Review Roundup: CLOSER, Red Turnip Theater's Maiden Production Venture

Manila, Philippines, October 12, 2013--Real-life friends and thespians Ana Abad Santos, Cris Villonco, Rem Zamora, Jenny Jamora and Topper Fabregas have banded together to form their own theater company named Red Turnip Theater, which plans to stage noteworthy straight plays from London's West End and Broadway.

"Closer," the 1999 Tony Award nominated play by Patrick Marber, opens Red Turnip's first season, which runs until Sunday, October 27 at Whitespace (2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati City).

The play's licensor, Dramatist Play Service, Inc., best tells the story of "Closer": "Four lives intertwine over the course of four and a half years in this densely plotted, stinging look at modern love and betrayal.

"Dan, an obituary writer, meets Alice, a stripper, after an accident in the street. Eighteen months later, they are a couple, and Dan has written a novel inspired by Alice. While posing for his book jacket cover, Dan meets Anna, a photographer. He pursues her, but she rejects his advances despite their mutual attraction. Larry, a dermatologist, "meets" Dan in an Internet chat room. Dan, obsessing over Anna, pretends to be her and has cybersex with Larry. They arrange to meet the next day at an aquarium. Larry arrives and so too, coincidentally, does the real Anna. This sets up a series of pass-the-lover scenes in which this quartet struggle to find intimacy but can't seem to get closer."

Red Turnip's production of "Closer," directed by Abad Santos, features TV and film stars Angel Aquino (Anna) and Marc Abaya (Dan) and seasoned theater actors Villonco (Alice) and Bart Guingona (Larry).

Let's see what the critics had to say:

Vladimir Bunoan, ABS-CBNNews.com: As Dan, Marc Abaya, who started as a rocker/musician before venturing into TV soaps, appeared tentative in his approach to his character. There was a lack of chemistry with his fellow actors, and crucially with his partner Cris Villongo as Alice in the first few scenes. He was far more confident in the second act, however, which suggests that he is bound to improve as the run progresses.

Angel Aquino may be an award-winning actress for her movies -- she was terrific in "On the Job" -- but she has yet to master the kind of acting required in theater. Her moves and expressions were far too slight and more attuned for the camera. But what she brings to "Closer" is far more valuable. Her stage presence is just out of this world. In fact, her beauty can be a distraction since she effortlessly commands attention. You just stare at her. And stare some more. And fall in love. When she emerges in that slim black-and-white gown, all eyes were definitely on her.

Cora Llamas, Philippine Daily Inquirer: The performances of all four leads are undoubtedly earnest. Abad Santos directs with a restrained hand, and there are no histrionics and no unnecessary emotional explosions of the sort that degenerate into melodrama. However, the play proceeds at a glacial pace. The story and the performances creep along, and the intended increasing rise in intensity as the conflicts happen and the emotions unravel keep the emotional playing field at a steady, monotonous level.

The chemistry among the alternating pair of lovers does not truly sparkle. There are arresting performances from the veterans, and Villonco easily steals the thunder from everyone else-but this is a play that requires the characters to rise together as one, and not do solo star turns, even if unintended.

Jocelyn Valle, Pep.ph: The minimalist set design (a bench in one scene, a bed in another, etc.) is aided by background images (a large photo of a melancholic Alice during Anna's photo exhibit, a visual display of Dan and Larry's racy chat, etc.). This way, the audience is able to focus on the story and the actors' performances.

Speaking of actors, theater stalwarts Bart Guingona and Cris Villonco carry the bulk of the production.

Bart brings life to the character of Larry, who runs his medical practice like any decent and practical doctor but is also capable of behaving indecently like any other person. The seasoned actor delivers his delicious lines with unrepentant honesty and humor.

Cris is a joy to watch as Alice. With her pixie haircut and wide-eyed expression, she looks exactly like a waif in desperate need of love and care. She also moves with child-woman sensuality, which makes her striptease truly inventive and perfect for the scene.

Rome Jorge, Rappler.com: The pairing of acclaimed theater actors with famous television and film stars - all of whom have garnered acclaim in their respective mediums - is also very savvy. Aquino and Abaya acquit themselves with laudable breakthrough performances as Anna and Dan, respectively. This should encourage them to take more roles in theater. They do shine brilliantly on stage, not just for their celebrity status.

Nonetheless, when sharing the stage with seasoned theater actors such as Guingona and Villonco, the contrast is appreciable. Both Guingona and Villonco fiercely yet effortlessly possess their characters and magnetize audiences even when they say not a word. And when they do speak and move, each possesses meaning and measure; nothing is superfluous or perfunctory.

Photo by Red Turnip Theater/Marie Jamora

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