Some if not most would be wondering why and how I chose the cast to play the characters in Hedda Gabler. So here, let’s talk about it.
Hedda. “Look at Hedda–look how lovely she is.” I chose Denese Luvida as Hedda. Reading through the original script, I saw Denese and her facial expressions. Perfect. She can do it, with her husky and sexy voice, plus her big, communicative eyes of hers would pull it off.
George Tesman. Yes, I chose Mark Sibucao for this. Innocent, loving, and deeply in love with Hedda. They said I should have chosen John Mhar Polino or Rajedran Yampan as they have more innocent looks. But no, Mark may look like a drunkard but he is the perfect George Tesman. I knew it. I know it.
Aunt Juliana Tesman. First and the original choice was Aira Guerrero, formerly known as Nora from our play A Doll’s House. Then it became Liezel Dela Cruz, then back to Aira. Aunt Julia, middle class who acts as though she is in the upper class, mother and father to George Tesman, who eventually mourns for Aunt Rina (who does not appear on stage). Aira was the perfect choice to play Aunt Julia as she appears in the first Act. And for me, the first Act, the first scene would establish the whole play. If the first scene would be so dull then the play would be dull all throughout. Having Aira as the Ace card of the play will assure success.
Thea Elvsted. Innocent, desperate for love, I chose Shereen Bagorio to play the part. I know that stage fright and memorizing would be one of her biggest problems as seen on A Midsummer Night’s Dream and along the rehearsals, but she nailed it! I love her shaky voice and tone that matched her with the character.
Judge Brack. Manipulative and full of malice, I chose Rajedran Yampan to play as Brack and he kept asking me why him or why did I choose him to play Brack. Well, I see a lot of problems with his pronunciation and all, but hey, he is just right for Judge Brack. Not that Raj looks manipulative and malicious but I know and I believe that he can play the part perfectly.
Eilert Lovborg. Originally, I chose John Mhar Polino. Eilert was a professor who used to be a lover of Hedda, has published a book and has a new manuscript during the play. He used to be a drunkard and at the present time, he is on the brinks of losing everything. All he has is the manuscript. So, John Mhar who is cute and a bit short, he could have played it well. But due to some medical concerns, I had to change him. So Earl Charles Paniza, formerly known as Dr. Rank from A Doll’s House, played as Eilert Lovborg. Of course, he again was perfect! As he could be so close and sweet and sexy with our Hedda for they are in a relationship in real life.
Berta. The maid. Originally, this is Aira’s role when Liezel was still Aunt Julia. Now it was played by me. Berta is the typical maid who wants nothing but to please her master. But in our play, I planned Berta to be a comical relief every now and then. But because it was me, I did not play it too right. Although it did become quite a comedy for some, it should have been better.
Note: the photos above are the ones taken from the photoshoot I arranged for the cast, not the final cast who played on stage.
I picked out the cast by knowing each and everyone’s personality, trusting my guts that they would fit in with the given character. I would pick, of course, the personalities I know I could work well with, the ones I know I could easily bend and teach. And I was right when the cast was completed.
Just like in every sport, you pick out the best team members to play and win the game. And for me, the best team members are the ones who know what sacrifice, time, and effort mean. They are the ones who can be bent–who can work under pressure, whom I know I can trust when it comes to achieving the impossible.
If you were me, would you pick out someone who does not trust you fully with your ideas and ways of dealing with things?
