Double Take: AL•TER & REVERSE CARD

DOUBLE TAKE 2026 is a twin bill offering from the Artist Playground and Kho-Lab Productions. It features two plays, namely “AL•TER” (written by Jaoquin Pablo) and “REVERSE CARD” (written by Chase Kyle Loza). Both are directed by Paul Jake Paule.

There are many variations and alternates with the casts. This particular review covers the following:

• CJ Tiongson as Al

• John Ven Soco as Ter

• Drei Arias as John

• Inah Evans as Marvin

While both plays tackle gay experiences, they stand apart in terms of performance and narrative.

AL•TER

Character AL tries to justify flirting with other people while in a relationship but only manages to come up with lame excuses. Rather than taking accountability for his actions, he wallows in self-pity at a department store and finds peace through a random shopper named TER, who tolerates a complete stranger.

Despite the seriousness of the topic, it’s hard to stay immersed in a situation that feels more like a prank show than a genuine encounter. Their actions seem dictated by the playwright rather than arising naturally from the characters themselves.

The two leads are also conveniently named AL and TER so that, when combined, their names form ALTER. Regardless of their names, it wouldn’t make a difference. The concept of ALTER is barely touched upon. It’s just abruptly inserted in between dialogues.

Hindi natural pakinggan ang mga usapan. Maya’t maya ay makakarinig ka ng mga quotable quotes. Tapos dahil lang sinabi nila yun, biglaang magbabago ang pananaw ng karakter. Maayos na siya kaagad. Minadali ang proseso.

Bagamat maganda ang intention, nagmukhang self-righteous na lang ang bida. Ang tulong at ang mga salitang ibinigay sa kanya ay tinipid niyang ipinamahagi sa ibang nangangailangan nito.

Hindi gaanong convincing ang mga aktor. Unserious nilang panoorin. Hindi mo alam kung nagpapatawa pa ba or umiiyak na sila. Kailangan ding gabayan ang delivery at enunciation nila sa mga lines para mas malinaw at mas sincere itong pakinggan.

Perhaps, the narrative and the performances could be altered to make the play more effective.

REVERSE CARD

Two former schoolmates reunite for a planned intimate encounter. There are multiple facets to these characters, preventing them from being defined by a single role. 

Along the way, the characters reveal different sides of themselves—as a writer, call boy, bully, and fighter—adding richness to the story.

Hindi isang bagsakan sasabihin lahat. Paunti-unti ay meron kang nalalaman tungkol sa kanila. Mula sa pagbahagi ng kink hanggang sa trauma, natural nilang napaghahalo ang kahalayan sa karanasan.

Kahit tuloy tuloy ang pagbunyag sa mga sikreto, may baon pa ring plottwist hanggang dulo. Kahit tragic ang ending, masasabi mong deserve ang kinahinatnan ng mga karakter.

Hindi masyadong sharp ang lighting. Randam kung kelan hihinto ang mga artista para lang mabigyan sila ng kakaibang ilaw.

Drei Arias often appears conscious of how he presents himself, resulting in a performance that occasionally feels performative and calculated. His dialogue appears rehearsed rather than naturally flowing.

Yet, it isn’t much of an issue. His appeal and projection complement the character’s persona. He looks the part and works well with his partner, helping bring out the best and worst of each other.

In her theater debut, Inah Evans effortlessly emerges as the star of the show. Her experience as a comedienne is a clear advantage, allowing her to play around with the lines and add her own punch to them.

There is room for improvement in how she uses her eyes and facial expressions. Some scenes demand greater emotional weight, but her performance occasionally falls short of conveying it.

Nonetheless, she offers much more, breathing life into the play. It almost feels like watching her comedy show.

Andami niyang iconic lines na nakakatawa. Laughtrip yung role play dahil sa accent na ginagawa niya. Madalas, hindi mo na alam kung ano ba ang adlib at kung ano parte ng script. Natural siyang magdeliver ng mga lines na para bang sinasabi lang niya kung ano ang nasa isip niya. Alam niya kung kailan dapat hinaan o lakasan ang kanyang boses. Bagay siya sa teatro dahil kaya niyang pasiglahin at buhayin ang audience.

Nung una, awkward tingnan sina Drei Arias at Inah Evans. Ngunit habang tumatagal, nagiging comfortable na silang magkasama.

What begins as an uncomfortable display of intimacy gradually becomes necessary. The longer they remain on stage, the stronger their connection becomes. Much of the play is carried by their casual interactions.

Individually and as a pair, their characters stand strong. So when the reverse card is played, it turns out to be effective. Indeed, they have played their cards right.

ILLUMINATION STUDIO

Ginanap ang play sa Illumination Studio, Makati. Malamig ang aircon. May chance na maihi, pero iisa lang ang CR. Tapos madilim ang daan at iikot ka pa papunta dun.

Sayang yung registration at waiting area. Malaki siya pero blanko lang. Pwede sanang maglagay ng trivia board or merchandise booth para may mabasa at magawa ang audience habang naghihintay.

Need din siguro ng kaunting tweak sa seating arrangement dahil may chance na matakpan ng ulo ng nakaupo sa harapan kapag hindi elevated ang floor o upuan.

Php 1,500 ang ticket para mapanood ang dalawang plays. Kumpara sa ibang theater plays, hindi na siya ganun kamahal.

Overall, nakapagbigay naman sila ng mga istoryang pwedeng mapag-usapan at mga eksenang masayang pagtawanan.

Double Take (Al•Ter and Reverse Card) runs from May 29 to June 21, 2026. Buy your tickets here: https://ticket2me.net/event/22945