They say the truth hurts but having watched DUETS last night, I can say that the truth can funny as well. Being Filipinos, we are non-confrontation about things most of the time and when we do want to express something, we blurt it out through a joke or with a funny line. That's how Repertory Philippines' DUETS dramatized the truths about relationships and situations -- through witty lines and funny circumstances.Having met with Repertory Philippines' Rem Zamora for a partnership at work, I really don't know anything on DUETS except that it is a play with only two actors portraying eight characters between them in four vignettes. So until last night, I was not sure what I was watching. Glad to say that the play did not disappoint me as it entertained me all the way through the four short acts, while giving me truths on relationships to ponder on. My friend, who accompanied me to watch it, kept saying that act one was meant for us, single girls who are hopeful, not desperate, to find love.
The actors, Repertory veterans Joy Virata and Miguel Faustmann, were simple great and they were able to deliver each character different from another.
Vignette one was about singles Jonathan and Wendy who met each other in a blind date through a magazine personal ad. Both characters were awkward at their first meeting, having decided to have a 15- minute chat over having dinner straight away so they won't be forced to stay through an expensive dinner when all they want was to go home, and not wait for dessert any more. Here they tackled the usual "crime" of people putting personal ads -- not declaring their real age and giving a different description of themselves -- for fear that they won't get responses for being truthfully accurate. The real message, I think, is that when people open up and show their real selves, that's when they'll meet people who will genuinely like them and who knows, maybe stumble upon love.
Vignette two was about co-workers who are also friends where Barrie is the gay boss and Janet his hardworking secretary. This one delves with platonic relationship between male and female, staying platonic because the male is gay but the female doesn't really mind although she wishes he was straight. Janet doesn't mind spending her golden years with Barrie but the latter is cheering her up to not lose hope in finding her mate.
Vignette three was about Shelley and Bobby, a divorcing couple who opted to break-up gently while on a holiday. Here, the "uncouple" dished out their dislikes to one another while reminiscing on how they were when the got married. I guess this sort of thing happens when two people outgrow each other and are no longer passionate enough to stick to their wedding vows. The best thing is for them is to talk things out and go their separate ways while they still have respect for each other.
The fourth and last vignette was about Angela and Tobby, middle-aged siblings. Angela was about to get married (her third time already) and Tobby was trying to be supportive of her by not telling the truth about what he hates -- the groom, the wedding dress, the party. But he ended up pushing her sister to go through the wedding when she started making a mess of herself by being wary of "omens" that are telling her not to get married again. The classic case of a brother who only wants the best for his sister.Catch the remaining play dates of DUETS at Greenbelt 1 Onstage this January 29, 30 and 31 for a couple of hours of funny truths and truthful fun.
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