Cover Missy Maramara and Justine Narciso as Uncle Jane and Sofia (Photo: CAST)
Missy Maramara and Justine Narciso as Uncle Jane and Sofia (Photo: CAST)
1 / 1
The Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (CAST) re-stages its unique adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’ this September, tugging the hearts of many in a harmony of drama and comedy
Anton Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya was set in a world torn between the traditions and memories of the Old World, with characters looking forward to a new century with a promising future. This conflict—a straddle between the past and the future—charged the succeeding productions of the 1898 Russian play to interpret it varyingly. The Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre adapted the play, as theatres started to re-open after the pandemic, with a fresh take on each of the characters’ storylines.
During the 2020 to 2021 pandemic, the company had reading sessions of world classic plays, including Uncle Vanya. Director and actor Nelsito Gomez handpicked it for Missy Maramara, envisioning it gender-switched to conjure other issues and insights more relevant to today’s generation. Now titled Uncle Jane, the production, in collaboration with Music Artes Inc, had a limited run in February 2023. Due to consistent popular demand, it had a rerun this September with a more solid grasp of Chekhov’s humour.
Above The cast of ‘Uncle Jane’
The cast of ‘Uncle Jane’
1 / 1
Also staged in the Mirror Studio Theatre, the black box setup gave the play an intimate atmosphere, with audiences maximising their vision of the proscenium stage through the theatre’s mirrors. However, the audience configuration still limited the viewers’s line of vision to see the entirety of the stage. Nevertheless, it was a riveting show with emotions palpable in the room.
Uncle Jane is an endearing story that focuses on about a year spent by Alexander (Audie Gemora) and his second wife Elaine (Justine Peña) in the estate that the former acquired from his late wife (Sarah Facuri), the mother of Alexander’s only child Sofia (Justine Narciso). Being a retired professor and acclaimed scholar, Alexander’s father-in-law Ian (Jaime Del Mundo) heeds every request and whim of Alexander, which disgusts his living daughter Jane (Missy Maramara). Jane was later revealed in a pivotal scene in the play’s second act to have chosen to stay and work in the estate to make it debt-free and, to this day, honours the memory of her sister by being an attentive parental figure to Sofia. With this, Jane was against the idea of Alexander to sell the estate and her family to move out. Her anger and deep-setted regret for wasting her life away for the benefit of the family was aggravated by her unrequited romantic feelings towards Elaine. In all these, provincial doctor Michael (Topper Fabregas), who frequents the house, and the ever-loyal house help Miss Marie (Jay Glorioso), were witnesses and voices of reason for Jane.
Read also: Actor-director Marco Viaña on Philippine theatre’s transformational power
Above Missy Maramara as Uncle Jane
Missy Maramara as Uncle Jane
1 / 1
Gomez made the Russian play classic closer to home with its infusion of Filipino elements and sensibilities, albeit being set in an unnamed location and present era coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic (a nod to the material that hinted at the typhoid epidemic at Malitskoe). The names were also anglicised, with a contemporary slow rock song sung in between acts by the spectre of Sofia’s late mother. But Uncle Jane remained true to its core—the conflict between the way of thinking and decision-making of capitalists in contrast to the altruism of the working class.
But amidst the existential questions of Vanya/Jane, the decline of archaic ways of living, and the disappointment in decisions made drowned with alcohol, Chekhov’s wittiness and humour were unearthed and polished for the modern audience. Moreover, the most impactful change in the material is its ending, which is more hopeful and empowering, though it diverts from Chekhov’s intention.
Read also: World Theatre Day 2023: Anton Juan and his undying passion for theatre
1 / 1
As the characters enter a new phase, we see Uncle Vanya/Jane return to work for the estate. In the original material, Sonya assures Vanya: “We shall rest”; as if resting in a quiet life under the providence of God is the way to lead a better life. But in this new version, we hear Jane advising Sofia to achieve her dreams in a mad world. Both perspectives speak of love and faith. The difference this time is we put our fate into our own hands.
Perhaps the fresh perspective stems from the gender switches made in the play. We see Maramara giving us a female Vanya who is not just miserable because of her life choices but because of other factors that have affected her. Her relationship with Del Mundo‘s character solidified the patriarchal thesis where men rule the household and women’s suggestions are set aside. If the play remained honest to the material where it was a matriarch backing up Alexander, we wouldn’t be able to feel strongly Jane’s envy towards Alexander as the son her father never had. The loss of the character Ilya Ilyich Telegin or Waffles in the adaptation also established the audience’s focus towards this father-daughter relationship. Meanwhile, Fabregas’ interpretation of Michael Astroff was warmer, making his chemistry towards the women of the household more authentic and heartbreaking to see gradually crumble.
Read also: Jef Flores on creating and performing with the heart
Topper Fabregas as Michael
1 / 7
This visceral play bravely tackles life in a grieving tone but allows room for rejoicing. The vulnerabilities bared by the characters were further fleshed out and crystallised to unfold a progression of restoration. The spectrality infused in the material offers an overarching message that pushes living characters to see the beauty in life despite its flaws and continue hoping for a better tomorrow. For audiences new to Chekhov, it helped to visualise the characters’ memories through a subtle inception. As the play ends, audiences leave the theatre with hope glimmering the path ahead, like the strings of light bulbs that adorn the house of Uncle Jane.
NOW READ
Geri Francisco’s ‘Ibong Adarna’ soars high for the second time
A symphony of beginnings at the Goldenberg Mansion with Anya Lagman
How ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’ perfectly communicates the anxiety of time running out
Credits
Photography: Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (CAST)
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
