An original Filipino monodrama, exploring themes of migration, nationhood, identity, and political history through the lens of Filipino folklore, is opening early December.
‘The Encounters – Mga Salubong’ creator and director Ricardo Magno said the play focuses on three main characters.
“It’s about a grandmother, a mother and a daughter … it’s largely about intergenerational relationships and family but also about migration…migrants grappling with questions regarding their identity and wanting to know more about their family and relationships,” Magno said.
The play incorporates the physical theatre genre, which emphasises the actor’s movement of their body through storytelling.
Magno said movement of the body helps Mayen Estamero, the sole performer of the play, distinguish between the three characters she plays.
“… Really just letting the actor’s body and voice enrich the text and even communicate certain ideas that might not be in the text but intuited by the actor and their body,” Magno said.
Magno said the show provides an opportunity to share Filipino culture with locals, while connecting with members of the Filipino community.
“We want the audience to be able to know a little more about Filipinos — where we come from, what we go through. It’s largely about migration as well,” Magno said.
“There’s a big Filipino community in Brimbank and we want to reach out to them.”
‘The Encounters – Mga Salubong’ will be showing at the Bowery Theatre, 33 Princess Street, St Albans on Friday 5 December, from 7-8pm, and Sunday 7 December, from 6-7pm.
The show is supported by Brimbank council through its Bowery Theatre residency program, and is suitable to watch for people aged 14 and older.
Details: creativebrimbank.com.au
