THE CLASS OF 2019: A NEW YEAR AND A NEW PROGRAMME FOR TEATRU MALTA

The Malta Independent on Sunday sits down with Teatru Malta’s artistic director to figure out what the National Theatre company’s newly launched programme for 2019 holds in store for audiences across Malta and Gozo this year

019 marks Buhagiar’s third year as artistic director of this budding national theatre company that only launched it’s very first programme last year; an ambitious programme of events that saw a total of 12 fully fledged shows produced and performed all over the island during the monster year that was Valletta 2018. The young company rose to the occasion, stands out and continues to do so in its attempt to create all inclusive theatre for all audiences all over the island.

“In 2019, Teatru Malta aims to strengthen its ethos of producing groundbreakingly relevant the- atre in unconventional and conventional spaces all across Malta and Gozo, thus democratizing and decentralising quality theatre work while producing a variety of content for any kind of audience. We’re not solely interested in mainstream audiences, we want everyone to come watch our shows and we also want to bring those shows to them, wherever that may be; we don’t call ourselves Malta’s National Theatre company without walls for nothing.”

A growing concern for Buhagiar is that theatre or rather the interest in it is facing stiff competition when put up against millennial technological distractions. “We live in an age where we have to prove to machines that we're not machines. Epic entertainment is available at the push of a button and everything is based on the short term. Many of our audiences, especially the younger generations, have so many options. I suspect that a huge percentage of the younger population, know their Netflix but not their Pinter, or Dickens for that matter. They know their Beyoncé but what about their Gershwin? This is why we want to make good theatre more accessible and relevant. “

“In such a context I wonder, how do we make our audiences commit to us? How do we prove time and time again that committing to theatre, is at the very core of the absurdity of being human? What is the role of theatre today? How do we keep up? Each year, I ask myself these sorts of questions. Having an audience commit is today a greater responsibility.’

“On top of that, our theatre is meant to be meaningful and im- pactful; the 2019 programme deals with political history, feminism, teen violence and group behaviour, the childish, the macabre, alienation and conformism. We are creating projects inspired by Halloween or Christmas. We don’t want to be obvious, but we don’t want to be irrelevant either. Our vision remains that of having all sorts of theatre, for all sorts of audiences. If you’re eight-years-old, 16, 29, 45, or even 88 – we should have something for you to enjoy.’’

With such a programme brimming with varied content, one must wonder what its highlights are but Buhagiar assures us that “every part of this programme is a highlight in its own right’’. “Whether it be children watching their classmates and peers perform in a production as part of the colourful Trikki Trakki Youth Theatre Festival lead by Antonella Axisa, the contemporary musical theatre VII directed and composed by The New Victorians which will attract history enthusiasts and musical aficionados alike or Ruben Zahra’s unconventionally macabre touring show Min Hi? which will visit a number of odd venues all over Malta this Halloween’’

Also worth mentioning is that Buhagiar will be directing one of Teatru Malta’s star shows; an adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s cult classic Larinġa Mekkanika which will be adapted for a teen audience with a Maltese translation by Wayne Flask as part of this year’s ŻiguŻajg Festival. “This was a project I had been wanting to throw myself into for a very long time, so when the festival approached Teatru Malta to work together on their teen production for 2019, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to divulge the main themes of Clockwork Orange, which is at its heart a sinister piece of writing laced with juvenile delinquency, youth gangs, and other social, political, and economic issues’’. “These are topics that need to be discussed, mostly amongst the youth themselves, and I think this is the opportune platform to get them talking about matters that need to be talked about’’

With 2018’s successes, the 2019 programme of events and the bright future of Teatru Malta on his mind, Buhagiar takes the time to acknowledge his team and peers:

“Most of all, I thank my team at Teatru Malta who have a knack for making dreams come true. Dreams, in fact, represent the visuals of this year’s programme. I thank the casts, crews, production staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to bring our stories to life for you, amidst pressure, laughter, excitement, and the joy of working together. Together, we weave the fabric that is this programme. I am honoured to be the artistic director of this young, but blooming national theatre’’ For more information on Teatru Malta’s exciting programme for 2019 visit www.teatrumalta.org.mt