Literary Review - "THE FIESTA"

“The FIESTA”

(Literary Review)

Introduction:

           

“The Fiesta” is a story that happened in the town of Bayawan where an old woman named Doña Ines isolated herself from the community because she still considered herself as a prisoner of what had happened to her twenty years ago. Doña Ines is living in an old but elegant house with her niece Corito and with her servant Aling Soling together with her son Manuel. Doña Ines confessed that she was attempted to be raped by a priest whom she trusted and considered as friend, and that was the reason why she did not allow Corito and Manuel to go to the church and join the procession. To her surprise, her friend Lucia arrived at her house and told all the people living there the truth; the truth that Doña Ines was not raped but instead she really had an affair with the priest and that Corito was their daughter. After twenty years of pretending that Doña Ines was a victim of brutality, her secret was revealed.

This play was performed by the class M2A, starring Jayna Conda and John David Hernandez; directed by Baby Niño Alfonso. Fortunately the play won 3^rd place on the 10^th Drama Fest held by the Literature Department of De La Salle Lipa. The 2^nd Best Actress Awardee even came from the group.

Body:

            I personally chose this play for my review because it really caught my attention and interest.  The actors and actresses are really good in portraying their roles and they were able to give justice to their characters. They were very effective although there were times when their voices are so soft that the audience could hardly hear and understand them.

           

The props and the production were eye- catching and appealing. I was amazed with the class’ creativity and resourcefulness. I observed that most of their props were recycled and cheap in price. Examples of these are the powder in exchange of the smoke machine and the terrace was made of plastic bottles and carton. The over- all set of the production greatly contributed on the success of the play for it was really appropriate with the setting and with what the situation needed.

           

The costumes were simple but I guess they were appropriate enough to give justice to the play. The lights were simple as well. And I observed that their props were so tall that it blocked the possible passage of lights making the characters and the set dark. With that, the lights were not effective and helpful.

            The class used little amount of sound effects but it contributed well in enhancing the character’s emotion. The sounds made the audience feel what the characters are really experiencing.

           

The play was so great and it was really evident that the class is well-prepared for the presentation. I am glad to observe that there were no dead airs and the characters are not turning their back off the audience.  However, there are some points that I think needs to be improved. One of these was the voice quality, there are times that the characters were becoming soft- spoken that the audience can’t really understand what they are saying. Another thing is about the lighting and the props, the position where the lights and the props are placed are not compatible making the lights uneffective to the production. The sizes of their props were also large that sometimes, the audience can’t see the characters that are speaking for they were blocked by the props. For these things to be improved, I think they really have to practice their blockings and consider the size of the stage where they will be performing.

Conclusion:

            All in all, the play was a success and all the characters’ efforts were worth it for they have won. In a rate of 1 to 10, and ten will be the highest, I will rate them as 10 for their performance was so enticing and the strengths of the acting and the production was able to overpower the flaws and weaknesses of the play. And for a drama play to be successful, an enormous effort and energy should be devoted which are very evident to the members of the group.

           

Watching drama plays is really one of my interests that is why when we were asked to watch the drama fest, I never think- twice. I enjoyed the overall performance of all the presenters for being qualified for the finals is already an indication that they are already winners.

           

Conducting and facilitating a Drama Fest is not an easy task that is why I am really pleased and satisfied with the experience given to us. All praises should be given to those people behind this event.