Chances are you're reading this article because you've recognised the woman in the picture. And that shouldn't come as a surprise, Theresa Gauci has, over the past few decades, cemented her status as one of Malta's most talented, ubiquitous and instantly-recognisable actresses both in theatre and on television.

On TV, Theresa has played the role of Sika in the iconic drama F'Bahar Wiehed, as well as Connie in Santa Monika, Agnes in Tmien Nota and Nena in the uber-popular Ic-Caqqufa. Yet, as she's often said before, 'the credit for my technique goes to the numerous theatre roles and the directors I've worked with.'

Over the course of her career, Theresa's worked with some of the biggest names in local theatre, too, including Albert Marshall, Joe Friggieri and Francis Ebejer, and has had roles in numerous productions.

Now, she's playing the role of Gerit in Alfred Buttigieg's original play, Mela Hawn Xi Manikomju?, a play which humorously outlines the hardships of four women who have been forced into a rehabilitation hospital by time and society.

What can you tell us about the character you'll be playing?

Gerit is a deranged woman at a ripe age. Although a great attention seeker who drives the people around her up the wall, she is very altruistic and is constantly thinking of others. In fact, it was this multi-dimensional dynamic that drew me to her. It makes Gerit's character extremely complex even though, at face-value, she might give the impression that she's mere common folk.

Was it easy to relate to her?

When conceiving a character, relating to that character is not my prerogative. I take a step back and try and define the character from the outside. When that process is over, I take on the character and embody her. I usually work by creating an idea and delving into it bit by bit until I arrive at a three-dimensional being, or else I strip the character from its external representation, until I arrive at the character's core. This time I think I did a combination of both. Absurd I know... but that is the reality!

What do you think of the script?

The script represents what is happening in the character's psyche. It creates a pendulum between past and present, reality and nostalgia, self-centeredness and generosity, individuality and shared connections. Although not ambiguous, there are emotions - or, rather, a state of being - to it. This is something which will need to be resolved in the audience's mind.

What can you tell us about the rehearsal process?

The way rehearsals have been conducted have allowed for a very thought-provoking journey. We didn't just read our lines and move a few steps here and there on stage. We made sure that we totally understood what was going on, and what was going through the characters' minds - and, of course, whether these two were directly correlated or not. Sometimes, the character's reality does not reflect what is going on around him or her, and that makes the journey even more complex, as one is moving on two seemingly parallel roads that are actually not parallel at all.

What can people expect to experience when they see the play?

I sincerely hope that audiences don't come to the performance with expectations, as I believe that this will limit their experience of this play. I always think of it like this: if you go to a wedding already looking forward to the shrimp barquettes, chances are your eagerness will turn into disappointment once you try them. But, if you simply go there without any expectations, then you might understand what the chef had in mind while creating the recipes. So... I hope people come to the performance with an open mind.  You know, sit down, relax, have a laugh, and also allow certain aspects (a word, an emotion, a state of being) to provoke thought and discussion.

Alfred Buttigieg's Mela Hawn Xi Manikomju? at St James Cavalier closes tonight with a final show at at 8pm. Tickets can be booked from St James Cavalier, on www.kreattivita.org, or by phone on 2122 3200. Tickets are priced at €15. This play, directed by the highly-acclaimed Tyrone Grima, is certified 18+ and is being supported by the Malta Arts Fund.