A review by Samuel F Macagba III | Photos by Nicco Sanchez
The Xavier Stage, a premier theater company of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan, presented “Recursos,” a play adapted from “Hamlet,” one of the plays written by the world’s greatest playwright, William Shakespeare.
Lovers of literature have said that “Hamlet” is one of the most enduring and longest plays that Shakespeare had written. Recursos is an adaptation of this great play, written by Layeta Bucoy to contextualize its timeless message into the Philippine milieu. Having this play translated has helped the Filipino audiences to capture the many struggles of humanity, as embodied by the character of Hamlet, or Eric in this adapted play.
Recursos showed us the realities of our humanity that we do not like. The ensemble creatively provided the audience an avenue to be aware of the many problems that we are facing as humans, including: failure to keep our commitments, melodramatic tendencies, revenge, cruelty, jealousy, and betrayal. But it also intended its audience to see the things that we are afraid of seeing or feeling to prevent us from becoming the worst versions of ourselves. It taught us to take more concrete actions to be “the best” that they can be, to realize our potentials. The consequences of not being able to do so were also portrayed in this play.
Moreover, because it is an adaptation based on the Philippine context, the “problematic” culture and attitudes as a Filipino nation were also accentuated in the play. Some of the issues presented here were the negative effects of loyalty to the family and partners to the point of siding with the wrong; the many struggles in our political and economic systems; the patriarchal culture that continues to be very evident even in this time and age; and the obliteration of our values as we are exposed to power, prestige, and money. Thus, a challenge was posed to the audience: to be empowered to change the landscape of our values system in whatever sphere of influence you are in. But the bigger question is “How?”
From an unconventional point of view, the mining industry was put on spotlight in this play. While most of the available literature takes on the perspectives of those who were and are still oppressed, especially those who are working as small miners in communities, the play made its audience understand the industry from the perspectives of those on the top, business owners and the like, especially their motivations and their lack of awareness and sensitivity to those on the other side of the equation. Metaphorically, the mining industry in this play represented, in a deeper way, how the humanities of the main characters were dug out as they were exposed to temptations, dilemmas, and existential struggles.
Furthermore, adolescents, most especially, can truly relate to the struggles of the main character, Eric. In the play, the following struggles were emphasized and shown: decision-making in the midst of a paralysis of choices, particularly when one has too many or few options, or when their loved ones do not support them; the struggles of defining one’s identity; the constant calculations of how one is being perceived by others; and dealing with sadness and adversities. The play made us, particularly, the young people, understand the need to control of our lives rather than being controlled by our struggles, which ultimately makes life more colorful and meaningful.
The Xavier Stage brought this literary piece to life through the artistic direction of Hobart Savior. It was staged at the Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Little Theater from February 28 to March 1.∎