MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its National Theatre Live (NTL) series, continues to bring world-class stage productions to Philippine cinemas this September with London’s Inter Alia and The Importance of Being Earnest. Both plays delve into themes of identity, morality, and the enduring tension between individual authenticity and societal expectations.
Captured live from London’s most prestigious theaters, Inter Alia will be screened at Glorietta 4, while Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest will return to Philippine cinemas at Ayala Malls Vertis North and Ayala Malls Central Bloc Cebu on September 30, 6:00 PM.
A Woman’s Test of Duty and Motherhood
Penned by Suzie Miller and directed by Justin Martin, Inter Alia tells the story of London Crown Court Judge Jessica Parks, a sharp, free-spirited woman at the peak of her career. While she continues to push back against systemic conventions, she is also a mother navigating her role within her family. When her own son is convicted of a crime, Judge Parks faces an agonizing test of her values – not only as a jurist but as a parent.
Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike (Saltburn) leads the cast, anchoring the production’s exploration of justice, womanhood, and motherhood within the pressures of the digital age. Lauded by critics as a piercing examination of the justice system, particularly in relation to sexual assault cases, the play has sold out its entire run since its London premiere just a month ago.
Bunburying and the Reinvention of the Self
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, reimagined under the direction of Max Webster, presents a fresh take on Victorian satire. The comedy follows Algernon and Jack, portrayed by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) and Hugh Skinner (Mamma Mia!), as they adopt false identities to escape rigid social expectations. Both men assume the name “Ernest,” but their duplicity soon entangles them in a web of complications.
Though rooted in Wilde’s Victorian setting, the play’s sharp critique of performativity and social conventions remains strikingly relevant today. The timeless wit of The Importance of Being Earnest continues to resonate as it interrogates the necessity—and absurdity—of maintaining appearances in society.
Bringing the London Stage to the Philippines
Through its partnership with National Theatre Live London and Ayala Malls Cinemas, the CCP National Theatre Live has enriched Filipino audiences with world-class productions since its launch. The program makes celebrated dramas more accessible while fostering a deeper appreciation of the performing arts in the Philippines.
National Theatre Live, launched in 2009 in the United Kingdom, has been a groundbreaking initiative in making high-caliber theater accessible across the globe.
Ticket prices are set at Php300 in Makati and Cebu, and Php350 in Vertis North, with discounted student tickets available for Php150 upon presentation of a valid ID. For updates on CCP’s National Theatre Live and other cultural events, follow CCP’s official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.
