By SERGIO GRECH
From time to time several theatrical groups were founded in Malta.It is not easy for such groups to survive locally. Many die mainly not because they lack dramatic know how but due to financial constraints. An adequate sum of money is required everytime a theatre group decides to go on board. Expenses range from hiring of theatre,costumes.sets,publicity ana a lot more.More assistance from the government and private sectors should be given to such organisations. Theatre groups in Malta have no profits but many a time they have to fight debts and hope for a balancing bill after the curtains are drawn.
The oldest theartre group in Malta is MADC.It was founded in 1910. At first only British officers and wives could enter members. The MADC is inseperable from the CHristmas panto. This year it will be the turn of Humpty Dumpty. In November 1925 the MADC left the Manoel Theatre to go to the Royal Opera House. The last performance of the mentioned theatre was French Without Tears. Usally the group acted mainly plays in English.Every summer MADC presents a shakesperian play. Next summer they are to play A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM.The President of the Republic is their patronD. More information can be obtained from MADC PLAYHOUSE, Quarries Square, Sta.Venera, Malta.
Another old group is MALETH;founded by Nosi Ghirlando-one of Malta's ever loved actors.It remained one of the most purveyors of drama in Maltese.Foreign plays were translated and presented to the audiences;usally the choice fell on safeboxes offices dramas like Simon,Coward,de Beneditti,Pirandello.etc.Frank Ganado was one of its most enthusiastic member.His plays were presented by the group many times.A typical example was his STUDIO FLAT GHALL-KIRI. Maleth "employed" with her a score of talented actors and gave opportunities to new faces to act. Every year an operetta in Maltese is presented.The group is led by Joe Fenech; an actor, a baratone and translator of plays>This next year MALETH will present a Maltese version of deFilippo's Questi Fantasmi.
In 1970"s Malta's number actress founded Atturi Productions who gave a number of attractive performances. Azzopardi starred in several roles with Ebejer; Malta's leading dramatist.A memorable performance given by the group was DEATH OF A SALESMAN by A.Miller.
In 1974 George Micallef founded the Valletta Dramatic Company usally offering comedies AND Operettas. Last year Scunizza was praised by critics. Operattas productions include CInCilla, Il-Paese dei Campanelli and Lo zingaro BArone.
Eleven years ago Carmel S.Aqulina (Malta's leading director), John Suda, Manoel Cauchi and Alfred Mallia founded KOperatturi.The Good Doctor (Simon), The Sneeze, Is-Sigra, Therese Raquin are memorable events in the short history of vthe group. Another success was marked by Is-Surmast; a prosaic story by Trevor Zahra turned into a three act play by the author himself. The play was repeated two seasons after another.Every night the theatre was packed.The main part was played by John Suda and the direction by C.S. Aqulina.
Politeatru was founded by Mario Azzopardi and it was intended to educate workers through plays written by monsters of the theatre.This season Politeatru will present Kannibali by David Pace;based on 4 stories wriiten by Mark Twain.Stephen Florian was the person behind the foundation of TEATRU 111.The group is made up of MTADA graduates>Two seasons back the grpuo presented QALB TA' KELB directed by Coryse Borg and dramatised by Florian himself,Tghis small grpuo has its own playhouse,i.e.Lascaris Playouse. Their last production was Laughing Wild.Guzeppui Schembri formed some years back the TEATRU STRADA STRETTA. One of their impressive performances was Faust at the Opera House Ruins.
Teatru tal-Bniedem is a group worjking on Barba style. The group is led by John Schranz. THEATRE ANON is another experimemntal group made up of young actors who excell in body language and body control. Their debut was wih Voltaire's Candide.Their ultimate success was Dorde. The actors work with no directors and usally they direct each other. Besides experimental plays they still work in conventional theatre.
An important shool for the provision of actors is the DUTP; what was before the MTADA. The seventies productions of the mentioned school weere remarkable.One of the best recent production was La tidhol id-Dota a commedia dell'arte written and directed by Manoel Cauchi; one of Malta's contemporary actors.
Recently formed is TALENTI theatrical group formed by Mario Micallef. Although the group is still in its infancy it managed to register important successes like their productions "Dehra Minn Fuq Il-Pont" (a translation of "A View From The Bridge", "Il-Kerrejja" (written by Guze' Chetcuti). Their next project is Shakespeare in Maltese. The translator: Alfred Palma.
Another group worth mentioning is "Teatru Jien u L-Ohrajn" led by Joe Quattromani. The group presents every year at the Manoel a classic work. Their recent Moliere play was very good.
A recently formed group was WET TEARS who had its dfebut last October with Hedda Gabler. Other groups include Palkett,CAST,Talent Mosti......
Lest hope that many more groups will be founded ion the sake of pure art! Courage and self determination are required to survive.
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SOME THEATRE COMPANIES ADDRESSES MADC QUARRIES SQ STA VENERA MALTA TALENTI 153.OLD THEATRE STR VALLETTA M WET TEARS 20,WESGHA 5/10/74, ZEJTUN.M THEATRE ANON MITP ST CHRISTOPHER STR VALLETTA.M (OTHERS LATER ON)
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E-mail to Sergio Grech.
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