Summary
Repertory Philippines Foundation Inc. (REP) is a Filipino theater company dedicated to showcasing English-language productions.[1]
 | |
| Formation | March 1967 |
|---|---|
| Founders | Zenaida Amador Carmen Barredo Leo Martinez Tony Mercado Monina Mercado |
| Type | Private |
| Headquarters | Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines |
| Location |
|
| Services | Play and musical performances, performing arts workshops |
Chairman, President and CEO | Mindy Perez-Rubio |
| Website | repertoryphilippines |
History edit
Repertory Philippines was established in March 1967 by five actors: Zenaida Amador, Carmen Barredo, Leo Martinez, Tony Mercado, and Monina Mercado.[2] Its first production was a Tagalog-language adaptation of Miss Julie by August Strindberg, directed by Rolando Tinio.[3] In its early years, REP experienced difficulty in attracting audiences for its plays; the owners assessed that the paying audience preferred plays in English and those authored by American and European playwrights.[3] REP's debut play Miss Julie had poor viewership which led the theater company to focus on English-language plays.[1] With the patronage of Jaime Zobel de Ayala, the viewership of REP's plays gradually increased. Most of the theater group's productions were derived from classic English-language plays and Broadway musicals.[4]
In 1988, REP-trained actors including Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson were selected to join the original West End company of Cameron Mackintosh's Miss Saigon.[3]
Venues edit
Since 2024, Repertory Philippines' home venue is the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati,[5] while a new venue at Eastwood Citywalk in Eastwood City, Quezon City is slated to open in October.[6] Prior to that period, REP did productions at the Insular Life Auditorium in Makati (1967–1992), the William Shaw Theater at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong (1992–2002), and the OnStage Theater at Greenbelt 1, Makati (2002–2024). The theater group also did plays at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the Meralco Theater, and the now-defunct Rizal Theater in Makati.[1]
Reputation edit
Repertory Philippines is known for producing plays in English – a subject of criticism by Filipino nationalists, although the theater company has a policy of not hiring foreign actors for the lead roles in their plays.[3][4]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Marasigan, Dennis (April 1, 2017). "Peta and Rep turn 50: Why it's also a golden moment for PH theater". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Llamas, Cora (February 20, 2016). "Remembering Bibot Amador, 'the lovable terror'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Llamas, Cora (March 15, 2014). "Baby Barredo on Bibot Amador: 'It was a platonic relationship'". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ a b Casanova, Arthur (1984). "Tungo sa Propesyonal na Dulaan". Kasaysayan at pag-unlad ng dulaang Pilipino [History and Development of Philippine Plays] (in Tagalog). Rex Printing Company, Inc. pp. 99–101. ISBN 9712301818. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
- ^ Palo, Marian Luisa (December 5, 2023). "Repertory Philippines Brings Theater Back On-Stage for Season 87". Art+ Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Megan (March 13, 2024). "Eastwood City Becomes New Home of Repertory Philippines". Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. Retrieved April 2, 2024.