Anino Shadowplay Collective

Shadowplay adaptation of the Filipino 19th century metric romance written by Francisco Baltazar. ANINO’s work is part faithful to the original in preserving the story line and some verses but part irreverent in introducing funny lines, characters and situations.

As in the original, Florante, hero of Albanya, is in a real pickle – alone in a dismal forest, bound to a tree and left for the lions to feast on. All because, in youth, he earned the ire of his compatriot Adolfo by besting him in boarding school.

Adolfo had taken advantage of the war between Christians and Muslims to seize all that was dear to Florante – father, throne and sweetheart. But Florante is saved from the jaws of a lion, or death if you will, by the other hero – Aladin. Enemies in war, they find that they have parallel experiences – defeat in victory, betrayal, a love lost to a treacherous rival. They, thus, become friends and pledge to join forces in the campaign for peace.

The combined forces of Florante, Menandro, and Aladin, with the aid of ... surprise, surprise ... defeat the evil Adolfo and peace talks between Christians and Muslims get under way. Yipeeee – tayo’y magsaya!