Kalila Aguilos is Lucy in Jekyll & Hyde the musical, Manila 2012.
Role: Lucy.
Production: Repertory Philippines 2012.
What's the meaning of this production for you?
-This production is a milestone for me, because in my 15 years in theater, it is the first time I work with Repertory Philippines and it is considered the most established theater company in the country.
What's the message of Jekyll & Hyde for the audience?
-Jekyll and Hyde is an exploration into the duality of man. Of the good and evil that exists in all of us. It is aptly set in the Victorian era, which was very conservative, when all natural animal characteristics of man were suppressed to maintain a high moral standard. Jekyll’s journey into erasing the evil inside of him ultimately leads to his demise. Human beings are a balance of these two natures. One cannot exist without the other.
What part of your character is included in your normal persona?
-My character, Lucy Harris the prostitute, is similar to my own persona in the way that she is a survivor. She does not dwell on life’s shortcomings. She accepts what life dishes out to her and continues to dream that it can only get better.
What's the difference between your production and others in the world?
-Menchu Lauchengco’s staging is very different from the past stagings of this musical. It is not literal. She makes use of theatrical devices to put more sense into a problematic script. Her set is an operating hall, which is a metaphor for the oppressive Victorian society. She also made sure the relationships of the characters were clear enough to thread an episodic script. The Jekyll and Hyde transformation is not literal either. Won’t give more away.
Is Jekyll & Hyde already a classic musical?
I wouldn’t think so. But is IS loosely based on the classic novel “The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll And Mister Hyde” Same principle, different characters and storyline.
How do you prepare a character?
-I try to make up a complete history of the character based on the givens in the script, and the time and space the play is set. So that entails research. Watching movies/documentaries and looking at existing photos of the era helps dictate how the character will move and think.
Something funny from rehearsals...
The pick-up rehearsal after the first weekend was funny because everybody relaxed and started fooling around onstage. The songs were parodied and so were the dances. We had fun with it. We got a kick from Karma though because the energy of the show that evening was kinda confused. It’s a serious play, so we have to always take it seriously.
Do we all have an evil side?
-Definitely. We cannot call ourselves good if we do not know the evil we try to conquer.
Dreamed role still not played...
I want to play a man.
Favorite musical...
Jesus Christ Superstar
Favorite song...
Nature Boy
Where do you picture yourself in ten years?
Rich enough to do theater for the rest of my life
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