A glimpse inside 'Mind's Eye'

The local theater scene has seen a lot of pomp and pageantry lately with all the big-name musicals being staged around the metro. However, “thinking” plays are few and far between. One such play to look forward to is “Mind’s Eye,” which is based on a young adult novel of the same name, written by Paul Fleischman.

 

“Mind’s Eye” will take the audience on a fantasy journey through the narrative of its two main characters, an 88-year-old lady named Elva and a 16-year-old girl named Courtney.

 

In the play, the unlikely pair will share a profound life experience using their power of imagination. They find themselves sharing a room in the nursing home due to their respective physical limitations. Courtney is paralyzed from waist down while Elva cannot indulge in her passion for literature because of her sight disability. The old woman though, convinces the youngster to read a 1910 Baedeker travel guidebook and they both utilize their imagination to take them to places such as Naples, Rome, and Florence.

 

Together, they learn how powerful—and dangerous—the tool of imagination can be. In the end, they discover more about themselves.  

'Mind's Eye' take-away message

 

The play adaptation of “Mind’s Eye” will debut in the Philippines this month. It showcases two talented thespians, Joy Virata and Jenny Jamora. Virata will portray the older lady while Jamora will play the youngster. 

 

Virata had actually read the book about three years ago, when veteran stage director, Jaime del Mundo, gave her a copy and she instantly fell in love with it. Virata recalls her college days when she would commute from the university and play with her imagination during the long trip home. “I would completely go away,” she shares how she would go to another place—far from the dust, dirt and city traffic. During those trips, she would create wonderful stories in her mind.

 

Fast forward to several years later when she would star in a play where imagination plays a big role. Virata is thrilled about portraying the determined Elva in “Mind’s Eye.” “I’m able to spout poetry. I like the character, I love the poetry in it, I love the message, and the literature,” she tells reporters at an intimate press lunch recently.

 

According to the director, del Mundo, “Basically, what the play is saying is that reading can be life-changing. Literature can be life-changing.” “Mind’s Eye” seeks to impart the message that reading and exposure to the arts is important for young adults. Actually, audience of all ages would benefit from the play’s message.

 

The cast also includes Caisa Borromeo and Red Concepcion, with a special participation of renowned theater actress, Nate Crame Rogers. –KG, GMA News

 

“Mind’s Eye” will have its worldwide theatrical debut in the Philippines on November 9 and 10, 2012 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. It is presented by C. Virata Advisory and Gillian Joyce Virata.

 

For ticket inquiries, call Elaine Coloma at (+632) 928-7419 or (0905) 439-2027, or visit mindseyeplay.eventbrite.com. Check out its Facebook page at facebook.com/MindsEyePlay or follow twitter.com/MindsEyePlay_PH on Twitter.