"Wanted: A Chaperon"

Wanted: A Chaperon

Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero

When published: 1948

Type of play/genre: English Comedy

Setting: living room of Don Francico’s house (one of the major characters)

When is it set?: One Sunday morning, at about eleven.

Plot:

            The play is about the traditional way of courting and accompanying girls on a party and in other occasions. The portrayal of old customs is seen visibly in the play. Don Francisco, one of the major characters is strict with his daughter Nena. He doesn’t want Nena go outside for any occasions without any chaperon. One night, Nena goes out with Fred, her friend. Unfortunately, rumors right after their date are spread. Many people think that something bad is happened to the two of them. And for the townspeople it’s inevitable. Until Dona Dolores, mother of Fred goes to Nena’s house and she is insisting that something is happened to his son and to Nena. It is Dona Dolores’ plan to insist his son Fred to Nena but actually, nothing is really happened. The same situation is happened also to Roberting, son of Don Francisco. So to avoid these issues Don Francisco and Dona Dolores look for chaperons for their children to guide them instead of the muchacho.

Characters:

Don Francisco, Doña Petra, Nena, Robertring, Doña Dolores, Fred

Message of the play:

            Nowadays, people tend to be very judgmental. They easily give comments and opinions to other people without certain evidences. They are gossipers who make the issues rampant and very complicated.    

Expressions/Phrases/Words learnt from the play:

                        C Gossipers make issues complicated.

                        C People tend to be very judgmental.

                        C Avoid going out with a guy without any companion.

Describe the play:

C Tedious                
C Usual                     
C Predictable                      
C Simple

Costumes:

            The character’s costumes should be stunning. I want the characters to be in gown/dress and other formal clothes. I’ll be using the colors turquoise, light orange, purple, brown and some light colors to calm the eyes of the audience.

Scenery:

            I want a proscenium typed of stage where all people will be seated on the front side of a stage. I want to use brown and some dark colors to show the sadness feels by the characters.

Lighting:

            I as a light director I wanted to use brighter and spot lights because most scenes in the play need brighter places.

Would you recommend this play to anyone else? Why?

In certain points, yes I want to recommend the play to anyone else because it can inform them the traditions, culture and even the attitudes of many Filipinos. However, I was not satisfied with the play because it’s too boring. The scenes are very usual. It is like the typical ending of the story.

Does this play remind you of any plays in your own language?

            With regard to the characteristic of this play, it reminds me of the play “Forever” wherein they are both simple and somewhat has the usual story line.