October 6, 2008

What does a basement look like?

And what's a theater post from me without a sneaky photograph? I showed you the posters of Dulaang U.P.'s "Isang Panaginip na Fili" yesterday. Here is the one-shot-only photo of the stage. [I really have to start remembering to change my camera's settings before we enter theaters!] Rizal began writing El Filibusterismo in 1887 when he was still in the Philippines but continued working on it while he was in Europe, finally finishing it in 1891. The play sets him in Paris, living in the basement of a friend's apartment. I think the set designer went a little overboard though—this looks more like a sewer than a basement! But I guess I can understand the exaggeration. Since most Filipino homes don't have basements, the designer wanted to make sure that the audience understood that Rizal was writing his second novel in a less-than-ideal environment.

stage of Dulaang U.P.'s Isang Panaginip na Fili

17 comments:

Stevenson Q said...

oh my hilda! I think I saw that already before. UP really is an institution for Art! Even I'm not from UP, I really look up to it so much!

Hilda, there has been a hater on my Cavite Daily Photo on Multiply. He has been telling me that "Cavite Daily Photo" should be "Cavite Daily Blog" because he can't see any "work" on the albums page. It hurts me so much. i think it's a bit degrading not just to me but also to bloggers who use the term "* Daily Photo" that places the photo inside their blog post.

I can't understand if he means that he can't literally see the photos or he is expecting me to post the photos as photos and not blog entries. And as I saw in his account, he's from Dubai and as I have heard, flickr has been banned on Dubai.

I'm sorry if I released this feeling to you. This is my first bloging critique I've had. I don't know anyone who can understand these bloging problems here at home! Hope to hear from you soon.

Steven^^

Joy said...

Pinoy theatre can be quite minimalist and yet still have the effect desired. This looks like a nice piece of stage prop.

Thanks for visiting Norwich Daily Photo and leaving your comments. Have a great week!

joy
A Pinay In England
Your Love Coach
I, Woman

Stevenson Q said...

Thanks Hilda. He wrote what he said to me in a private message so I don't know if you'd be able to see it and he also commented in my friend's multiply.

yah, you are right, I should review tomorrow! jajajaja Thanks so much for your advices. it means a lot!

God BLess you and your family!

Steven^^

Olivier said...

Je ne connaissais pas José Rizal et grâce a toi, je viens de le découvrir via le Wikipedia Français. Dans un grand magasin de livres, j'ai trouvé le livre "N'y touchez pas !" je vais le lire pour voir.

I did not know José Rizal and thanks to you, I just see it through the English Wikipedia. In a large store of books, I found the book "Do not touch it!" I will read it and see.

Chuck Pefley said...

Interesting that the chandelier and draped table covering make this space seem almost elegant. The lighting and intense colors help that effect as well.

Shoshana said...

Well, about mailboxes, it can be a letter box at the post office or anything that a letter goes into.

Even an office inbox will do...just as long as it has to do with mail/letter/parcel delivery.

I would love it if you could join.

Unknown said...

The set is great, it really looks like a basement but i agree with Chuck: an elegant basement!
So, they still didn't catch you taking pictures inside and that is super! :-)

Webradio said...

Hello Hilda !
I find José Rizal with Your post...
See You later.

Eki said...

" I think the set designer went a little overboard though—this looks more like a sewer than a basement! But I guess I can understand the exaggeration. Since most Filipino homes don't have basements, the designer wanted to make sure that the audience understood that Rizal was writing his second novel in a less-than-ideal environment."


But, Hilda, I think that's the idea of a theater (set and performace) is: exaggeration (in a positive sense). ;)

Many of our heroes (the Philippines' Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Indonesia's Soekarno) produced great works under less-than-ideal and distressful conditions. I think this is what we need to inspire in our youths.

Knoxville Girl said...

That's a very well-appointed basement. I guarantee that MY basement does not have a chandelier! I'm learning a lot about theater from your blog!

Christina S said...

A chandelier in a basement is cool. I've also taken sneaky photos once or twice in theatres - I find it quite fun, hee hee (just make sure the flash doesn't fire by mistake!!)

Barbara Rahal said...

well that is avery nice looking basement...nice chandellier..is there also wine at the table?... eh eh eh
nice

Jill said...

Thanks for braving a photo.

 gmirage said...

Hilda, Bravo for a stolen shot!

If the basement Rizal lived in is the same cellar we have here then I guess its those with smaller windows placed almost near the ceiling...some here are used as shops/galleries and even workshop rooms.

Otherwise, there are also cellars that looks like our bodega, madaming nakatambak... =) Have a nice week!

Ming the Merciless said...

Well, back in the late 1800s, basement probably wasn't a nice place to stay. There were no electricity back then so it's probably dark and wet down there.

Bergson said...

A staircase in beauty with this light

Layrayski said...

The only time I was able to go to a play was in high school Or college, I think. So I appreciate your blogs about the plays you've been to. =)