Inspired by renowned animes such as Danganronpa and Kakegurui, Lady Luck takes on the main stage in a riveting dark fantasy meets psychological thriller theater production by Mediartrix the university-wide multimedia organization of the University of Santo Tomas. This marks their second production of the school year 2023-2024 and their first-ever English original musical play featuring original jazz music written by talents from the organization. The story follows Mallory Fortune, a feisty and clever girl who finds herself in the unearthly place, Greed’s Wager, as she gets caught up in lies and deception, facing off devious foes and the ever-cunning warden, Lady Luck, in a game of life and death in order for her to return to the land of the living.
Greed is a cornerstone of the story—an entrance to the world of Lady Luck. Misconstrued as a hedonistic pastime and haphazardly labeled as sin, gambling can be alternatively discussed as a behavioral addiction for individuals who use this vice as a coping mechanism. The characters are by no means good people, and that is part of the appeal. To determine good writing is to make the audience empathize with your story, no matter how morally gray the characters may be.
When asked about the conceptualization, one of the scriptwriters, Jluke Bernard Ibay, explained, “I've always loved games like Ib, Mad Father, Omori, and Your Turn To Die. These stories focus on one's adventure with some twists of dark humor. I started researching what these games have in common and decided to focus on the world of gambling and what makes people so addicted to it.
From there, I started forming the story by listening to songs and making characters that reflect my own personal experiences, mixing in with exaggerated storylines. Thus, "Lady Luck" is formed.”
Regarding the message he wants to convey, he added, “Sometimes, it's best to just stop playing. To achieve something at any cost isn't necessarily a win, and to let go may be the better option. No matter what you did in your past, [it] does not necessarily define who you are today.”
Juggling knives best describes the pursuit to clinch the production within the three-month timeframe dedicated to its development. Since February of this year, the production team has meticulously worked on the musical play, planning, promoting, creating props, and holding meetings to ensure the production runs smoothly. The performers can often be seen in the UST QPark practicing and having rehearsals to showcase a stage play worth watching.
Lady Luck is managed by Joemmaeus Aliyah Mercado and Niña Marie De Guzman, directed by Maynee Singson, Lean Miguel Trinidad, and Chrystel Eve Marquez, and written by Jluke Bernard Ibay, Christine Jade Del Rosario, and Jamie Jorge. The production will premiere on April 22 (7 PM), 26 (10 AM, 2 PM, and 6 PM), and 27 (10 AM, 1 PM, 4 PM, and 7 PM) at the UST Albertus Magnus Auditorium and is open to all Thomasian students, faculty, and staff, as well as non-Thomasian audiences with ticket prices being P350 for regulars, P250 for UST Alumni and P900 for a group bundle of 3.
For ticket inquiries, you may contact the House Manager, KC Fuentes (+63 9157775211).
Lady Luck is co-presented by TapTap Send Philippines, Angels’ Skin, and Motivo Philippines. To step into the world of Lady Luck, visit Mediartrix - UST's social media pages for more information.
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