The Cultural Center of the Philippines brings two powerhouse performances from the National Theatre in London – the trivial comedy ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ and the gripping drama ‘Prima Facie’ – to the Philippine big screen this February.
The Importance of Being Earnest makes its Philippine cinema debut on February 25 at 6 p.m. at Ayala Malls Cinemas in Glorietta 4, Makati City, while Prima Facie returns with special screening at Vertis North in Quezon City and at the Central Bloc in Cebu, also on the same day.
A Trivial Comedy for Serious People
CCP NT Live The Importance of Being Earnest web banner 1920p
Max Webster, the director behind Donmar’s Macbeth and Life of Pi, directs the theater adaptation of the flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Its recent staging was performed from November 21 to January 25, 2025 at the Lyttelton Theatre.
A satire on Victorian social hypocrisy, Wilde’s three-act play was first performed in 1895, and eventually published into a book in 1899.
The play follows the misadventures of two young men who roam the town under false identities. Jack, a fashionable young man who lives in the country with his ward, Cecily, lets loose in town. His friend Algy adopts a similar facade.
Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Three-time Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke joins the cast, with her playing the stage role as Lady Bracknell, alongside Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education and Doctor Who) who brings delightful mischief as Algy, and Hugh Hugh Skinner (W1A; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) who takes the titular role as Jack in this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.
Confronting Gray Matters
CCP NT Live Prima Facie
Olivier and Tony Award winner Jodie Comer shines in the Suzie Miller masterpiece as a lawyer grappling with law and morality. She has worked her way up from working class origins to be at the top of her game – defending, cross examining, and winning. An unexpected event forces her to confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof, and morals diverge.
The play takes us to the heart of where emotion and experience collide with the rules of the game. Justin Martin directs this solo tour de force, captured live from the intimate Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End.
Bringing London Theater Experience in the Philippines
Now on its second season, the CCP National Theatre Live is a groundbreaking initiative of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to showcase the best of international theater. By bringing renowned productions from the National Theatre in London directly to the Philippine big screen, CCP aims to foster a deeper appreciation for the arts, particularly the performing arts, and provide a dynamic and immersive theater experience to those who may not have the opportunity to see these performances live.
Through this program, CCP underscores its commitment to enriching the cultural landscape of the Philippines, offering a unique platform for global artistry while connecting it with local audiences.
In partnership with National Theatre Live, and Ayala Malls Cinemas, the CCP NTL’s second season continues until May 27, 2025. Catch Noël Coward’s provocative comedy Present Laughter in the next installment on March 25.
First launched in June 2009, UK’s National Theatre Live is a groundbreaking project to broadcast the best of British theatre live from the London stage to cinemas across the United Kingdom, around the world, and now in the Philippines. Digitally filmed in high-definition quality, NTL films their plays in front of live theater audiences, but optimized for the big screen and made accessible to theater fans across the globe.
Regular ticket price is at Php300 in Makati and Cebu, and Php350 in Vertis North, with special ticket price for students at Php150. To get the latest updates on CCP National Theatre Live and other events, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more news.
