Kevin Fountain's CV is very impressive - particularly if, like me, you are consumed by pop culture, rather than the other way round. See, Kevin trained at Royal Academy of Music, before going on to become the vocal coach for the Billy Elliot-boys until its recent closure, a behind-the-scenes vocal coach on ITV's The Voice (and will soon resume his role on their new, soon-to-hit-the-screens programme The Voice Kids), and to perform as a backing singer at concerts at the Royal Albert Hall, Wembley Stadium and for Britain's Got Talent on ITV.

Needless to say, Kevin knows a thing or two about performing and the Industry with a capital I... And he's currently passing on that knowledge and experience in his role as head of the Margaret Howard Theatre College (MHTC) in London, where numerous up-and-coming Maltese performers are currently studying. And eight of those, along with actor/singer/dancer and Associate of the Royal Academy of Music, Ben Darmanin, and many others, are currently in Malta to put on Grand Hotel: The Musical.

 

When did you join MHTC and what sets it apart from other theatre colleges?

I joined MHTC as a singing teacher in 2007, became Head of Performance in 2010 and then Head of College in 2013. At the College, we offer a unique course balance of both preparation for the Performance Industry and Training Dance Teachers. By tailoring the training to the student's needs, we ensure that they are all ready to set out into the theatre world upon graduation.

 

What's the relationship between MHTC and Malta?

The College has formed a strong bond with Malta over the years, particularly because a significant number of Maltese students have studied here. Our decision to perform our yearly musical in Malta was very much based on this wonderful link to your country, and we do hope audiences enjoy seeing their fellow Maltese artists - as well as the international ones - perform!

 

You're currently in Malta for Grand Hotel. Why did you choose this particular musical?

Choosing our musical is always based on the learning outcome for the students. I focus on their training and what value performing the musical will bring to the students through the learning process, based on the specific students we are working with that year. Grand Hotel was chosen for its balance of emotional variety and intensity, alongside the varying vocal style and character diversity. All that made it really appealing to me as an educator of performing arts - and it's also incredibly interesting to watch as an audience member, of course!

 

This was also produced in the UK. What was the reception like there and have you made any significant changes?

We sold out here in the UK, and the reception was wonderful - tears of joy and laughter! But there are some changes to the production, mainly to the set. The UK production involved a grand staircase which wasn't possible to recreate in Malta. Nevertheless, Maltese friends and family were on the look-out for props and set items that were too large to bring over with us. Moreover, in the UK, we worked with a six-piece band but we created a more intimate performance by working with a smaller band here in Malta. As always, we are looking forward to working with Kristian Schembri on percussion again as well as Chris Gatt our fantastic lighting designer. I am always excited by the collaboration between the two countries - it adds such a great dynamic!

 

What has your experience working with the students been like?

The students' work has been wonderful thanks to their focus and research into the piece, characters and the period it happens in. Our college musical involves the entire college from the three different year groups and they are 'in the room' throughout the process so they are constantly learning from each other. This helps the first collaborate with a third year and vice versa.

 

I find the Maltese students are a pleasure to work with, just in case you're wondering. They bring a huge amount to the rehearsal room with their energy and commitment to the piece. They are so proud to bring the musical to their home and show off their skills, and I'm sure they have enjoyed focusing their work into accents, period style and behavior of the era.

 

What can you tell us about the other MHTC team members coming down with you?

Helen Conway and Holly Penny have both choreographed for this show and are a pleasure to work alongside. They have workshopped the students and adjusted choreography to ensure a smooth communication through movement of the wide spectrum of subject matters this musical tackles. We also have the pleasure of working again with Jordan Li-Smith, who is very much in demand as a musical director here in the UK, and who has just won an Offie [An Off West End Theatre Award] for his production of Ragtime at the Charing Cross Theatre.

 

Our motto, in general, is to focus our training by allowing the Industry to lead and our creative team certainly does that!

 

What can audiences expect from this production?

The piece wanders through a variety of musical styles and genres. It has moments of the visuals and sounds of the 1920s while taking on darker themes and twists as the plot progresses. This provides a colourful palate of choreographic and directorial opportunities as we take the audience on our journey through the Roaring 20s. Moreover, through the costumes, we have created the divide of class and culture that existed in this post First World War and Pre Second World War era and have highlighted the extreme wealth and poverty that existed during this time.

 

Grand Hotel The Musical will take place at Spazju Kreattiv on Thursday 1st June 2017, Friday 2nd June and Saturday 3rd June at 8pm. For tickets please call 2122 3200 or book online at www.kreattivita.org