Sunday, September 20, 2015

Tanghalang Ateneo’s 37th Season Presents “R.U.R (Robot Unibersal Ni Rossum)”


Wazzup Pilipinas!

Tanghalang Ateneo, the longest-running theater company of the Loyola Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, is celebrating its 37th season with the theme "Staging Revolution/s". The company will stage this season three works that have been deemed revolutionary when they were first unleashed to the world.

Opening the season is R.U.R. (ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM), a science fiction classic by Czech writer Karel Capek. Originally written in Czech, this Tanghalang Ateneo production will use a new Filipino translation by Palanca winner Guelan Varela-Luarca. Introducing the word “robot” to the English language, the play depicts the rebellion of human-like creatures that leads to the extinction of the human race. The danger of man’s desires of a utopian and totalitarian world is one of the play's central themes.

Avie Alcantara plays the role of Harry Domin, the general manager of R.U.R who envisions a world where humans are free from the shackles of labor.

Gel Basa and Sabrina Basilio alternate for the role of Helena Glory, daughter of the president who becomes the object of affection for the five men who run the robot factory called R.U.R.

Gab Tibayan portrays Fabry, the engineer and general technical director of the factory.

Jerome Ignacio plays Dr. Gall, head of the physiological department.

Jego Mallillin portrays Dr. Hallemeier, chief psychologist and educator of the robots.

Cholo Ledesma and Geo Celestino alternate for the role of Busman, the factory’s general marketing director and chief consul.

Jerome Flor plays Alquist, the architect of R.U.R who sticks to religious views and questions the morality of producing robots.


The other members of the cast are:

Hannah Garay as Nana, Helena’s maid who loathes robots and firmly stands by her superstitious and traditional beliefs.

Bianca Bautista as Marius, a first-generation robot that has humanlike appearances but is without emotions.

Jessica Orense as Sula, a robotess that serves as Domin’s secretary.

Geo Celestino and Gerald Manuel alternate as Radius, a robot modified to be more human who leads the uprising.

Francis Genelsa as Damon, an advanced robot that becomes their supreme leader.

Migyle Jimenez as Robot Primus, a new generation robot capable of emotions and feelings.

Camille Abaya as Robot Helena, a new generation robot modeled after Helena Glory that is also capable of emotions and feelings.


The play includes a robot ensemble featuring the trainees and members of Tanghalang Ateneo.

The artistic team of R.U.R. (ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM) is comprised of Glenn Sevilla Mas (Artistic Director and Company Moderator, Tanghalang Ateneo), JK Anicoche (Director), Alon Segarra (Assistant Director), Kulay Labitigan (Set Designer), Barth Mariquit and Samantha Quizon (Costumes Designer), Ninya Bedruz (Lights Designer), Teresa Barrozo (Sound Designer), Glyssa Soriano and Rej Bagonoc (Choreography), John Mark Yap and Shaira Mazo (Graphic Designers);

The play dates of R.U.R. (ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM) are: September 30, October 1-3, 6-10, & 13-17 at 7 p.m. while Saturday matinee shows start at 2 p.m.

All performances will be held at the Fine Arts Black Box Theater of the Ateneo de Manila University.

Tanghalang Ateneo’s R.U.R (ROBOT UNIBERSAL NI ROSSUM) would like to thank its sponsors: Locally - Juice The Way You Are, Magnolia Chicken, Philippine Airlines, Greenwich Pizza, Oishi, U.P. Town Center, Quaker Good Start, Tropicana Frutz, with official construction partner Wilcon Depot, official makeup partner Maybelline New York, and special thanks to L'Oreal Philippines and Ayala Malls, and its media partners: Curtain Call Manila, Sindikato Productions, WazzupPilipinas.com , WhenInManila.com, Theater Fans Manila, ClickTheCity, Choose Philippines, and SkedSearch.

For further details of the show, please contact Madel Juliano at 0917-631-4387 or email: ta.mpc78@gmail.com.

Connect to Tanghalang Ateneo online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TanghalangAteneo
Twitter: www.twitter.com/TAOfficial_
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tanghalangateneo
YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/tanghalangateneo

See you at the theater!