Why not spend Valentine's Day feasting on relationship-centred comedy gold? Written by storytelling genius, Jessie Cave, Sunrise is an honest and hilarious account of one woman's trials and tribulations in relationships and motherhood. With seven showings between 14 and 23 February, the piece is set to be a highlight this theatre season.
Sunrise is being staged by FM Productions, on the back of the company's successes with My Fair Lady, Mamma Mia! and We Will Rock You. Their one-woman show in February marks a striking yet refreshing change of pace.
"Big musicals are immensely fun to work on, but Sunrise offers something different," says Luke Mercieca, producer at FM Productions. "We're changing things up a little, while still delivering top-quality theatre. Sunrise is our opportunity to strip down the fancy sets, costumes and special effects and focus on brilliantly written text.
"The story in Sunrise is relatable, brutally honest, charming and also incredibly funny. Jessie, the woman at the centre of it all, talks about relationships and healing after a break-up while also juggling motherhood. This is the double bind of a modern woman who's balancing her career and being a role model with having children and dealing with dating and rejection.
"We live in a world where getting over an ex is a drawn-out process thanks to social media. But there's a sense of encouragement in knowing that other people are in the same boat and it is completely fine to feel a certain way after a break-up. We can all relate to Jessie."
Sunrise tells this incredibly relevant story in a wickedly funny way. After a messy break-up, Jessie is dating again, and we are met with an anecdotal telling of crying in the woods, sexual accidents, Harry Potter conventions and spying on Instagram. All the while, Jessie is trying to get her personal life into some semblance of order - all before her children wake up.
"The show is charming and will leave audiences in fits," continues Mercieca. "It's an emotional rollercoaster, and telling the story requires a lot of stamina. Rebecca Camilleri has inhabited the role of Jessie superbly, portraying the rawness of her dynamic character. And our director, Chiara Hyzler, has a refined eye for detail, and her vision in bringing the script to life is one that audiences will relate to.
"Our main challenge, though, is the space. The Splendid is an intimate setting and therefore perfect for telling an intimate story where we want to be as close to the audience as possible. But that means that there's no hiding behind big sets, special effects or costumes. There are only three ingredients: the text, actor and audience. Everything must be real, raw and honest."
Promising to take you on a journey through a gamut of emotions, the show will make you laugh, cry and remember episodes from your own past. Most of all, you'll feel encouraged by knowing that you're not alone in the balancing act that is life.
"It's the little details in Sunrise that make it a special piece," concludes Mercieca. "We see the things that Jessie is secretly going through. We empathise, wince in recognition and have a bit of a giggle. The play is comic storytelling of the highest order but, above all, it radiates an effervescent, feel-good factor."
Sunrise will be performed at The Splendid in Valletta on 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 February.
Tickets cost €20 and the production is rated 18+. Booking early is recommended, as there is limited space. To buy tickets, send an email on: [email protected] or call the ticket hotline on 9904 8169.