CATCH exceptional performances by Marco Sison, feel the spirit of love with OPM legend and the original “Kilabot ng Kolehiyala” Hajji Alejandro, be serenaded by Nonoy Zuñiga’s smooth vocals, enjoy an evening of laughter with singer-comediennes Nanette Inventor, known as “The Funny Lady of Songs” and Mitch Valdes, a true icon in Philippine showbiz.

The veteran performers will join in Our Time: A Solaire Valentine Concert. Fill your souls with good music and celebrate Valentine’s Day at Solaire Resort Entertainment City, happening on February 14, 7:30 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire.

Enjoy an evening full of love during this special occasion and create memories that will last forever.

At the helm Our Time: A Solaire Valentine Concert is Floy Quintos, with Gerry Matias as musical director.

Three British-Filipino theater actors flown in for ‘Betrayal’

WHEN Repertory Philippines raises the curtains for its 87th season, it will be the Philippine premiere of Pinter’s Betrayal, with a new cast and director to be introduced to local audiences.

Three UK-based British-Filipino theater actors have been flown in to Manila to banner Harold Pinter’s three-hander, ‘Betrayal’ interestingly inspired by the playwright’s own, seven-year marital affair.

At the helm of ‘Betrayal’ is critically acclaimed actor and theater director, New York and London-based Victor Lirio, who will direct for the first time for Rep.

London-based British-Filipino actors James Cooney, James Bradwell and Vanessa White were flown in to Manila to headline the play. They were personally chosen by Victor for Betrayal.

When Lirio was offered by president and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio to direct for Rep’s 87th season, he was asked for any classical or contemporary work that he wanted to propose.

“I said I’d love to do ‘Betrayal.’ I’ve been to London a lot the last five years and I’ve seen the works of the actors we selected for ‘Betrayal’. I worked with them for the Bridge project and I’ve seen their works.

“The name of Vanessa White, I never previously encountered, so I Googled and learned she is a pop star. I asked, ‘Will she come to the theater and auditioned?’ She did a terrific work.”

“I was very, very happy to form these three brilliant actors. The next task was to bridge them with local Filipino actors. I read about Regina De Vera and I was blown away. I know she trained at Julliard.

“Jef Flores, I knew from 2006. I’ve seen him in a couple of plays here in Manila, as well. He did a wonderful job. I supposed when stars are aligned, good things happen.”

Apparently, casting didn’t become a challenge for Victor. “This is two-year theoretical project for us. When ‘Betrayal’ happened for Repertory, the desire of these artists to come to Manila, was never a question. It was their first time to work here, although not their first time coming here.”

Although all three actors were born in England, Cooney and White’s families are based in Davao, while Bradwell’s is from Naga City.

The “brilliance” of Harold Pinter is that Betrayal is his only play that goes back in time. The timeline is nine years, which highlight his life experiences.

Betrayal is part of Rep’s Bridge Project, a collaboration among global professional theater practitioners of Filipino descent from New York, London and Manila. Launched by Victor in June 2020 in London, Bridge Project is now in partnership with Rep Manila.

“Betrayal” will feature set design by Miguel Urbino, lighting design by John Batalla, sound design by Fabian Obispo and costume design by Becky Bodurtha.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio