Alyssa Pua design, John Rata photography
January was a highlight already for PAT with the return of beloved play reading series Fresh off the Page at Basement Theatre. Delivered under the Red alert to an intimate audience, Paralúman by Alyssa Medel spotlights the breadth of story our Asian diaspora carry, and is an exciting example of what Fresh off the Page is all about.
Event images: John Rata photography
How well do you know your ancestors' sacrifice...and the consequences you've inherited?
A risk-taking political family drama, Medel explores the intertwining worlds of family, generational trauma and the ebbs and flows of revolution in her debut play.
Paralúman is an intimate family drama that follows three generations of strong Filipina women - each made to carry the consequences of their predecessor’s actions in a society forging its political identity at a critical point.
Alma is a librarian entangled in a love affair that’s put at risk by her involvement in the resistance. Clara is hailed as the typical “Maria Clara” of her small village but is caught between family obedience and her sense of justice.
And in the present day, Aya is moving back to the Philippines to pursue her postgraduate studies at a local university - much to her Lola’s dismay. But the tragic secret that is being hidden from her is waiting to crumble everything upon her return.
Paralúman reflects the way of working new to all of us in theatres across the world - highly adaptive, and fraught with decision making pertaining to safety of audience and artists, vs the wellbeing of our artists on emotional, career and financial levels. Each decision we make is in tandem with our artists and it is ultimately their final call as to how their work is delivered under rapid changes.
Paralúman was one such event that was postponed multiple times in 2021, and Alyssa made the decision to go ahead with an audience of 25, reflecting that it was nonetheless an exciting, inspiring event that allowed the space and time with the work as it should be explored - live, with others. We are thrilled to have delivered this work, and are excited for its future - and potential future readings with our trademark full house.
Stay tuned for more Fresh off the Page this year!
Read by:
Mark Luna Querubin
Director: Mia Maramara
Special thanks to Dramaturg Ahi Karunaharan
Hosting by Marianne Infante
Photography by John Rata Photography
Fresh off the Page is proudly supported by Basement Theatre, Foundation North, Playmarket New Zealand, He Waka Eke Noa Charitable Trust and Creative Communities Auckland