Experience The Bard’s beloved romcom filled with mischief and magic on Sept. 12-27 at Manila’s Saint Cecilia’s Hall
Shakespeare is everywhere, and you’ve probably seen all sorts of modern adaptations of his works in various media possible. What made Shakespeare one of the most influential literary figures ever was how he transformed and elevated the English language to show his readers and audiences the beauty and the complexities of the human experience.
As a Filipino theater company dedicated to showcasing English language productions, Repertory Philippines is bringing back its Shakespearean tradition with the staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, ahead of the company’s 90th season. Directed by REP Artistic Director Jeremy Domingo, the production will have a limited three-weekend run from September 12 to September 27 at the historic Saint Cecilia’s Hall, a National Cultural Landmark inside St. Scholastica’s College in Manila.
“Shakespeare has been such a significant part of REP’s 60-year history. It is about time that we revisited the Bard’s masterpieces, especially as our Artistic Director is known for his love for Shakespeare. We are all excited to approach a milestone year with one of the world’s finest works of drama that puts the playwright’s inventiveness in the spotlight,” says Mindy Perez-Rubio, REP President and CEO. The last Shakespearean play REP staged was Hamlet in 2008.
Domingo adds that REP’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be a faithful adaptation that focuses on Shakespeare’s text and themes.
“We want to celebrate the power of Shakespeare’s dialogues, which of course defined modern theater as we know it today. It’s a faithful adaptation in a sense that my goal as a director is to guide these talented actors in reading, interpreting, and acting Shakespeare text to bring out the wit, the double entendres, and the sarcasm that made the Bard a pillar of English language and the art of theater-making, even four hundred years after he graced this earth,” adds Domingo.
Leading the cast is Leaf Awardee for Best Featured Actor Randy Villarama, who will play fairy king Oberon/Theseus, Duke of Athens. Actor and playwright Lesley Leveriza Lina and Giannina Ocampo-Van Hoven will alternate as fairy queen Titania/Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and Theseus’ fiancée. The four mixed-up young Athenian lovers will be played by promising young actors: Dani Roque and Isabelle Prado who will be alternating as Helena, Sevee Eslabra as Hermia, Luis Marcelo as Lysander, and GK Diola as Demetrius.
Joining them are Joey Cosio-Mercado as Puck/Philostrate and Joel Parcon as Hermia’s father Egeus. The Mechanicals will be played by Tristan Bite as Nick Bottom, Alexa P. Sandiego as Peter Quince, Rico del Rosario as Francis Flute, Ysh Bautista as Robin Starveling, Robert Bradly Hao as Tom Snout, and Bella Alejandro as Snug. The Fairies include Alejandro doubling as Peaseblossom, Dana Lee as Cobweb, Rosea Ansay as Moth, and Lorrie Figueroa as Mustardseed.
Andie Villegas joins the creative team as Assistant Director, with Jay Pangilinan as Musical Director, Jomelle Era as Choreographer, Ohm David as Set Designer, Meliton Roxas as Lights Designer, and 2026 Gawad Buhay winner for Best Costume Design Carlos Siongco as Costume Designer. The production team will be headed by Production Manager Bojo Barnes. Completing the team are Assistant Production Manager Phalie Medina, Stage Manager Nicole Chua, and Deputy Stage Manager Marta Muñoz.
Don’t miss REP’s return to Shakespearean theater and catch A Midsummer’s Night Dream only from September 12 to September 27 at Saint Cecilia’s Hall in St. Scholastica’s College, Manila.
For tickets, visit Ticket2Me and Ticketworld or contact REP at 0966-9054013 or 0962-6918540 send us an email at
promotions@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org.
For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.
