Murder, conspiracy, blackmail, kidnapping, and a coup d'état are the order of the day in Wayne Flask (aka Satiristan)'s black comedy 'Sibna z-Zejt'. Also featuring the Church and various other institutions, this socio-political satire directed by Sean Buhagiar is being touted as a night of side-splitting comedy.
The play also sees actor Peter Busuttil's return to the Manoel Theatre after an absence of many years, and the first time performing at the Manoel Theatre as an adult for Brussels-based actress Antonella Axisa.
Axisa plays Shana Mizzi - a millionaire business woman who is ready to trample on anything and anyone to get what she wants. She's very vain and greedy, and loves going on power trips, including with her twin brother whom she bosses around.
"The main challenge in playing Shana is finding a redeeming factor to still make her likeable," laughs Axisa. "But I must admit I love playing her because she's a fun, flamboyant character and I love physicalising a character who is very different to myself and also bigger than life. Rehearsals have been hilarious, to put it mildly. The script is very funny within itself, and then the great cast of brilliant actors add their own flair to the lines and they just become something else."
Right up to a couple of days before starting rehearsals for 'Sibna z-Zejt,', Axisa was pretty busy living the actor life in Los Angeles, where she was taking acting classes, auditioning, networking and growing as an actress in general.
"Acting has always been very important in my life," she states, "and at the moment I feel it's more important than ever. I'm in a very positive place right now and I hope that good projects keep flowing my way. After 'Sibna z-Zejt', I hope to do a few more theatre projects like this one, as I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I would also like to work in Maltese films by Maltese directors and see our indigenous film industry grow, especially projects that use the Maltese language."
For Peter Busuttil, this is the first time he is treading the boards at the Manoel Theatre since he left Malta many years ago to pursue a theatre career in Italy, mainly doing theatre with actor Pino Scicluna. Before that he had been involved in a plethora of productions locally, from a very young age.
"Producer Mario Philip Azzopardi asked me to do this part and I'm glad I said yes, for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I got to work with a bunch of wonderful people. Secondly, working at the Manoel is such a privilege. It's the first time I am working there since 1988. It's beautiful. Sometimes I go there much earlier than I need to be, just to soak up the atmosphere. We don't realise how lucky we are to have a theatre like this one. It's our legacy. And we need to take care of it... something which does not always happen, unfortunately."
Finally, he says, the fact that the play is an original one in Maltese was a definite plus for him.
Busuttil, who plays Jonathan - a Machiavellian type who is the real power behind the throne, , says that the play is unquestionably one that people should go and watch.
"Behind every prime minister there is someone pulling the strings," he attests, "This play is basically about people manipulating people. It's about power and the extent they go to get it. The fundamental question is - is this all worth it? Would I watch the play, as a spectator I mean? Definitely. It's a fun play with a mix of actors that come from different spheres but blend really well together. Plus one of the characters is a table called Mark. Intriguing, no?" he smiles with a twinkle in his eye.
Apart from Axisa and Busuttil (and the table), the cast also includes Mario Micallef, Simon Curmi, Ronald Briffa, JP Busuttil, Manuel Cassar, Gilbert Formosa, Clive Piscopo, Luke Dalli, Alan Fenech, Frank Tanti and Triccas.
'Sibna z-Zejt' will be running at the Manoel Theatre today and on the 21, 22, 23 and 24 May. There will be an extra matinee performance on the Sundays.