PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory was thrilled to present the 43rd Theater Season’s Apprentices Advanced Acting Recital, entitled “DA ARTURO UY COMEBACK DRAG SHOW,” directed by Elijah “Bajek” James. The production was staged on January 30 and 31, 2025, at Tanghalang PUP, College of Communication Building, PUP Sta. Mesa.
The play drew inspiration from Ateneo Entablado’s “Ang Dapat Nating Hindian: Pagbabalik ng Mga Arturo Uy” by Jerome Ignacio and Pat Lucido, adapted from Bertolt Brecht’s “The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui,” and infused with elements from SLP’s 2018 devised performance, “Halalan,” by Serena Magilis and Billy Lascano. It served as a theatrical application of historical events in Germany during Hitler’s rise and dictatorship in the Philippines, recontextualized through drag performance to make the narrative more accessible and compelling. The production highlighted how power struggles and exploitation within the working class remained universal and cyclical.

Through a fusion of satire, drag, and Brechtian techniques, this performance offered a bold commentary on sociopolitical dynamics, urging audiences to reflect on the manipulation of the masses by the ruling class and the role the people played in sustaining such systems. The play challenged audiences to recognize how tyranny often disguised itself in familiar yet deceptively new forms. This restaging not only amplified these themes but also celebrated the growth, talent, and dedication of rising theater artists, who used their craft as a vehicle for discourse and change.
Ultimately, “DA ARTURO UY COMEBACK DRAG SHOW” was more than just a theatrical event—it was a call to critical thinking and collective action. As audiences engaged with the spectacle, they were invited to question, resist, and reclaim their power in the face of oppressive structures.
“Da Arturo Uy Comeback Drag Show” Recital Highlights Political Commentary Through Drag Performance
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