Like a rockstar that she is, Dolly De Leon strides to the lounge in a comfy monochromatic outfit which was just fitting since she just came from rehearsal. And it was so nice of her to spend some time with us (media guests), instead of having a short break from Request Sa Radyo rehearsal.
After a few pleasantries, Dolly De Leon admits that it's her first time to portray a character in a wordless play and it's very challenging that she needs to keep reminding herself of the structure around the set. Request Sa Radyo happens to be a wordless play about a healthcare worker who lives alone in her apartment in New York City.
Dolly De Leon Breathes Life to Ms. Reyes in Request Sa Radyo, a play adapted from Wunschkonzert (Radio Request) by Franz Xaver Kroetz. The play runs from October 10-20, 2024 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre in Makati City. Request Sa Radyo top bills Lea Salonga and Dolly De Leon, in alternating performances each night.
"This is a new experience for me," said De Leon. "I've never done a wordless play in my entire life."
The play, though beautifully written, tackles mental health. Coincidentally, Request Sa Radyo opened on October 10 and it happens to be World Mental Health Day.
World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness about mental health and supporting those who suffer from it.
De Leon explained how she feels rewarded to be able to provide mental health awareness by portraying Ms. Reyes in Request Sa Radyo. She also place emphasis on giving more empathy to the people we encounter everyday, be sensitive and kind so that we can make the lives of those around us livable because we don't know what battles they are in.
According to her, her personal experiences and being an OFW helped greatly in her portrayal of Ms. Reyes. "There's a strong connection because I've felt loneliness, I've felt isolation, being an outsider, being a minority, struggling financially, I can relate to that."
Having met many OFWs abroad, they're a happy bunch but once you get to know them deeper, "the layers peel and you will see how lonely they are."
She attributes that to how we were raised at home. "Dapat matatag ka, masayahin ka, pinagtatawanan mo lang ang problema mo." Most Filipinos are not honest when it comes to how they really feel, because that is how we are raised. "But deep inside, there's a lot of pain and figuring out how to make a lot of money, how to put food on the table, so they set aside their loneliness."
Playing the character of Ms. Reyes has also been cathartic for De Leon who believes that an artist is "an expression of the artist. Playing Ms. Reyes is a way to release all the pain, the solitude of working alone in a foreign land, and being able to release all I went through, its kinda therapeutic for me also."
And similar to Ms. Reyes, she also used to call radio stations and make song requests. It made her happy when her song requests were played and added that she likes classic rock music. De Leon also admits to having several playlists for her different moods, including a playlist when she's galit.
Request Sa Radyo, the hour-long wordless play conveys a deeper meaning of communicating a sentiment. The audience becomes part of the character as she moves around her house, her emotions and vulnerability becomes apparent through her body language. This play also makes the audience more attentive to what's happening around them.
"I love working with Bobby," exclaimed De Leon when asked about her relationship with Request Sa Radyo Director Bobby Garcia. "He is very loving and caring director. He understands and is very collaborative."
She also shared that Bobby encourages her to be honest if there's something she is not comfortable of doing, or if there's something to add. De Leon also mentioned Jaime Wilson who helped her navigate her emotions through the different scenes. This is after all a wordless play and there's a tendency to focus too much on action, thus forgetting to show the appropriate emotions.
After Request Sa Radyo, De Leon is flying to Europe for another show but in the future, and if given the chance, she wants to do an original Filipino play.
Request Sa Radyo runs from October 10-20, 2024 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre in Makati City. Tickets are available at:
Ticketworld/RequestSaRadyo.
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