THEATER REVIEW: THE VIBRATOR PLAY

Writer: Mark Anthony Cabrera Photographer: Trixie Dauz

Provocative, raunchy and vibrant- these three words came to my mind after watching Repertory Philippines’ In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play.

Based on the Play written by Sarah Ruhl, it tackles the story of gynecological and hysterical disorder expert Dr. Givings (Joshua Spafford). Dr.Givings is very much into his craft . Set in 1880’s New York,the play introduces us to the life of Dr.Givings including his wife Catherine (Giannina Ocampo Van Hoven) who gave birth to a baby girl who had to find a wet nurse because the latter’s milk was deemed inadequate for her baby, much to her disappointment.

During the course of the play, we meet Sabrina Daldry (Caisa Borromeo), a woman who used to be so vibrant and lively until her insecurities got the best of her. Her husband ,Mr.Daldry, in the hopes of bringing back the wife he knew decided to take chances and takes Sabrina to Dr. Givings for treatment. Annie (Tami Monsod), the doctor's assistant, also has a pivotal role in the play.

But can a machine (vibrator) really cure lack of intimacy? The premise of the play is brilliant as it focuses on a lot of things married couples could all relate too. Sometimes we get caught up with all the workload and forget the needs of our spouses.

Then comes Elizabeth, a young maiden who loses her baby but has enough milk that Catherine needs so she in turn hired her to come ever so often to feed Catherine’s Baby.

The play gets a little more interesting with the arrival of Leo Irving (Jef Flores ),the renaissance man who has a way with words and the arts. With their lives all tangled in this web of intimacy, who gets to win and who loses?

I loved how the set looked, it’s exquisitely beautiful and music is lovely to the ears. And how does an vibrator look during that time? You have to watch it to find out for yourselves.

The last scene was brilliant and I’d leave it all to everyone’s imagination.

Repertory Philippines is definitely spicing things up on their 50th year. Repertory Philippines’ In the Next Room or the Vibrator Play runs from March 24 to April 2017 at the Onstage Theater at Greenbelt 1.The play is directed by no less than Chris Millado. For ticket inquries ,you may call REP at 843-3570 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.