TA: Review of MEDEA: Motherhood and Murder

November 11, 2024

Medea (Miren Alvarez-Fabregas) was deep in despair and rage. Her ambitious husband Yason (Yan Yuzon) had left her and their two sons to get married to the princess of Corinth, daughter of King Kreon (Chot Kabigting). Fearing for the safety of his daughter, Kreon ordered Medea to be exiled out of Corinth. Medea pleaded for one more day, which the King granted begrudgingly. Medea knew that was enough time for her to set her plans into action.

"Medea" is a classic tragedy play written by ancient Greek playwright Euripides which was first performed in 431 BC. It was about characters from Greek mythology -- Jason, leader of the Argonauts and hero of the Golden Fleece, and Medea, the sorceress who helped him obtain it. I did not hear the word "sorceress" last night, but the play mentioned that Medea was from Asia, and played a big role in Jason's rise to prominence in society. 

Joseph dela Cruz, Katski Flores, and 

Joel Macaventa

This adaptation of "Medea" was translated into Filipino by none other than National Artist for Theater Rolando Tinio. It stars some alumni of Tanghalang Ateneo who had just been spurred back to activity by the death of their inspirational mentor Ricky Abad. I was in awe when I watched Miren Alvarez-Fabregas, Yan Yuzon, Joseph dela Cruz reunite after a 20-year acting hiatus in "Mga Multo" last July, and I made sure I will not miss this new show.

Miren Alvarez-Fabregas was a force of nature here as Medea. We only hear her eerie cries of anguish and woe from offstage for the first fifteen minutes, and it was already giving us goosebumps. From the moment she appeared on stage, she owned our full attention the whole time. We felt her wrath and desperation escalating to the point of madness, until they peaked in that spectacularly-staged, smoky and chilling climax on her chariot. 

Pickles Leonidas and Goldie Soon

Yan Yuzon possessed a very strong and confident stage presence, with an easily malleable and expressive face. Yason's emotions were at a constant high in the last thirty minutes of the play, so he was practically shouting in rage, incredulity and shock the whole time, for which he would need ample quality voice rest afterwards to recover. We hated him as the scornful philanderer at the start, just as we can still empathize with his bereavement at the end.

The supporting cast likewise gave strong performances -- Joseph dela Cruz as Medea's supportive friend Egeo who also witnessed the outcome of her act of vengeance, Katski Flores played Medea's old Yaya who worried about her mistress, Joel Macaventa (Mark Aranal alternates) played Medea's sons' Maestro who worried about his wards. The chorus of two -- Gold Soon and Pickles Leonidas -- helped the story along with their narration and as Medea's friends. 

Yam Yuzon and Miren Alvarez-Fabregas

Under the direction of Ron Capinding, the show ran for 1 hour and 40 minutes without an intermission. Tata Tuviera's rectangular stage was the courtyard of Medea's house set in between two raised bleachers on both long sides for the audience. Don't take those seemingly textured walls on both short ends for granted. Tuviera's costumes and Ara Fernando's makeup gave a Central Asian vibe. Zak Capinding's sound and music evoke tension and danger.

What a strong central female character who took agency, no matter how divisive or controversial her decisions are, this classic is feminist at its core. Even up to the present time, in any corner of the world, women are still often in situations where they are caught between a rock and hard place. While Medea's dilemma may be an extreme example of agency, her story remains a thought-provoking piece that will always invite debate anytime and anywhere. 

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Tanghalang Ateneo's production of "MEDEA" runs from November 12 to 24, 2024 at the FA Black Box Theater in the Old Communications Building of the Ateneo de Manila University. Shows at 7 pm, with 2 pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets available via this LINK. Basic price is P700, with appropriate discounts as the case may be.