PRIMA FACIE (AND BEYOND)

So what about “at first sight”? Sure, we’ve lived with that phrase for as long as we could remember-- it sounds like a record beyond broken already-- and society’s day-to-day librettos have pretty much proved that what we get from the first sight of something really stands still until the end.

However, Charlie ‘n’ Charlotte plunged into something that laid out a whole lot more.

Known for being a factory of laudable shows that cater to different kinds of students in the University of Santo Tomas (and those who aren't; exhibit A: us), the Artistang Artlets proved its overall theatrical dedication again in one of their recent major productions, Prima Facie. Directed by Jennie Ver Gabon and written by John Michael Peña, the play boasts an unapologetic feel-good yet mysterious story line that encouraged everyone that attended-- from October 27 to 29, 2015-- to painstakingly keep their thoughts intact despite the little by little disturbance of their hearts. Tucked inside a chilly fragment of the UST High School Building, the Benavides Auditorium, the Prima Facie experience became one for the books.

Prima Facie is a play about the mysteries behind the secretive family of Arturo Nicolas, a prominent man ought to run for presidency-- but eventually missed the chance because of his unforeseen death. His demise sparked the starting point of a domino effect-like array of chaotic, crazy episodes. The viewers then eventually revolved around the strategic characterizations: the suspects, the eager media, and the who-is-who, which-is-which mastermind. The performance created an intense atmosphere, and it only climaxed in each of every scene.

The show was utterly great, the execution was clean, and the characters were within their zone all throughout the story. The people who worked behind the special effects and lighting surely did a wonderful job, because each element happened on time, and those details added just the right amount of substance to the flow of the story. And oh, the venue for their play was perfect-- secluded and almost secretive, just like the story.

What were our favorite parts?

Audrey: My favorite part of the play was whenever the "Secret caller"/"Mastermind" came out of the stage, and he would interact with the audience. The group of reporters also roamed around on the front and back of the auditorium to communicate with the audience, to let us feel that we were also involved in the play, and to keep our interest until the end.

Jelou: I must say that I fell in love with the conclusion above all (which is somewhat ironic to be considered as a “conclusion”, since the ending still produced a lot of figurative question marks in my sphere). I felt these goosebumps when the four lead characters gathered around the dead body of Arturo, claiming and narrating their best times (and subtle regrets) with him. And oh, the portrayal of Rainier Nicolas (can be seen in the two photos before this text) was very natural and enticing!

All in all, Prima Facie served as a puzzling and suspense play with a dash of comedy and drama created and executed by the organization, Artistang Artlets. A play that would keep you guessing who is righteous and who is to be blamed, and what to trust and what not to-- just like how we navigate our own enigmatic realities. A play that would make you hold on to your seats; you would want to re-watch it.

We know you want to see an Artistang Artlets show, too!

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Written by Jelou Galang and Audrey Turla

Photographs by Jelou Galang

Editor-in-Chief twitter: @jeloughee12

          Jelou Galang instagram: @jeloughee

Sometimes in outer space
(But maybe just spaced out)
Full-time rockstar alien on Earth

Art Director twitter: @Audreeey_Turla

          Audrey Turla      instagram: @heyaudreeey

Touchstone's lady
James Dean's Star
Someone's Poet
. . . Amazing Audrey will do