Neil Simon's award-winning comedy Brighton Beach Memoirs will soon take to the stage at the MADC Playhouse - with the help of a stellar cast.
Directed by Tyrone Grima, MADC's production features Antonella Axisa, Edward Caruana Galizia and Erica Muscat, alongside rising talents Leah Grech (Matilda The Musical), Thea Costa (Best Actress, 2023 MADC One Act Play Festival), Bernard Zammit (Best Actor, 2019 MADC One Act Play Festival) and Luke Chappell (semi-finalist on X Factor Malta).
Although the play is an excellent example of Simon's trademark humour - following Eugene Jerome as he navigates adolescence, hormones and life with his extended Polish immigrant family in 1930s Brooklyn - this semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story is also poignant, with complex characters. Caruana Galizia plays Jack, Eugene's overworked father. "He is the quintessential father figure, dedicated and wise, and he shoulders the weight of his responsibilities with a quiet grace," he says of Jack. "He solves problems with both reason and empathy - a skill likely honed through the hardships he faced in life."
Equally caring is his wife Kate, played by Axisa. "I call her Mama Bear. Although she is loving and nurturing, she can be ferocious in protecting her own," she says. "Kate is always busy, keeping the house clean and everyone happy, sometimes forgetting to express her own deep emotions." At one point, Kate's pent-up emotions make for an explosive confrontation with her sister Blanche, played by Muscat. Blanche, a widow with two teenage daughters, lives with her sister and her family - an arrangement that makes for a lively, tense and sometimes awkward home environment.
"Blanche is a charming mixed bag of contradictions," says Muscat of her character. "She's naturally a peacekeeper, juggling the roles of widow, mother, sister and aunt, but never quite allowing herself the time to simply be herself. She's playful and bashful one minute, worldly and insightful the next."
All three actors have developed a deep connection with their characters, despite the 90-year gap between the Great Depression and today, pointing to their resilience, decisiveness, character growth, energy and wit - inspiration that has washed over into the rehearsal room. "When bringing the dynamics between characters to life on stage, I believe that how we, as actors, engage with one another off the stage is of vital importance," points out Caruana Galizia. "Theatre is a team sport, and you work best in a team when you know how the others think and work."
While these seasoned actors understood and empathised with their characters and their lifestyles, they found capturing the historical setting slightly more challenging. "The social and cultural landscapes were markedly different with the rise of fascism and communism, and television had yet to begin shaping the collective consciousness," explains Caruana Galizia. "People's expectations of life, and indeed of each other, were entirely different, and bringing these nuances to life requires a delicate balance of authenticity and empathy."
Apart from the historical context, the actors also had to grapple with the unique vocal accents of Jack, Kate and Blanche. "It's a very specific blend that captures both place and time, and we've been fortunate to have an exceptional accent coach in Anne Wittman who guided us through this," adds Caruana Galizia. Axisa agrees, adding that experimenting with the Jewish New York accent has been so enjoyable that they often continue speaking in it when rehearsals are over.
Modern day Malta and 1930s New York may be almost a century and half a world apart, but the actors assure that today's audiences will relate to this delightful trio and their family. "This play is a beautiful testament to the resilience of families in the face of adversity," concludes Caruana Galizia. "It reminds us that, even when circumstances are tough, there's a strength that can be found in unity, in pulling together to overcome life's challenges."
Brighton Beach Memoirs will be held on 18, 19, 20 and 25, 26, 27 October at 7.30pm, at the MADC Playhouse, Sta Venera.
This production is suitable for audiences aged 14 and over, is supported by MCAST, and is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc: www.concordtheatricals.com
Tickets are available at www.madc.com.mt
