"Katsuri" is a Hiligaynon word for "shrew." That is the title Ms. Bibeth Orteza chose to give her modernized Filipino adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic, "Of Mice and Men." For her, the titular "katsuri" was to represent the "sakada," or sugar farm workers, who lived lives of downtrodden oppression. Inspired by the death of Bernardino "Toto" Patigas, an activist who fought for sakada rights, Ms. Orteza brought Steinbeck's story from a California farm during the Great Depression to a Negros sugar farm in the present day.
George and Toto were a couple of farmhands who always worked as a tandem. The steadfast and practical George had taken it upon himself to be the guardian of Toto, a big strong but mentally-challenged man. The two shared a dream of owning a piece of farmland which they could call their own, where Toto could raise his favorite pet rabbits. Because of an unfortunate incident in Hacienda Luisita, the two friends sought work in a sugar farm in Negros to start over in their quest for their elusive dream.
George (Marco Viana) and Toto (Jonathan Tadioan)
With his hefty body build, Jonathan Tadioan was the natural choice to play the bulky hulk Toto (Lenny in the book). Tadioan had to create in Toto an aura of child-like innocence which audiences will want to mother, and this multi-Gawad Buhay nominated actor certainly rose to that challenge as only he can. Tadioan's Toto was a gentle giant teddy bear when he tells about his love for soft furry rabbits and puppies. However, he can also exude an air of danger when provoked as he forgets how strong he is. His co-stars' best scenes were those they shared with him.
For people who have read the book, Marco Viana would seem to be physically miscast as George. Steinbeck describes George as a "small man," but Viana looked as tall, or even taller than Tadioan, from where I was seated. However, this eventually did not matter, as Viana was able to effectively convey George's deep sense of concern for his mentally-challenged friend Toto, trying his best to keep Toto out of trouble. Such was the genuineness of George's love which made his final decision all the more painful.
Inday (Antonette Go) teases Toto and George
Nanding Josef (as Tatang) and JV Ibesate (as Payat) played sympathetic farmhands who who fully appreciated the bond between George and Toto. Fitz Bitana played a tough and insecure Kulot, whose presence spelled bad news whenever he was on. Antonette Go gave an outstanding featured performance as Kulot's wife Inday, whose allure and beauty portended trouble among the menfolk. For once, Ybes Bagadiong hit all the right notes in his portrayal of farm outcast Nognog. The role of the Boss was given a puzzling treatment in the play, especially with surprise guest actor Michael Williams playing that role.
The heavy depressing subject matter of the play may be hard to bear in certain moments of intense talky scenes. However, the mood was occasionally lightened somewhat with Tadioan's cute antics, or whenever Orteza injected the conversation with current pop culture references, anything from "Pinoy Big Brother" to "The General's Daughter."
The cast and crew of Katsuri take their bows
The tech designers were all on point to create the suffocating atmosphere of oppression: Ohm David for the sets, Dennis Marasigan for the lights, Daniel Gregorio for the costumes and T.J. Ramos for the sound. Director Carlitos Siguion-Reyna brought Orteza's script into life with all the foreboding dread and tension precariously simmering, building up to an explosive boil over in the end. This hit us with a reeling punch so powerful it will take some time before you can recover your breath and composure.
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KATSURI runs from October 4 - 27, 2019 at the CCP Studio Theater (Tanghalang Huseng Batute). Showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, with 3 pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Ticket prices at P1000 for VIP and P800 for the bleachers.
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