Founded in 2009 by Rebecca Camilleri, Matthew Pandolfino, and Jimmy Grima, rubberbodies is an ensemble of performers and collaborators, merging dance, theatre and visual art as tools to create Coming from different training backgrounds, now they’re searching for points in which different art forms can meet. As each of their artistic visions constantly interweave, change and fertilise each other, they find ways of bringing to life their visual conceptions. This is what gives zest to their current performance ‘Grace u Rofflu’.

This performance is about a relationship between two characters, Grace and Rofflu. Through performing and visual art rubberbodies paint the stages of this relationship; hidden feelings which the woman stores and the aggression the male expresses. The intention is not to stigmatise the male figure but to highlight and uncover realities of domestic violence. The performance creates a balance between the male and female figure, bringing out sweet and evil elements in both. The process started from a series of improvisation workshops between performers Rebecca Camilleri and Jimmy Grima, from which ideas emerged and a narrative structure was created. All the material created is a product of how the performers responded to a stimulus and how it developed when it was shared. This is what makes them part of the piece because it actually coming from them. They are an ingredient in the mixing and making of this performance.

On the other hand, Matthew Pandolfino who is responsible for the visual aspect of the performance was in constant communication with the performers from the very beginning , in fact some of the improvisations weere built around his costumes and props which were like toys given to the performers to play with.

When the structure was solidified, the work on music and lights commenced. Philip started to build the music piece by piece. Making use of a camcorder during the workshops, clips from the sessions were sent to Phil and from this visual reference he started to structure his music score. In the final stage of the process Philip will be attending the sessions to place his jigsaw puzzle of scores into place. He shall be performing cello and guitar during the performance.

Finally Chris Gatt was involved as a light designer. The performers believed that although the whole process is on the raw side of art, using mainly the body, recycled material for props and costumes and acoustic instruments, light was what would put this piece into another dimension and all this mixture would add a magical quality to this performance.

The performances will be taking place at the MITP theatre in St. Christopher Street Valletta on 18 and 19 September at 8 pm.

Tickets are at 7 euros and available at the door . Contact [email protected] 79057676/ 79256714 for additional information. This project is partially supported by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.