Mad fun, mad learning in 'Alice in Wonderland'

Kids can learn through play as well as from plays. Even in this age of ubiquitous screens, playtime is irreplaceable, and the magic of theater endures.

"Children should be exposed to theater because theater is one of the best ways of stimulating imagination, stimulating creativity," said artistic director Joy Virata at Repertory Philippines' Theater for Young Audiences' press launch of Alice in Wonderland on July 11.

The digital age has not made it difficult to engage the audience, according to Virata. "Once the curtain opens, and as the actors all know, if the audience is noisy, it's not their fault, it's yours. In other words, they're not engaging the children. So they're all very skillful in doing that. And the children always enjoy," she said.

Apart from being entertained, children can learn about good and bad through theater. "There are a lot of children's theater material that have a great moral lesson. Children get that, but it's very subliminal. We don't say this is good, this is bad," said Virata, adding that beyond that, they are able to develop an understanding of themselves and others.

"They learn it, but also they learn how to empathize with characters. They learn how to understand them. It creates a better understanding of human nature, and that's what all of theater does. That's what art does in general," said Virata, who founded Repertory Children's Theater in 1992.

For Virata, those who enjoy theater as children will grow up to contribute to a better country. "Theater becomes a part of their education, a part of their life, and that's what we want to happen to every Filipino child who will grow up to be a Filipino adult," she said.

Like children all over the world, Filipinos have become more and more attached to their gadgets. It has become increasingly difficult to be completely present in the moment. Going out with friends means having a conversation — but only until everyone discovers the Wi-Fi password.

Outdoor play is now a rare occurence, and early this year, the Department of Education launched its 'Di Lang Laro Ang Laro' campaign encouraging active play as an important part of children's health and holistic development.

According to DepEd legal affairs assistant secretary Atty. Tonisito Umali, playing teaches children lessons such as focus and cooperation.

When it comes to children's theater, the audience is also encouraged to become part of the play. "We always manage to find something to involve the audiences," said Virata, sharing that in Alice in Wonderland, children will be asked to solve a riddle, as well as dance along to "I'm Mad, You're Mad."

The decision to stage "Alice in Wonderland" was a practical one, Virata shared. "We have about seven or eight children's classics that we always do... it was Alice's turn to go back onstage," she said.

Although this is the second time the company is staging Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy's adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic, Virata said returning audiences can expect something different. "We never do it in the same way," she said. This year's staging is origami-inspired, with a whimsical set and candy-colored costumes made with felt cloth.

Even the very young audiences can enjoy the play, as it is very child-friendly. "Their dialogue is short and easy to understand for all kids. Especially nowadays, sometimes kids don't understand a lot of English. So it's easy for them to understand," said Virata, explaining why the company prefers to stage plays written by Eiler and Bargy.

"Secondly, the music is always good. Thirdly, there's always a lot of humor in it, fourth it's short, it's only about one hour and a half," she continued.

The most important thing is for it to be fun, Virata said. "I just hope that they will learn to have fun, and how to use their imagination. Alice is a crazy play, one of the craziest plays ever written, but it's also one of the best known classic stories of children's literature," she said. — BM, GMA News

Alice in Wonderland opens on August 17, 2013 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Makati City. For more information, visit www.repertoryphilippines.com.