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To open its third season, Artist Playground is set to present, for the first time in Asia, James Chalmers’ 2009 one-act play Prelude to Macbeth at the 1701 The Little Room Upstars from February 23 to 26.
First staged by Chalmers’ own drama group Shoreline at the United Kingdom’s Leverhulme Drama Festival and the Wilmslow Festival of One-act Plays, Prelude to Macbeth is a prequel to William Shakespeare’s enduring tragedy that shows how the title character becomes the Thane of Glamis and how he meets Lorna Stewart, who would later become Lady Macbeth.
Written in blank verse, which was fashionable among Shakespeare’s contemporaries, Prelude to Macbeth won the 2010 Seahorse Award for best play at the Moondance Film Festival in the United States.
Playing the title role is award-winning actor Paul Jake Paule, who is supported by Mitoy Sta. Ana and Andre Tiangco, who alternate in the role of Duncan, king of Scotland; Cath Go and Jernice Matunan, who take turns portraying Lorna; and Gio Cabanlit and Jarden de Guzman, who alternate in the part of Callum, the wise fool. Merdin Mojica, Tasha Guerrero, Kia del Rosario, Princess Tuason, and Jeremy Cabansag complete the cast.
Artist Playground Artistic Director Roeder Camañag directs Prelude to Macbeth. He heads an artistic and production team that includes musical director Jesse Lucas, production designer Reynoso Mercado, lighting designer Pauline Martinez, choreographer Merdin Mojica, speech consultant Banaue Miclat-Janssen, production manager Kimberly Claire Somoza, stage manager Rowena Jarito, technical director Glenn Caspe, and publicist Toots Tolentino.
Shows of Prelude to Macbeth are at 7 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 3 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. 1701 The Little Room Upstairs is located in Landsdale Tower, Mother Ignacia Ave. corner Timog Ave., Quezon City. For tickets and inquiries, call or send a text message to 0926-9323179 or visit www.facebook.com/artplayg.