‘Red’, being staged at St James Cavalier tonight and over the next weekend, promises to be a memorable and poignant theatrical experience. The Malta Independent on Sunday speaks to the director and two actors, who are all heavily involved in the drama scene, their opinions on the current theatre situation.  Mercieca, for one, laments the fact that while the Maltese theatre scene is progressing in leaps and bounds, state-run theatres are inadequate and are mostly run by people who are not knowledgeable in how a theatre should be run

 

Simone Spiteri – Director

What have you directed so far?

I’ve directed all plays in my theatre group Dù, except Kjaroskur and Il-Hajja Xejn Cool ta’ Teenager jismu Julian during the last ten years, but Red is the first time that I’ve ventured away from my group. It was equally daunting and exciting as well as a refreshing experience and one that I have learnt from so much.

 

Is it easier to direct a play with only two actors such as this one?

I think no play is ‘easy’ to direct because whatever the formula you are working with there will always be challenges tied to its particular context. Having two actors is great because as a small tight-knit team we can really dig deep into the text and a rehearsal is automatically extremely intensive from day one. The pressure and responsibility you feel from placing two people in such a vulnerable position is, of course, tough. Later on this season I will directing Blood Wedding with a cast and crew that will probably add up to more than 40 individuals… the responsibilities and sense of depth one needs to approach rehearsals for such a production need to be managed differently, but equally tough.

 

You have a Theatre Studies degree. Is your career entirely theatre-oriented?

In the last few years it has almost become the focal aspect of my working life, though it was certainly not like that for several years after I finished my studies. This was largely because of the intense work in theatre I did at the time had to be sandwiched between tens of other odd unrelated jobs which one invariably has to do after University, especially after an Arts degree. Having said that, I still teach (to make a living) and, while exhausting, it allows me a lot of contact with young people who I find very inspiring. Education is as close to my heart as art. One can’t really work without the other.

 

What’s your opinion on the theatre scene in Malta?

I think there’s a very exciting, encouraging growth which I hope will keep getting better and more professional. Personally, I hope that we will get to a point where all artists have equal opportunities to be adequately trained and that their eventual work be respected, treated and remunerated in such a way that it reflects the work and dedication that it demands from its practitioners like any other respectable profession or service. As someone who writes, I also have new writing at heart so I hope we’ll start seeing more of that too.

 

Edward Mercieca – Rothko

Some years ago you decided to move into theatre full-time, producing plays, acting and as the operator of a drama school franchise. Are you happy with the life direction you chose?

It was a career decision and I think it was the correct one for my family and me. I believe that the theatre scene has come a long way in the last 15 years. It probably moved forward quicker in the last 15 years than it did in the previous 30 and will probably develop even faster in the next 10. I am proud to be a pioneer in private theatre arts education when I launched my first drama school, Fagin's Children’s Theatre School in 1997. At that time we were the only private drama school in Malta. In 1998 we launched Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, the first Musical Theatre School in Malta. Many followed my example. Yes, I am happy about the way things have progressed since 1997.

 

So your opinion on the theatre scene here is generally positive?

Yes, the theatre scene is coming along in leaps and bounds; there are some fantastic young actors coming up and some really talented young directors too. That's a huge plus point. Of course there are plenty of things to do to improve the scene. Primarily we are sorely lacking in trained backstage and technical personnel and we as an industry must do something drastic to find a remedy. Our state theatres are inadequate and, I feel, are mostly run by people who are not knowledgeable of how a theatre should be run. Unfortunately they are run by boards made up of political appointees and whose primary objective is to please the Minister. It pains me to say this but ask anyone who works in this industry and I am sure that most, if not all, of them will agree with this.

There is very little consultation with the industry when projects are launched, and this happens all the time. Architects and designers who have never stepped inside a theatre are designing and purchasing equipment, flooring and other things willy nilly but we, the users find out when it’s too late. I am very concerned about 2018 for instance… hailing this as a huge victory for Malta when we were given the go ahead is nothing but hot air. The real victory for Malta is when we pull it off… when we will successfully accommodate over 500 productions during the 12 months of 2018 and not merely accommodate them but accommodate them to such a degree of excellence that it will put Malta on the same level as other major European cities who have been hugely successful Culture Capitals.

Let us not forget 2018 is not the end but the beginning. 2018 must leave a legacy of modern 21st century performance spaces for generations to come. 2018 is not a festival. I am concerned!

 

Jean Marc Cafa – Ken

In what have audiences seen you so far?

Well, it's been quite a while since I've only been back from getting a drama degree in the UK just over a year, and so far all I've visited is pantoland. I was Dance Captain on Ali Baba in 2011, the only pantomime I've ever been in. Before I went abroad in 2007, I had done a couple of Shakespeares for the MADC and before that I played Billy in The Goat and Jack in Into the Woods. I was back for a short spell in between, to play Link Larkin in FM's Hairspray too.

 

Tell us about your UK experience...

Best choice I ever made. Guildford School of Acting gave me so much, I will be forever indebted to it. The training, the support system, Surrey being so pretty! During my second year I decided I wanted to focus more on directing, teaching and the nature of the business, and GSA was very supportive of this. On top of doing the full performance course, GSA allowed me to shadow shows and classes – and even after I graduated, the school was happy to give me teaching work and assistant director work which, needless to say, I juggled along with auditions and performing.

 

Has it led to a career in theatre?

I left to pursue a career in theatre in the first place, and yes, it has. I have been very blessed in that ever since I graduated all my jobs have been related to the arts. I am also lucky to have been able to work non-stop, and to not have given up – the amount of graduates who stick with the industry dwindles ever so quickly.

 

What’s your opinion on the theatre scene here in Malta?

There is always room for improvement, although I feel we should keep perspective about how far the scene has come within the last few years. There's a lot of work to be done if we intend to create an industry. I also believe that the education system is still grappling with integrating culture and the arts within school programmes and the curriculum. 

 

The play

Edward Mercieca’s FM Theatre Productions has made a name for itself staging hilarious comedies such as ’Allo ’Allo, The Ghost Writer, Are You Being Served and a couple of pantomimes in recent years. With Red, both he and his company have probably taken on their heaviest, and most exciting role yet.

Written by Golden Globe winner John Logan – the writer of film hits such as Gladiator and Skyfall, the play has won six Tonys (theatre Oscars), including for Best New Play in 2010. The local production also features up and coming actor Jean-Marc Cafa with direction entrusted to one of Malta’s most exciting young theatrical virtuosi, Simone Spiteri.

The plot, inspired by real life events, revolves around the celebrated artist Mark Rothko (played by Mercieca) who is preparing murals for the exclusive Four Seasons Restaurant in his New York studio. He gives orders to his assistant, Ken (Cafa), as he mixes the paints, makes the frames and paints the canvases. Over time, however, Ken starts to question the great master’s theories of art and his decision to work on such a commercial project.

 

Red is sponsored by US Embassy and will be staged tonight and on 23, 24, 24 February at St James Cavalier. Booking through [email protected] or 2122 3200