By Eva C. Visperas

 

WHEN I was a child — several decades back — I used to look forward to the carnival, or as we called it then, the karnabal. The sights, the sounds, and the thrill of saving a few coins from our baon just to enter the tent made it a magical part of childhood.

There were painted wood signs and canvas sheets outside showing people cut in half, snakes wrapped around necks, acrobats flying midair, and sometimes the mysterious “conjoined twins” everyone wanted to see. We didn’t know if they were real or just clever illusions, but it didn’t matter — what mattered was the wonder.

We delighted in the rides like the caterpillar and the rueda. My father forbade us to bet in the peryahan, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the spectacle. The karnabal of our youth was more than a show — it was a simple, thrilling escape into a world of imagination.

Fast forward to the present. Decades later, I found myself back in that world of spectacle, but this time on a much higher stage. On August 17, along with 18 other members of the media, I had the privilege of watching Side Show at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati, under the direction of Toff de Venecia, former congressman of Pangasinan’s 4th District.

Direk Toff has long been known as a champion of the creative arts, consistently pushing boundaries and bringing theater closer to audiences. For us in the media, each invitation to his shows is not just entertainment — it is an opportunity to expand our appreciation of what art can do. And this latest staging of Side Show proved once again his brilliance.

Side Show, written by Bill Russell with music by Henry Krieger, is based on the true story of Daisy and Violet Hilton, conjoined twins who rose to fame as vaudeville performers in the 1930s. Unlike the carnival “freak shows” of old, this musical does not sensationalize their condition. Instead, it explores their humanity — their dreams, their struggles, their hopes for love and acceptance.

Under Direk Toff’s helm, the production was nothing short of a revelation — intimate yet powerful, with every detail carefully designed to draw us into Daisy and Violet’s world. The Black Box Theater’s close setting heightened the intensity, making us feel not just like spectators, but witnesses to their lives.

The cast deserves the highest praise for performances filled with heart and authenticity. The actresses playing Daisy and Violet convincingly showed both their bond and individuality, while the supporting cast  — from The Boss to the ensemble— added depth, leaving no moment wasted on stage.

What struck me most was how the production managed to balance spectacle and substance. Yes, there was singing, dancing, and dazzling theatricality, but at its core, the story was deeply human. We felt the pain of being treated as curiosities, the yearning for love, the frustration of being misunderstood.

Several lines from the show stayed with me long after the curtain fell.

• “People are fascinated by what is different.” These words, spoken by The Boss, echo my childhood memories of the karnabal. Society has always been drawn to the unusual, but fascination must not justify exploitation. It reminds us to see beyond differences and respect the dignity of every person.
• “Everyone’s looking for someone to love them.” This line from Terry Connor rings universally true. Beneath all appearances and circumstances, every human being longs for acceptance. That, perhaps, is what binds us all together.
• “You should never let anyone else define you.” Buddy Foster’s advice is timeless. In a world eager to put labels on people, the most important act of courage is defining ourselves.

These truths are not just lessons from the Hilton sisters’ story — they are lessons for our own lives.

In the end, Side Show was more than the story of two sisters — it was an exploration of what it means to be human, reminding us that even “outsiders” long for love, belonging, and respect, while challenging us to rethink how we see those who are different.

That is why it is not just Side Show. It is Side Show and Us — because their story is also ours.

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