From Script to Stage: What I Wrote and What It Looks Like

Below is a script snippet of my play, "Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady." Give it a quick read to get an idea of what's going on. It's only a little over a minute, so it doesn't give away much.  :-) Then check out the video at the end to see how it all went down on stage. The video was taken during the technical dress rehearsal so the performance was a few bits shy of total performance level. I just thought it was interesting to compare the original text with the actual staging.

- - - - - -

LEADING MAN She’s only here because you’re helping her out, I get that. If she were here to steal something, that’s going to be a problem. But now the only problem I see is her English.

VIVA I am efficiently acclimatized to English, sir!

LEADING MAN Yes, yes, and we’re so proud of you.

MELY Viva, siguro doon ka na muna sa kuwarto.

VIVA Sige, ate. Ginulo ko na ang buhay mo.

MELY (to LEADING MAN) I will just bring her to my room.

VIVA Hindi na, ate. Mahahanap ko rin ‘yun. Maaamoy ko naman ‘yung pansit doon.

MELY Sige, basta kumanan ka lang sa kanto, bumaba sa hagdanan, kaliwa, tapos kanan, diretso, pang-anim na pinto sa kaliwa, okey?

LEADING MAN Mely, she can handle that.

(MELY looks at VIVA. VIVA nods, and exits. MELY picks up the broom and sweeps the floor. LEADING MAN sits at the end of the conference room table.)

LEADING MAN You didn’t tell me you had a sister.

MELY I wrote it in the application form. You didn’t read it?

LEADING MAN I don’t read those things. She seems nice. A little on the kooky side.

MELY She’s like that. I’m very, very sorry about this. And I’m sorry for not telling you. I had no choice. 

LEADING MAN Oh, you Pinoys are so apologetic. Once is enough. And you know the drill. You just need to file the report. Tell us where she lives, who she’s with, who her friends and enemies are, any lovers, criminal record if any...

MELY She was accused of stealing once. Some rice.

LEADING MAN Oh, so I guess you have to prepare the gas chamber now.

- - - - - - - - -

Here's the video. The cast is composed of Kiki Baento (Mely), Skyzx Labastilla (Viva), and Hans Eckstein (Leading Man). Direction by Chris Martinez. There will be two more performances of the play: July 3 at 3pm and July 5 at 8pm. Tickets are still available as of this writing.


Comments

Clayman said…
Carl, would there be an opportunity to catch this this weekend?
Carver said…
Bro, this Friday 8pm ang last show. Are you in Manila?
Clayman said…
Carl, can you get me a ticket???

Popular posts from this blog

How To Pace Comics

What Would You Do With 11 Billion Pesos?

Two Weeks Since Burnout