertive especially on the third act. Use of words such as P.I., Bl*wj*b and words of the same level was used in the play. In the third act where things went wrong and cupcake made his entrance through holographic
communication appearance, the actors used such language for the expression of their currently experienced emotion. I do not disagree with the use of such language beause most of the viewers were on the age wherein they have to know such things exist in this world. I also like the plays usage of the Bekimon language during the third act which added color to the play. Even though I could not decipher some of it still it is interesting. Another thing that adds up to the beauty of the play was the production. The costume and the make-up of the characters were outstanding and fit the role of the actors and actresses. All the characters were well dressed according to their roles and performances. The costume was able to add up to the character of what the actor is trying to portray. The shadow play in the second act was an astounding part of the play. In my point of view, it was an effective way to portray the flashbacks of the characters. In addition, the lights add to highlight what should be emphasized in the lay thus helped the viewers to focus to an important part of the scene. The props and music was also appropriate to every scene and act of the play. But part of the production, in my point of view, needs improvement was the sound. There were times that the microphones doesnt work thus some parts of the dialogue of the actors were can not be heard by the viewers. In the thord act, the actor who played the role of pumpkin experienced technical difficulties wherein his microphone was not working. Even though the actor managed to make his voice louder for the audience to hear his dialogue, it is still good to use amplifying instruments like microphones in able to hear each dialogue of the characters accurately. As the show progressed, I cant help but focus my attention to the stage. Every happening in the act was exciting that I cannot help but crave for what is next. The stories in the play were very interesting that every moment of the play was exciting. I cannot help myself to say Whats
next? in every end of an act. The play was indeed interesting because of the twists and turns of the whole story. Wrapping things up, the show was a must see play. It was an eye opener on various issues in the country such as issue for love of nation, religion and homosexuality. I cannot say that it was the best show that I had ever watched in my life but it made me want to watch more of it. In the end, I left the NCAS auditorium with a smile in my face and satisfaction to my soul.
