BY NIKA ROQUE
Banking on the waves the show created when Dulaang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas first staged it in 1990 — combining that with the acclaimed performance of RS Francisco in the title role, the Tony Award winning play “M. Butterfly” is now catering to a wider audience of the new generation.
It can be recalled that when the play was first performed in Manila 30 years ago, the graphic and controversial themes tackled were considered taboos.
As such, now that they are restaging at a time when the audience is supposedly open-minded and more open to these themes, the team behind M. Butterfly is doing its best to put the play under a new light.
In the story, Song Liling or Madam Butterfly is in an extra-marital affair with straight French diplomat played by Olivier Borter.
Francisco was only 18 years old when he first starred as Song Liling or Madam Butterfly, an Asian transwoman and opera performer in an extra-marital affair with a straight French diplomat played by Olivier Borten. Interwoven in the LGBT and racial themes of the play are numerous political issues.
“M. Butterfly, based on a true story, is truer than ever and more relevant today than when it was originally written in 1988 by the great David Henry Hwang,” said director Kanakan-Balintagos (formerly known as Auraeus Solito).
With a roster of impressive creations which includes the music video for “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” by The Eraserheads, and the first Cinemalaya Special Jury Prize awardee “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros,” the intriguing visual mindset of director Kanakan-Balintagos was present all throughout.
‘M. Butterfly’ was originally written in 1988 by the great David Henry Hwang
Paired with eye-catching costumes and a unique production design, the play keeps the audience on the edge of their seats as the characters’ secrets are revealed at unexpected times during the performance.
In the conservative period of the 1990s, Francisco was able to deliver an energetic and iconic performance brought about by his passion for the arts. As such, the theater has garnered long lines of curious audiences and became the most talked about Dulaang UP play at the time.
The talented actor expressed that this role served as a large milestone in his career. After all, he was able to captivate the audience that he is still known as Song Liling today.
RS Francisco was only 18 years old when he first starred as Madam Butterfly
Now that he is no longer the 18-year-old waiting for his big break, Francisco noted he is excited to bring to the audience an update portrayal with the help of all the lessons and accomplishement he has garnered through the years.
Off the stage, Francisco presents his business skills through his marketing and entertainment company Frontrow. He is also co-producing M. Butterfly with Tony and Grammy Award-winner Jhett Tolentino (best known for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Murder,” and the Broadway revival of “The Color Purple,”).
M. Butterfly will hold limited performances at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC until September 30 for the benefit of their partner organizations.
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