The Art of Watching
Normal people don’t laugh when there’s nothing to be amused about. Normal performances don’t start late. Normal actors deliver normal acting. Normal blogger doesn’t talk about being normal in one paragraph.
There are two main reasons why I didn’t like watching the play "Art." But I liked the play itself. The form and content, that is. But not really the performance. I’m not sure if the reaction is valid.
I thought the lady who sat beside our seat was harmless so I shook my head when she asked if the seat was taken. My nightmare started when Jett Pangan delivered his first line. After that, she would laugh at every dialogue. The first giggles were tolerable since other people also found the scene quite funny so I assumed it was normal. I could only looked at her in disbelief. I was sure she couldn’t see me.
The play was supposed to start at 8pm. The audience might have noticed the delay so some clapped their hands to get the attention of the production people. I could have been more satisfied if there were cat-calls. Oh, I really hate delays. Sir Dennis Marasigan told us the show would start at 9pm. He added that only CCP does follow schedules. I agree. It’s unfair for those people who came early.
Allan, a Palanca winner, gave me his extra, free ticket. He asked if it’s okay to write negative review about the play if the ticket’s free. I said, I couldn’t say for sure.
The play, written by Yasmina Reza, is about three long-time friends, Serge, Marc, and June. Serge (Michael de Mesa), indulging his penchant for modern art, buys a large, expensive (PhP200,000), completely white painting. Marc (Jett Pangan) is horrified, and their relationship suffers considerable strain as a result of their differing opinions about what constitutes "art." June (Ricky Davao), caught in the middle of the conflict, tries to please and mollify both of them.
Davao was the most applauded actor in the cast. De Mesa was always De Mesa. Pangan was kinda flat, especially in monologues. They all deserved a pat or a hug or a bouquet.
