When I’m assigned to write about something, I try to read as much as possible about the subject. Often times, especially in plays and musicals, I tend to spoil myself, which ultimately lessen how I experience the show. So imagine my surprise when all the lights were turned on, the performers started taking their bow and the audience clapping incessantly and I found myself taken aback by what I just saw. It was both shocking and riveting.
Repertory Philippines opens its 77th season with a production of suspense-thriller play Wait Until Dark. Penned by playwright Frederick Knott, Wait Until Dark follows Susy Henderson, a recently blinded housewife from London, as she becomes the mark of three thugs who are out to find a doll filled with twenty thousand pounds worth of heroin.
The material first came out in the 1960s and as such, one cannot expect it to be elaborately clever. It is nowhere near Ocean’s Eleven, White Collar, or even Home Alone. The material is even uneven. Despite that, it was brought to life by the passion and obvious dedication of the company led by director Miguel Faustmann. It is important to note that around six days prior to the opening night, cast changes had to be done as Jamie Wilson accidentally broke his kneecap during the rehearsals. The cast had to be shuffled with one cast member immediately covering Wilson’s role and a new actor was brought in to take on the vacated character. The adjustments are not polished but Faustmann managed to keep the ship afloat and dish out an intense and engaging production.
Speaking of the actors, to say that the ensemble’s performance is effective might be a little understated. There may be rough edges on the performances of some, but one can expect that these shall be polished in the succeeding performances. Lorenz Martinez plays the role of Susy’s husband Sam and while he’s on stage for only a couple of scenes, he has established himself well as the playfully loving better half of the protagonist. Daniella Gana, fresh from her Alice in Wonderland stint last year, is the bratty yet protective and caring neighbor Gloria. Gana is definitely someone to watch out for in the theater scene with her sheer presence on stage and believable performances. Robbie Guevarra and Joel Trinidad portray Croker and Mike Trenton, respectively, the two petty crooks who have been unwittingly recruited for the heist. Guevarra breathes life to his character with detail, personality, and light while Trinidad showcases the deep internal conflict within Mike Trenton with richness, humanity and credibility. Arnel Carrion plays Roat, the criminal mastermind who orchestrated the entire con. Interestingly enough, Carrion was supposed to play Sam Henderson but had to take on Roat after Wilson’s accident. He tends to drop the British accent every now and then, but that’s acceptable given his lead time. What matters though is his intimidating presence on stage remains compelling. And finally, Leisl Batucan plays the role of the protagonist Susy Henderson. Batucan showcases a deeply thought-out performance, oozing with detail, presence, power and flair. She effectively portrays the transition from the sensibilities of a handicapped yet independent housewife to a roaring image of survival amidst chaos despite her physical handicap. Her final scene is something to watch out for.
The show’s set design successfully captures the peace of the household and, with the help of lights and sounds, transforms into a claustrophobic arena where a veritable threat looms over. There are occasional technical glitches on the timing of the lights and the level of the sound, but these don’t really matter, as these are easily fixable in subsequent performances.
It is easy and convenient to just look at Wait Until Dark as just another suspense-filled play (not that there’s many like it around). For those who aren’t fans of the genre, it might be a factor that will make them completely stay away from it. But if one looks closely enough, beyond the tension build-up and the chest-thumping climax is a celebration of triumph despite one’s personal handicaps. It provides the audience with the assurance that one does not have to be discouraged by what one lacks – or what one thinks he/she lacks — to overcome any adversity. For Susy, it’s her eyesight. But her intuition, wit and emotions made her survive. Today, countless men and women suffer from different forms of handicaps – from physical, emotional to psychological ones. But what you think your flaw is may not really be a flaw. For all you know, that might even be your biggest arsenal. You may even be surprised by the extent of what you can do.
In the end, with the core message of the material and the life brought by the company, Wait Until Dark is a great testament to the power of determination and self-reliance. Beneath the blanket of suspense and darkness of the show is the warmth of self-reassurance.
And for that alone, the show is definitely worth watching.
—
'Wait Until Dark' runs until February 9, 2014, at Onstage Theatre, Greenbelt. Ticket prices are as follows (inclusive of service charge): P625.20 – Onstage Theatre Gold (Reserved Seating); P521 – Silver (Free Seating); P416.80 – Bronze (Free Seating). Call 891-9999 or buy online via Ticketworld.
Images taken from official Repertory Philippines website.
