The humanist at his most human: PETA’s terrific Buhay Ni Galileo
PETA’s Ang Buhay Ni Galileo (The Life of Galileo)
by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Alan Glinoga
Directed by Rody Vera
Galileo the great astronomer and physicist redefined earth’s (and thus humanity’s) place in the cosmos (not central as the Church decreed). He barely escaped torture and execution at the hands of the Inquisition, to live out his days under house arrest, but able to write. By refusing to be a martyr for science, he deprived us of a noble hero, but freed our minds. What good would it have done for him to burn at the stake like Giordano Bruno? Science was not his religion, but its opposite: he would not die for science, he would live for it.
In Joel Lamangan’s magnificent portrayal we see the great humanist at his most human: a genius who insisted on his creature comforts (How can you do science if you’re hungry?), a vain and crafty man (He took credit for the invention of the telescope, which already existed in Holland), ingratiating towards his patrons, and always self-aware. He has no illusions about his own character—he lies, cheats, sacrifices his daughter’s marital prospects, and to what end? To drag our world out of the darkness of ignorance, oppression, fear and stupidity. As Bodjie Pascua’s song at the end of the first half reminds us, Galileo’s work led to a revolution in how people see themselves, with far-ranging consequences for human rights and workers’ rights.
Under Rody Vera’s nimble direction (He credits PETA’s 1981 staging of Ang Buhay ni Galileo directed by Fritz Bennewitz), Brecht’s relentless flood of words (translated into Filipino by Celso Alan Glinoga) is engaging, provocative, funny and moving. (Every week I seem to review something by Rody Vera; I don’t think he sleeps.) The spare yet effective stage design is by Bonifacio Juan and Brenda Fajardo. (This production is based on the first version of Brecht’s Galileo; after WWII Brecht staged a shorter, darker version informed by the invention of the atom bomb.)
Hey PETA, we love Rak of Aegis, which has been running for years. Now how about a long run for Ang Buhay Ni Galileo?
A man who doesn’t know the truth is just an idiot, but a man who knows the truth and calls it a lie is a crook.
– Bertolt Brecht, The Life of Galileo
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