Decades later, 'M. Butterfly' returning to local stage, with original star | ABS-CBN
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Decades later, 'M. Butterfly' returning to local stage, with original star
Decades later, 'M. Butterfly' returning to local stage, with original star
ABS-CBN News
Published Jul 03, 2018 04:15 AM PHT
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Updated Jul 03, 2018 10:04 AM PHT
Raymond Francisco was 18 years old when he first took on the role of Song Liling in Dulaang UP's staging of "M. Butterfly," the Tony-winning play about a Chinese opera diva who tricks a French diplomat into falling in love with him, in the guise of a woman.
Raymond Francisco was 18 years old when he first took on the role of Song Liling in Dulaang UP's staging of "M. Butterfly," the Tony-winning play about a Chinese opera diva who tricks a French diplomat into falling in love with him, in the guise of a woman.
That was 28 years ago. Fransico earned raves for his portrayal, and became a favorite among theater followers. In many ways, "M. Butterfly" marked a turning point for him.
That was 28 years ago. Fransico earned raves for his portrayal, and became a favorite among theater followers. In many ways, "M. Butterfly" marked a turning point for him.
"I was so used to acting for free since I was young... On opening night, Tony Mabesa handed me my first paycheck of P2,500, which was for 20 shows," he recalled, pertaining to Dulaang UP's founding artistic director.
"I was so used to acting for free since I was young... On opening night, Tony Mabesa handed me my first paycheck of P2,500, which was for 20 shows," he recalled, pertaining to Dulaang UP's founding artistic director.
"My initial reaction was, 'No, no, no, I'm doing this for free,' kasi doon po ako nasanay. And then he said, 'No, this is yours, you deserve it,'" Francisco added.
"My initial reaction was, 'No, no, no, I'm doing this for free,' kasi doon po ako nasanay. And then he said, 'No, this is yours, you deserve it,'" Francisco added.
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Referring to "M. Butterfly" as the start of his professional career as a theater actor, Francisco is coming full circle as he reprises the role of Song Liling in his own production of the play, with Dulaang UP as one of its beneficiaries.
Referring to "M. Butterfly" as the start of his professional career as a theater actor, Francisco is coming full circle as he reprises the role of Song Liling in his own production of the play, with Dulaang UP as one of its beneficiaries.
Francisco, along with Tony-winning theater producer Jhett Tolentino and director Kanakan Balintagos, announced Monday the numerous other organizations that will benefit from the 15-show run of "M. Butterfly," which kicks off September 14 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig.
Francisco, along with Tony-winning theater producer Jhett Tolentino and director Kanakan Balintagos, announced Monday the numerous other organizations that will benefit from the 15-show run of "M. Butterfly," which kicks off September 14 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in Taguig.
"Dulaang UP has given me so much, and has opened so many doors for me," Francisco said during the show's press launch. "It changed the course of my life, and it brought me to places I never thought I'd go to. This is the time na I want to give back everything with all my power, all my love, and all my heart."
"Dulaang UP has given me so much, and has opened so many doors for me," Francisco said during the show's press launch. "It changed the course of my life, and it brought me to places I never thought I'd go to. This is the time na I want to give back everything with all my power, all my love, and all my heart."
Much, according to Francisco, will be different in this re-staging of "M. Butterfly." For one, his performance of Song Liling will be more "layered."
Much, according to Francisco, will be different in this re-staging of "M. Butterfly." For one, his performance of Song Liling will be more "layered."
He drew a comparison with his first take on the character in 1990: "At the time, I was 18. I didn't have much life experience, so I had to really dig up and try to think I'm 40, I've gone through so much.
He drew a comparison with his first take on the character in 1990: "At the time, I was 18. I didn't have much life experience, so I had to really dig up and try to think I'm 40, I've gone through so much.
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"But now, that I'm a little bit older, with all that I've gone through, all the hardships, all the heartbreaks — I can put them into the character of Song Liling. I feel, with Kanakan Balintagos' direction and motivation, I can layer Song Liling even more. That's how I feel I can do justice to her right now, more than I did then."
"But now, that I'm a little bit older, with all that I've gone through, all the hardships, all the heartbreaks — I can put them into the character of Song Liling. I feel, with Kanakan Balintagos' direction and motivation, I can layer Song Liling even more. That's how I feel I can do justice to her right now, more than I did then."
Tolentino and Frontrow's "M. Butterfly" staging will be based on the original script by David Hwang, whom they assured of staying faithful to the source material.
Tolentino and Frontrow's "M. Butterfly" staging will be based on the original script by David Hwang, whom they assured of staying faithful to the source material.
Acting opposite Francisco as René Gallimard, the French diplomat, is Olivier Borten. They are joined in the cast by Norm Mc Leod as Toulon, Lee O'Brian as Marc, Rebecca Chuaunsu as Comrade Chin, Pinky Amador as Helga, and Maya Encila as Renee.
Acting opposite Francisco as René Gallimard, the French diplomat, is Olivier Borten. They are joined in the cast by Norm Mc Leod as Toulon, Lee O'Brian as Marc, Rebecca Chuaunsu as Comrade Chin, Pinky Amador as Helga, and Maya Encila as Renee.
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