PH play stages send-off show before Monaco debut

BOGT Philippines, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), will stage a special fundraising performance of 13th of September on 10 August, Sunday), 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez, CCP.

The one-day event serves as a send-off before the group represents the Philippines at the 18th Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco from 20 to 27 August. 

The delegation will perform on 26 and 27 August at the Princess Grace Theater, closing the prestigious non-competitive festival alongside companies from Lithuania and Morocco.

13th of September, adapted by Palanca awardee Eljay Castro Deldoc from Lanie Robertson’s The Insanity of Mary Girard, reimagines the story of a woman confined to an asylum in 18th century America. 

In this version, Mary Girard is 56 and facing her last night in confinement. Haunted by memories of betrayal, she relives key moments from her past — questioning what is real, and whether she was ever truly insane.

The production is directed by Riki Benedicto, whose works have been staged internationally. Leading the cast is actor and director Andoy Ranay, known for his work in theatre, film, and recent television hits such as Dirty Linen and Senior High.

He is joined by Lao Rodriguez, veteran of Tanghalang Pilipino and films like Honor Thy Father, and Drew Espenocilla, a theatre artist from Sorsogon who advocates for heritage and community storytelling.

This is only the second time the Philippines will participate in the Monaco festival since its founding in 1957. The first was in 1997, when the Philippine High School for the Arts presented Labaw Donggon, a dance-drama based on a Visayan epic.

Founded in 2019, BOGT Philippines is an independent theatre company focused on bringing Filipino stories to global audiences. It has previously represented the country in theatre festivals in Canada and Germany.

Tickets for 13th of September are available at Ticketworld.com. Prices are Php 1,000 (centre) and Php 800 (sides). Proceeds will support the group’s participation in Monaco.