Now this is something very interesting. Calling all manga/anime Japanese film fans!
Sipat Lawin Ensemble collaborates with Australian playwrights David Finnigan, Jordan Prosser, Sam Burns-Warr, and Georgie McAuley in Battalia Royale on February 21-23, 8 PM at the CCP Ramp. This
production is a live-game performance and loose-adaptation of Koushun Takami’s 2001 novel, Battle Royale. A controversial and hugely popular text, Battle Royale has since been produced as a film and a manga series. The Ensemble’s Battalia Royale is the first loose stage adaptation of Takami’s novel.
The story follows a class of 15-year-old high school students who leave on a school trip but are kidnapped then forced into a deadly game. The rules: kill each other, or die. He who lives, wins. This
suspenseful, action-packed piece is made up of a cast of 40 seasoned performers. No fourth wall here, as the audience is made part of their deadly game, making Battalia Royale the most exciting theater
experience this season.
Bodjie Pascua of Batibot fame guest stars as class adviser and head game master, leading the students, played by graduates of Philippine High School for the arts.
Other guest performers at play are Marco Viana (Virgin Labfest 8’s Kawala and Kafatiran and Tanghalang Pilipino’s Bombita), university theater student players from Mapua Tekno Teatro, Dulaang Perpetual,
students from National University, and YouTube teen icon Kevin Vitug (SirKevinMartin, well-known for his Shit spoiled Filipino teenagers say videos).
There are even stars behind the scenes, with award-winning sound designer and composer, Teresa Barrozo (Zombadings 1, Shake Rattle and Roll 13: Rain, Rain Go Away, Kinatay), and prolific jazz rock band,
Radioactive Sago Project doing sounds and music.
Known as an open-to-the-public; outdoor theater company, the Sipat Lawin Ensemble (SLE) has recently gained popularity for bringing theater performance back to life by taking it outside the theater’s
four-walls.
Battalia Royale is co-presented by the National University in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
All performances are open to the public, with pay-what-you-can rates.
For show buying, sponsorships, inquiries, and other information, call SLE at 0917-500-8753 or (02)964-5949 or e-mail [email protected]. Like Battalia Royale’s community page
on Facebook to get live updates on the show’s progress. For other updates, follow the Ensemble on Twitter (@SipatLawin) and Facebook (Sipat Lawin Ensemble), and subscribe to their channel at
youtube.com/sipatlawin.