From a touching rom-com to an inspiring story about mental health, the two critically-acclaimed shows offer one wonderful theatrical experience.
The Sandbox Collective is a theater company based in Manila, “committed to producing groundbreaking and cutting-edge work.” In their theatrical comeback after a three-year hiatus, SANDBOX FEST 2023, they present Duncan Macmillan’s two critically acclaimed shows in one theatrical experience. In an Instagram post, the Sandbox Collective writes, “Get TWICE the amount of emotions in ONE sitting! From a heart-wrenching rom-com that’ll get you going “Will they? Won’t they?” on having kids…to an inspiring show about the little things that spark joy.”
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Directed by Caisa Borromeo, Lungs is featured as ACT 1 with a running time of 80 minutes. According to the Ticketworld website: “Lungs peeks through the world of a young couple who must decide whether or not to have a child. If they rush it, things might be a disaster; if they overthink it, they might run out of time. In a race against time and a world that seems to be falling apart, the couple tries to come up with the right reasons — but which reasons are right? The couple tries to break the cycle of anxiety-ridden questions in an intimate, somewhat voyeuristic view where the line separating actors and audiences is blurred. Strap in for an exhilarating journey as a young couple navigate their relationship and the most crucial decision of their lives—to be or not to be parents.” Reb Atadero, Sab Jose, Justine Pena, and Brian Sy star in Lungs.
Following Lungs after a 20-minute interval is Every Brilliant Thing directed by Jenny Jamora and runs for approximately 70 minutes. Ticketworld describes the show as: “1. Ice cream 2. Water fights 3. Staying up past your bedtime and being allowed to watch TV. These are just a few items on a list of things worth living for compiled by a young girl trying to ease her mother’s depression at the start of this charming and miraculous new play. Through adulthood, as the list grows, she learns the deep significance the list has on her own life, as she goes to college, falls in love, and builds a home. A tribute to the irrepressible resilience inside all of us and the capacity to find delight in the everyday, Every Brilliant Thing is a very funny and moving new play about mental health that enlists members of the audience to help tell its story.” Every Brilliant Thing stars Teresa Herrera and Kakki Teodoro with Jon Santos.
SANDBOX FEST 2023 featuring the twin bill experience of Lungs and Every Brilliant Thing is showing until July 15, 2023 at the second floor of the Zobel De Ayala Recital Hall, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, Manila. Get your tickets at Ticketworld.
Banner photo edited by Agatha Romero. Photos via Instagram @jus.eats and @loveteresaherrera.
