The reimagining of Lanie Robertson’s The Insanity of Mary Girard is a moving exploration of one woman’s battle with the ghosts of her past.
Independent non-profit theater company BOGT Philippines recently announced that its critically acclaimed production, 13th of September, has been invited to the 18th Mondial du Théâtre in Monaco. This marks the Philippines’s debut at the prestigious quadrennial event—the first since its founding in 1957—making it a major milestone for Filipino artistry on the global stage.
Founded in 2019, BOGT Philippines is dedicated to showcasing Philippine theater internationally. The nine-member delegation, including producers Katreen Dela Cruz, JayLo Conanan, Roldan Lozano, and Ces Valera, will present the show at the Princess Grace Theater on August 26 and 27, 2025, closing the festival alongside productions from Lithuania and Morocco. This follows successful runs that captivated audiences in both Canada and Germany.
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About 13th Of September
Adapted by three-time Palanca awardee Eljay Castro Deldoc from Lanie Robertson’s one-act play The Insanity of Mary Girard, the production is a groundbreaking reimagining directed by Aliw Awards and Philippine Leaf Awards winner Riki Benedicto.
The Insanity of Mary Girard is a sparse play that centers on its titular character, a woman confined in an insane asylum by her controlling and abusive husband, Charles Girard. Throughout the play, Mary reveals her tragic backstory as “furies” (a chorus of asylum inmates based on the Greek furies) dance around and impersonate people from her past. These misfortunes include her unhappy marriage, the loss of her child, and the emotional and psychological abuse she endured. As Mary interacts with the asylum’s doctor, she gradually regains her clarity and strength.
13th of September carries the same thematic threads of Robertson’s work, exploring mental illness, female oppression, and the damaging effects of patriarchal control. Set in Pennsylvania Asylum within a single Sunday evening, it follows Mary Girard as she prepares to leave the institution. The new adaptation changes Mary’s age to 56 (she’s 18 in the original play), aged by more than two decades of suffering.
While doing her daily routine and preparation with other patients, her past creeps up and haunts her: thoughts of her mother, husband, and daughter flood her memories as she relives the moments of lies and betrayal she’s experienced.
Film and theater director Andoy Ranay will star as Mary Girard, hot off the heels of headlining Siege Malvar’s acclaimed play Presidential Suite # 2 for the Virgin Labfest 20 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Joining him are Lao Rodriguez and Drew Espenocilla, forming a powerful set of performances that promise to match the play’s resonant themes.
Photos courtesy of BOGT Philippines.
