You don’t have to be a fan to enjoy Taylor Swift’s “Eras” concert film.
You do not have to be a Swiftie (how Taylor Swift’s fans are called) to enjoy “Taylor Swift: The ERAS Tour” concert movie. We watched it last weekend with our two granddaughters, both Swifties, and the theater was packed with young women who know the lyrics of Taylor’s songs and turned the moviehouse into a sing-along as they sang and danced with her.
Taylor started her career when she was only 14 years and now, after two decades, she remains on top of the game as she knows how to reinvent herself as a singer-songwriter.
She started as a country singer then went into pop, incorporated rock and electronic elements into her music. She also ventured into synth-pop and hip hop. Her discography in the ten albums she did is properly represented in the “Eras” tour, so it’s a real treat for her fans.
The film was shot during her shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California in August, directed by Sam Wrench, who earlier also helmed the concert movie of Billie Eilish. It uses so many cameras to film the whole thing, done with astonishing camera work from every vantage point and with a high-tech giant screen behind Taylor.
It does not only give you the chance to watch Taylor from a front-row seat, but also captures all the joyful energy and immersive spectacle – with all the colorful light and eye-popping special effects. It’s really much more intimate and sometimes, you get the feeling that you’re on the same stage with her, listening to her sing and banter with the live audience.
Taylor gives a vibrant and rousing performance as she displays her amazing musical dexterity from various phases of her long career. We read that the actual concert ran for 3 hours and 15 minutes. But in the movie, they have edited out all the intervals where she changes costumes, etc. and came out with a tight and swift 2 hours and 30 minutes. Taylor has a dynamic stage presence and the captivating charisma of today’s hottest pop star performing at the peak of her dazzling musical powers.
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Ricky Davao is currently in the GMA primetime drama, “Love Before Sunrise,” playing Andrea Torres’ dad. But he is also busy singing and acting on stage in a new original musical, “Silver Lining,” to be shown at the RCBC Theater in Makati starting this weekend, October 20, 21, 22 and also on 27, 28, 29. It tells the story of three friends from an exclusive boys’ high school who have formed a band for their 50th anniversary homecoming.
But they’re told they’ll have limited exposure so they then write a full musical about their life in the ’70s. As the nostalgic story slowly unfolds before their eyes, histories unknown to them rise to the surface – discovering how complicated life was in their teenage years.
From the title itself, it shows the characters’ search for the proverbial silver lining amidst challenging times.
The story is told in two timelines: the present and the 1970s. In the present, Ricky Davao stars as Leo, Joel Nunez is Anton, Raul Montesa plays Raul and Nenel Arcayan is Josie.
Playing their younger selves in the ‘70s are Albert Silos, Noel Comia Jr., Jay Cortez and Sara Sicam.
“I’m proud and happy to be part of this musical which is a dialog between the past and present generations,” says Ricky. “The arguments between the young and the old are very organic. The audience will make a lot of realizations about the different generations. But I’m also very nervous kasi we are singing very new and original songs. And this is the first time I’m working with the cast and production people, including our director Maribel Legarda. I’m so amazed sa rehearsals namin because they are all so good and very technical. Ninerbiyos ako, ano ba itong pinasok ko? But ang ganda ng music, ang ganda ng story, very relatable and it shows how theatre can be a truly powerful medium. So watch it at RCBC Theatre this weekend and get your tickets now.”
