How far can ’20 Questions’ take you?

MANILA, Philippines – One room, two people, and 20 questions. How do you think the story will unfold?

It was a different experience to see young dynamic actors perform an exclusive dry run of the Palanca Award-winning piece “20 Questions” by Christian Vallez (who is more popularly known via his pen name Juan Ekis).

The set up was very simple: a hotel room, with the director sitting casually across his two actors with their scripts in hand. However calm it may have seem upfront, you could feel that their level of performance was on point.

It felt as if you were just watching two friends talking about relatable, everyday topics – relationships, love, lust, and friendship.

What people could look forward to when they watch the actual play is the experience of watching a performance in a room where you can almost see everyone’s reactions up close – exciting for the climactic and controversial dialogue between the two characters, Jigs and Yumi.

20 Questions: A classic

In “20 Questions,” Christian Vallez brings back his contemporary piece that tells the narrative of two friends, Jigs and Yumi, who play a game to keep a barkada tradition alive. The two are locked in a room for 24 hours with just a bottle of wine. No lies. No inhibitions. Just 20 questions answered in all honesty.

But the conversation goes deeper than just answering these questions alternately. As the story goes on, it’s as if you also get to know the characters even more. You understand why they made the decisions they made, why they like the people they like, and you get to understand what type of people they are as they tell their own stories.

The play was first staged in 2006 at the Center for the Arts in Quezon City and again in 2008 at the University of Makati. On January 2017, “20 Questions” will be reprised by a dynamic group of young individuals who will still be directed by Christian Vallez.

There will several interpretations of the play. Three pairs of young actors will play the lead characters, giving the audience a unique experience with each showing. The actors who will share their talent onstage come from different backgrounds, but share the same passion and commitment to making this project a success.

Actors Eggy Manuel, Luis Sumera, and Jedidah Maigue will portray Jigs, while actors Eri Durr, Alyana Dalisay, and Diandra Concepcion will portray Yumi.

Next year’s run of “20 Questions” will be staged at the The Axon in Green Sun Hotel, Makati City as part of Green Sun’s advocacy to support young Filipino talent. Green Sun will also continue to produce other local plays throughout the year as well.

Show dates are as follows:

• January 6
• January 7
• January 8
• January 11
• January 13
• January 14
• Jaunary 15
• January 20
• January 21
• January 22

For more information, visit 20 Questions’ official Facebook page here. – Rappler.com