BBC features PETA rap musical ‘William’

A local theater group’s rap musical on the life and works of William Shakespeare has not only sparked the curiosity of local fans, but also caught the attention of a major news organization. The rap musical "William" of the Philippines Educational Theater Association was featured on a September 1 video report by Marek Pruszewics of BBC News. The report described the play as a “modern twist on Shakespeare" that features five high school students from Manila who are struggling to study the playwright’s works. The musical, which has been running for nearly a month now, is written by Ron Capinding and directed by Maribel Legarda.

Courtesy of PETA

The BBC report adds, “the musical touches on themes of adolescence, parents' unconditional love and friendship and promotes respect for teachers and classmates, and advocates love for reading and appreciating literature—Shakespeare or not." Erasing Shakespeare-phobia The rap musical, BBC reported, is PETA’s way of helping the young appreciate the English poet and playwright. But if reviews and comments from those who’ve seen William are to be believed, the young ones aren’t alone in their love for the play. Leloi Arsete of PETA’s public relations office said that parents have also expressed their appreciation. “Some older people say they wished something like William came out when they were younger so they would have appreciated Shakespeare’s work earlier," she told GMA News Online in a telephone interview. Legarda said "William" was the perfect opening play for PETA’s current season, which is centered on Shakespeare. “It’s sort of an overview, a Shakespeare 101," she added. The concept of the rap musical about Shakespeare was inspired by a Fliptop event -- or Pinoy rap battle league -- that Legarda attended. “[Rap] was bagay—in many ways, rap is poetry," said Legarda. Packaging Shakespeare in an art form that's familiar to the younger set also helped move PETA’s goals forward: to make Shakespeare a “'relatable ‘peer’ whose works speak of issues which the youth can relate to," according to the BBC report. “Learning begins when fear is absent," explained Legarda.

Courtesy of PETA

The play features ten original rap songs composed by Jeff Hernandez. “He did a wonderful job of writing the songs—even if he isn’t a rap fan himself," said Legarda. “Nosebleed," “O Shakespear," and “What’s In A Name," are only some of the songs that mix together different music genres such as rock, soul, and rhythm and blues, according to BBC. John Tan of Urban Dance Crew choreographed the rap numbers, featuring hip-hop dance steps such as crumping, breakdance, ballroom and jazz hip-hop. Arsete said that PETA didn’t just want to make Shakespeare accessible to younger people; the group also wanted to encourage the reading of classics in general. Legarda, meanwhile, said she is planning to feature other literary icons to “take away the fear" of studying classic literature. More Shakespeare from PETA William is only the first of PETA’s offerings for their Shakespeare-centric season. Early next year, the group will present "Isang Dosenang Soneta," a concert series featuring Shakespeare’s sonnets as songs. From late January to March 2012, PETA’s King Lear will begin its run to close the current season. “Shakespeare is a person who is relatable. He was the jologs of his time, speaking the language of the streets," said Arsete. - YA, GMA News "William" is showing every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the PETA Theatre Center in Quezon City until September 25, 2011. Tickets go for P350 (regular) and P500 (VIP). Visit PETA’s official website for more information.