Kobie Brown takes on intense Lance role in ‘About Us But Not About Us’ rerun

Former PBB housemate embraces dark, complex character in IdeaFirst Live! comeback after theater breakthrough.

“I just want to find his truth. One can’t fake it onstage.”

With that guiding principle, 22-year-old Filipino-British actor and singer Kobie Brown is stepping into the role of Lance in the upcoming rerun of IdeaFirst Live’s critically acclaimed stage adaptation, “About Us But Not About Us.”

Taking on a role penned by acclaimed writer-director Jun Robles Lana and staged under the direction of Tuxqs Rutaquio is no small feat.

Lana crafted Lance as a University of the Philippines (UP) literature student—a calculating survivalist and dangerously manipulative young man operating beneath a quiet, deceptively calm exterior.

Brown acknowledges the high bar set by previous portrayals, but he is eager to dig deeper into the character’s psyche. “He looks like he is okay on the surface level. People may think everything is okay, pero marami pala siyang pinagdadaanan,” he says. “He’s just human. This is the first role that I get to portray na sobrang bigat.”

Though Brown admits his personality contrasts sharply with Lance’s dark psychology, his approach is rooted in emotional honesty and vulnerability—qualities he believes will bring the character’s truth to life onstage.

While taking on a psychological drama of this scale is a major step forward, the stage is far from foreign territory for Brown. He previously made his theatrical debut in PETA and ABS-CBN Teatro Kapamilya’s “Tabing Ilog The Musical” in 2023, later reprising his role as James in its successful 2024 rerun.

Accidental artistry: Finding a passion beyond the pitch

Long before lights, cameras, and stage cues, acting wasn’t even on Brown’s radar. During his student days at Southville International School, his aspirations were anchored entirely in sports.

“I never ever envisioned myself to be on TV or be a celebrity at any point in my life,” Brown admits candidly.  “I really wanted to play football professionally.”

Fate, however, had a different playbook. After entering the “Pinoy Big Brother: Connect” house in 2020, where he earned the moniker “Charming Striker ng Parañaque” and ultimately finished as the 3rd Big Placer, acting opportunities quickly came knocking.

As the stars aligned, Brown embraced the shift, carving out a screen career with appearances in television projects and films like “Connected, The Entitled” (2022), and “Sisa” (2026). 

In stepping into entertainment, he discovered a profound artistic awakening. “I have fallen in love with the craft that I never thought I’d be falling in love with,” he reflects, noting how the industry taught him to stretch his limits and embrace the unfamiliar.

Bitten by the theater bug

Much like screen acting, theater was an unexpected detour. Though he had long appreciated the form—citing unforgettable audience experiences watching “The Phantom of the Opera” at The Theatre at Solaire and “Wicked” in London’s West End—it was his own turn in “Tabing Ilog” that sparked a deep, personal reverence for live performance.

“At first, I was hesitant to audition. Kabado ako. Mahiyain talaga ako,” Brown shares. “I’m glad that I took that risk and fell in love with theater.”

Now thoroughly bitten by the theater bug, Brown sees live performance becoming a mainstay in his career. For him, nothing compares to the ephemeral high of the stage—the adrenaline rush and the immediate, raw exchange between actor and audience.

“Masarap ’yong feeling that you see people’s faces being happy with the work you did,” he explains. “Every performance, iba-iba ang dating. It can only happen once.”

Catch Kobie as Lance on the following dates: October 3 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.), October 9 (8 p.m.), October 10 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.), October 16 (8 p.m.), October 18 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.), and October 24 (3PM and 8PM), at Circuit Makati’s Power Mac Spotlight Blackbox Theater. 

Tickets are available on Ticket2Me.net.

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