6 - The Bizarre Vision of Reality

There are different types of theatres in accordance to the different types of genres that exist. One particular theatre is the Theatre of the Absurd, which shows an idea that does not keep an eye on an answer to a valid explanation. It takes the pointless idea and turns it into something interesting, which is why some people were left confused and tangled with boggling ideas in their mind after watching this type of play.

Last October 9-10, Asia Pacific College’s Teatré Phileo presented "Ang Tatay Mong Kalbo", which is an absurd play that emphasizes the silliness of human existence. In the play, words lost their capability to convey sense.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Santos

The story started with Mr. and Mrs. Santos in their living room, exchanging casual talks about their dinner, the news of the day and a family who all happened to share the name of Gin Santos. The ridiculousness in their words disturbed both of them.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Reyes

Hepe and Maria

The play sustained as the doorbell rings, and Mr. and Mrs. Reyes, arrived. Mr. Reyes thinks he used to know Mrs. Reyes before. But even after he believes he has proven that he and Mrs. Reyes are married and having the same child they were both telling, the Santos' maid reveals that Mr. Reyes has only piled up a surprising set of twists of fate. When both the couples met and talked, more senseless dialogues happened when they argue in many pointless things. The connection between Maria, Mr. and Mrs. Santos’ maid and Hepe succeeded the concluding chaos of random words into which the characters descend. The humor in the play resides primarily in the coated absurdity of the characters' verbal interactions. At the play's climax, a horrifying message is said as the characters gave another some of nonsense phrases. The play ended when the lights are on for Mr. and Mrs. Reyes, talking the same way Mr. and Mrs. Santos started the story.

All in all, the actors, as well as the technical team gave justice to the 'entertainment' factor a play must have. Even though I didn’t understand most parts of the play, I guess the message it conveys is the difference between man and woman in conversations. Women typically just want to be heard, men, on the other hand, usually offer a quick solution to what was being said. The clash between both sexes can never be denied because of both preferences and beliefs that existed even before.