History of Philippine Theater

History of Philippine Theater
Pre-colonial Time
During the pre-historic times, theater in the Philippines was in the form of indigenous
rituals, verbal jousts or games, or songs and dances to praise gods. According to
early chronicles, pre-historic dramas consisted of three elements – myth, mimesis,
and spectacle.
These mimetic performances mostly dramatized primitive rituals and epic poetry
about deities and mythical legends, where the spirit of the deities would seemingly
possess a catalonan (priest) or babaylan (priestess).
During this entranced state, the priest or priestess would consume the sacrificial
offering, which could be in the form of a pig, chicken, rice, wine, or nuts.
"…seemed to shoot flames from her eyes; her hair stood on end, a fearful sight to
those beholding, and she uttered words of arrogance and superiority." – Juan de
Plasencia, 1590
Spanish Regime
When the Spaniards reached our shores, they used dramas such as zarzuelas as a
pedagogical tool to influence the pagan tribes and teach them about Christianity and
religion.
Another important form of theater popularized during the Spanish colonization is the
comedia, also known as moro-moro, linambay, or arakyo. It’s a play in verse that
portrays the lives, loves, and wars of moors and Christians.
Moro-Moro is a secular comedy that dramatizes the war between Christians and
Muslims through the forbidden love between the prince and the princess. The
comedy is resolved with the non-Christian being converted to Christianity, or through
his or her death, immediately followed by his or her resurrection.
Comedias were normally performed in the pueblos or village centers to attract more
people to the foundation of its regime. The comedia can last anywhere from 3 to 15
hours through a series of performances. The first Filipino comedia was performed in
Latin and Spanish by Fr. Vicente Puche in Cebu in 1598.
On the other hand, a zarzuela is a form of musical theater that combines spoken
word and song that celebrates various Catholic liturgical feasts. Jugar Con Fuego by
Francisco Asenjo Barbieri was the first zarzuela introduced in the country in late
1878 or early 1879.
By August 17, 1893, Teatro Zorilla, the home of zarzuela, was inaugurated.
Throughout the 333 years of the Spanish regime, the Philippines was widely
influenced by their culture, tradition, and religion. Today, zarzuelas and comedias
are still being performed, albeit with other cultural influences and contemporary
touches.
American Colonization
When American colonial rule was established, the United States introduced the
American way of life through education, media, and language. Their influence on
Philippine theatre is most apparent through the bodabil (vaudeville) and the plays
and dramas staged or translated into English.
In 1898, the first bodabil was produced by the Manila Dramatic Guild for the sole
purpose of entertaining American soldiers and other Americans residing in Manila. It
was also the first theatrical performance since the revolution.
The bodabil is not a straight-up play. The theatrical performance is, in fact, a mix of
songs, dances, comedy skits, and even magical performances. Local audiences
bought-in and productions soon found themselves becoming entertainment
spectacles that can be transported from one town to the next. Not long after, the
bodabil was interjected into comedias and zarzuelas, as intermission numbers
known as jamborees.
In the 1930s, the country was introduced to Broadway theatre or stage plays through
the westernized education that was provided in most private schools for privileged
children. Shakespearean tragedies and comedies, as well as western classics, were
performed in the original English or English adaptation.
The Japanese Occupation
By the 1940s, when the Japanese took over the Philippines from the Americans,
movie actors and actresses could no longer appear in films, as the Japanese
confiscated all film equipment. However, the comedia, zarzuela, and bodabil
remained in the country as forms of entertainment and expression.
Eventually, the bodabil evolved to become stage shows or variety shows with a short
melodrama at the end to accommodate the actors and actresses who moved their
craft to bodabil and theatre. Venues such as the Manila Grand Opera House and the
Savoy Theatre became homes of bodabil.
After the war, movies returned to popularity, and the bodabil era slowly lost its luster.
Stage shows became small, cheap performances held in open-air stages in the
provinces. Sadly, the bodabil deteriorated decades later to become burlesque and
strip shows held in cheap theatres around American military bases.
Philippine Theatre as We Know It Today
After the Japanese occupation, the Philippine theatre has evolved to become an
amalgamation of the various influences such that of the zarzuela, comedia, bodabil,
and western classics. Theatre was largely performed in English during the time, as it
became a large part of classroom education. Meanwhile, zarzuelas such as “Ang
Kiri,” “Dalagang Bukid,” and “Paglipis ng Dilim” became well-known beyond their
regions.
By the 1950s, theatre had moved out of classrooms and the concept of paying for a
ticket to see a theatrical performance emerged. This “legitimate” theatre was held in
closed theaters – these became events in themselves, not just mere parts of a
celebration or religious ritual.
During this time, playwrights such as Severino Montano, Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero, and
Alberto S. Florentino honed their crafts and contributed to the development of
performing arts in the Philippines.
Through the years, Philippine theatre groups have staged numerous plays in both
English and Filipino, be it written by a Western or local playwright. Spanish culture
and traditions largely influence performing arts in the Philippines, but the
contemporary style is borrowed from the Americans. Classic shows such as The
Westside Story and Sound of Music made waves in recent years when it took the
local stage. This year, The Theatre at Solaire presents The Lion King, an
internationally renowned production set to wow Philippine audiences.

History of Philippine Theater

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History of Philippine Theater

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History of Philippine Theater

The Japanese Occupation

Philippine Theatre as We Know It Today

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