Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places, and Things Is Finally Coming to Manila
People, Places, and Things cast. Courtesy of The Sandbox Collective
More than a decade after its London premiere, the British playwright’s acclaimed play arrives in Manila for a limited four-performance run.
With back-to-back productions featuring artists thriving in both the local and international scenes, Philippine theater has never been more alive. What better time for the arrival of one of the most relevant contemporary plays of the last decade than now? This August, Duncan Macmillan’s People, Places, and Things will finally open in Manila, with some familiar names returning to the stage, while others make their debut in the production.
People, Places, and Things is an acclaimed play by British playwright Duncan Macmillan that explores addiction, rehabilitation, and the fragile journey toward healing with humor and compassion. Now making its way to the local stage, the production is presented by The Sandbox Collective and will have a limited run at The Blackbox at the Proscenium Theater, with only four performances from August 15 to 16, 2026.
Alternating in the lead role are acclaimed actresses Bela Padilla and Gabby Padilla, who will play Emma, a successful actress whose carefully constructed life unravels as she enters a rehabilitation center and confronts the process of recovery. The production also marks an important milestone for Bela, as it serves as her theater debut under the direction of Sab Jose.
Other familiar names in the cast include theater veterans Audie Gemora, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, and Jake Cuenca. Completing the cast are acclaimed director, actor, and writer Robbie Guevara as Foster; Gawad Buhay Award-winning performer Reb Atadero as T; choreographer Brian Sy as Shaun and Mark; actor and arts executive Mariella Laurel as Laura; performer and writer Pamela Imperial as Charlotte; actor, director, and teacher Miel Abong as Jodi; and writer and the production’s dramaturg, Salve Villarosa van Schoonhoven, as the Narrator.
More than a decade after its premiere at the Dorfman Theatre of the National Theatre in London, the production team looks forward to bringing a distinctly local touch and Filipino talent to the internationally acclaimed work.
Frequently Asked Questions
People, Places, and Things is a play by British playwright Duncan Macmillan that follows Emma, a successful actress whose life unravels as she enters rehabilitation for addiction. Blending humor with emotional depth, the play explores recovery, identity, and what it truly means to heal.
Duncan Macmillan is an award-winning British playwright and director known for contemporary works that tackle complex social and personal issues. In addition to People, Places, and Things, he wrote Every Brilliant Thing, Lungs, and the stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984.
The Sandbox Collective is a Manila-based theater company founded in 2014 that produces contemporary plays, musicals, and original Filipino works. The company is known for staging intimate, thought-provoking productions and collaborating with established and emerging artists across Philippine theater.
Sab Jose is a Filipino theater director, actor, and educator. She has directed productions for several Philippine theater companies and is recognized for her work in both contemporary and musical theater. She serves as the director of People, Places, and Things‘ Manila staging.
Bela Padilla is a Filipino actress, writer, and filmmaker known for her work in film and television, including 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Meet Me in St. Gallen, and 366. She makes her theater debut in People, Places, and Things, alternating the lead role of Emma with Gabby Padilla.
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