'Age is a feeling' has received acclaim at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Soho Theatre, as well as a nomination in the 2023 Olivier Awards. Did its success influence the decision to bring it to Malta, and what can the Maltese audience expect?

TA: I decided to look into producing the play in Malta before these awards were given. I had watched the play at the Edinburgh Fringe and was deeply moved by its powerful delivery and subject. The play is universal because it deals with the way every human being deals with age and the life journey that age takes us through. The Maltese audience can expect a very honest, uplifting, humorous but also emotionally charged performance by Clare that will surely not leave them indifferent to self-reflection. Clare Azzopardi's Maltese translation also makes the work more relatable to the Maltese-speaking public.

 

It's a play that explores themes such as friendships, heartbreak, love, travel, adventure, career and family, among others. How are you approaching your direction to Clare Agius to portray the complexities of the ageing journey with charm, wit, honesty and vulnerability?

TA: The text is mainly written in the second person so the role of the actor is of a storyteller that penetrates our gaze and invites us to a life journey of the person they're talking about - prodding into what could essentially be the story of our own life. The rehearsal process has been intensive. Not only are we exploring the technical elements demanded by the piece and playing with the rhythm of the text, but we spend significant time delving into our own life experiences and how these connect with the journey of the play. Stylistically the piece demands an underplayed emotional stance whereby the performer must be detached from any dramatic overtones. Experimenting with this balance and reaching the optimal moment of honesty, reflection and vulnerability with an audience is scary, challenging but also beautiful.

 

It's also described as a never-the-same-twice solo show. Can you elaborate on how each performance is unique, and how this aspect enhances the overall experience for the audience?

The play includes 12 stories that are interwoven in the person's journey. Every night the audience is invited to choose which stories it wants to hear. Six out of 12 stories will be heard in a one out of 180 possibilities of how the story can be told. Every performance will be different revealing some stories and not others, just like a person's life is never revealed in its entirety to another.

 

Clare, I'd like to get you into this conversation. As a solo performer, how do you navigate the challenge of presenting a never-the-same-twice show? What aspects of your performance allow for spontaneity and connection with the audience while maintaining the integrity of the script?

CA: It's a new experience for me to navigate through the stories within the text based on what the audience will be choosing to hear on that night! This will definitely be putting my skills to the test. I have done improvised theatre work before but in this case, the richness of the text is so profound and well written that there will be no ad libs! I am performing all the stories as if they were my own (and some of them could very well be!). I am putting insane hours of studying, rehearsing with Toni and will promise to be absolutely present during my delivery to give a unique performance nightly!

The themes of the play seem to delve into universally relatable experiences. How do you believe the Maltese audience will connect with and interpret the various life moments portrayed in 'Age is a feeling'? Do you have a monologue that you relate to and really wish to interpret every night if you had the chance?

CA: As you mentioned, the script is very relatable no matter where you come from and even if you would not have experienced some of the scenarios presented, you probably know someone close to you that has. As long as there is life, there are endless possibilities and experiences to go through, be it positive or negative. Life is the sum of all our experiences, good and bad, giving our journey through this life purpose and meaning. At least that is what one hopes. I would not like to influence the readers but yes there are some stories that I found incredibly moving. That being said, my job as an actor is to find the truth, joy and connection of each and every one. I'm very much looking forward to the journey the audience will be taking me through with their choice of stories!

 

Finally, what message or emotions do you hope the audience will take with them with Is-Snin li tħoss, especially in the context of the unique translation and presentation in Malta?

TA: The piece is an open invitation to reflect on life, our relationship with age and how we navigate through life's choices. I hope that its optimism will fill the hearts and minds of audiences, giving them enough time to process whatever they connected with in the story with love and a good glass of wine.

 

'Is-Snin li tħoss' runs from Friday, 16 to Sunday, 25 February. It is produced by Udjenza and is part of the Spazju Kreattiv 2023/2024 season with support from Arts Council Malta, as well as Repêchage, Chic Med Aesthetic Clinics and Campari.

 

For more information visit www.kreattivita.org