Up Close With REP Unplugged

Repertory Philippines explores immersive storytelling through distinct and thought-provoking plays.

Words Mian Centeno
Photos courtesy of Repertory Philippines
March 30, 2026

The Repertory Philippines opens its 89th season with REP Unplugged, a new series of staged readings that trades big sets for a closer, more personal theater experience.

Designed to bring audiences into the performance, the format breaks the usual distance between stage and seat. Select guests may even be seated onstage, with interactive moments and post-show discussions built into each run.

“Our goal is to create a more intimate and immersive theatrical experience, where the boundaries between performer and audience are softened,” says REP President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. “By inviting some guests to be seated on stage, incorporating interactive elements, and fostering dialogue through post-performance discussions, we aim to cultivate a sense of inclusivity and reaffirm our commitment to explore innovative theatrical forms.”

Anchored on the theme “By love, transformed,” the series presents two contrasting works. Artistic Director Jermy Domingo shares that the pairing reflects nostalgia and a step toward contemporary storytelling.

First is Private Lives by Noël Coward, directed by Domingo. The 1930s comedy follows exes Elyot and Amanda—played by Missy Maramara and Alfredo Reyes—who unexpectedly reunite while honeymooning with new partners in adjoining hotel rooms. Old tensions resurface as their connection proves hard to ignore. Also in the cast are Karylle Tatlonghari, Hanss Eckstein, and Sevee Eslabra.

Balancing the lineup is Sole Survivor, a new play by Patricia Manuel Go, directed by Cara Barredo. It follows Filipino-British twins on a chaotic trip from Makati to Manhattan in search of a designer shoe—blending humor with questions about ambition, value, and survival. The cast includes Giannina Ocampo Van Hoven, Markki Stroem, Naths Everett, Ring Antonio, Chesko Rodriguez, and Becca Coates.

Private Lives ran from March 21 to 22, followed by Sole Survivor last March 28 to 29 at 7:00 PM at the REP Eastwood Theater in Eastwood CityWalk 2.