Niel de Mesa’s “I Laugh You” comedy and “Mga Obra ni Maestra” (Philippines’ 1st Animé play) onstage at the Huseng Batute, February 9,10!

Niel de Mesa’s Palanca award winning and critically acclaimed comedy, “I Laugh You” is back due to insistent public demand. A romantic farce about the psychological foibles of courtship, this “laugh-trip” play couples old Tagalog wordplay with speed dating. It will feature Koiné’s best actors; Eliza Agabin and Evert Gandarosa. The one-act play will run in tandem with the revolutionary multimedia animé play, “Mga Obra ni Maestra”. Considered as one of the best plays of 2007 (PDI Dec 2007), this “Obra” earned standing ovations and accolades at the third Virgin Labfest which was held at the CCP last July 2007. The story revolves on three teens—with funky superpowers under the tutelage of the invincible Maestra. After receiving a text message that their nemesis, General Phorab, is on a rampage, the novice heroes eagerly muster their resolve to the society at large. The only “thing” discouraging them from doing so—are their parents. Will their stubborn resolve to save people suceed in the end or will the fear of being grounded overcome them? This play features the Koiné Elite Scholars; Nympha Gonzalez, Cashlyn Cuarez, and Abbey Gonzalez (cited as one of the best steg actresses of 2007). Both plays were designed by famed haute couturier, Edgar San Diego (President of FDAP). So bring your V-day dates or kids because there will definitely be something for everyone when Koiné comes back onstage this February.

Call 4337886 or 09179726514 to reserve Koiné’s limited seats. Reserved seating only (audience members who will arrive later than 7:15pm forfeits their reservations automatically to give way to walk-ins). You can vist Koiné One Acts at www.amazingkoineshows.com or email them at ktfi2001@yahoo.com. Tickets paid before January 15, 2007 can avail of our Php150 per ticket “early bird” promo price. Reserved and tickets bought at the CCP FOH / Box Office after January 15, 2007 will already be Php280 each.

REVIEWS:

“Niel de Mesa’s award winning play translates well onstage. It is Filipino wordplay at its best, and it’s where the playwright’s inventiveness shines through. De Mesa wields a mighty pen, if it has the power to get audiences lost for breath even as they’re just in their seats. Frantic and funny, the comedy has you doubled over from the first minute to the last, you have to be thankful it’s pretty swift or you’ll be passing gas all the way home.” -Mayee Corpin, clickthecity.com, 28 Dec 2005

“…this play as the Labfest’s best entry. Two other play could compete for that honor, give or take a few point. Niel de Mesa’s children’s play, ‘Mga Obra ni Maestra,’ which he also directed, was a terrific blend of sassy theater and video animé elements—a way forward, if you will, for a generation of audiences weaned on MTV and Japanese manga. This fully realized concoction of outrageous costumes, earnest dialogue and wide-ranging imagination engaged the senses from beginning to end.” -Gibbs Cadiz, Philippine Daily Inquirer Aug 2007