Director Ed Lacson Jr. set out to create a unique theatrical experience with the play 'Yemaya', and he succeeded in doing so. The production is unlike any other play being staged in the Philippine theater circuit today, and that's exactly what Lacson aimed to achieve.
At the heart of 'Yemaya' is the collaboration between Lacson and translator Eljay Castro Deldoc. Deldoc, a Palanca award-winning playwright, director, and translator, has masterful command of the Filipino language. Lacson praises his work, saying it's elevated yet accessible.
However, translating Hudes' Pulitzer Prize-winning script into Tagalog wasn't an easy task for Deldoc. He had to be faithful to the source material, which was a challenge for him. Deldoc shared that the initial draft of the translation flowed smoothly, thanks to his similar artistic sensibilities with Hudes' storytelling. This allowed him to bring the play to life in a way that resonated with Filipino audiences.
The play follows a boy overcoming hardships with persistence and imagination, leading him to hop on a raft to sail towards the United States of America, a land of dreams, wonders, and the promise of a fresh start. This captivating story is told through a blend of magical realism and real-life experiences of domestic life, death, displacement, and immigration.
The production's set design is a key element in creating an immersive experience for the audience. Director Lacson is a Gawad Buhay Award winner for his sets and direction, and 'Yemaya' showcases his mastery of building worlds on stage through imagery and scenic design.
The play is staged at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, where the audience is transported to an otherworldly space, like a cavern at the bottom of the ocean. The set pieces float and sink like anchors from above, and the soundscape ripples throughout the theater space, making for a truly immersive experience.
"I knew it was going to be a difficult material to do. But it has a lot to offer as a material to a director because of the images it conjures in your mind, and then how you're going to use your imagination to create this world that [Hudes] painted for you."
- Director Ed Lacson Jr.
Key Facts
• Quiara Alegría Hudes is the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright behind 'Yemaya'. • Eljay Castro Deldoc is the translator who brought the play to life in Tagalog. • Ed Lacson Jr. is the director of 'Yemaya', a two-time Gawad Buhay Award winner. • The play is staged at The Black Box at The Proscenium Theater in Rockwell. • 'Yemaya' explores themes of hardship, imagination, and the American Dream.