Panto’s power couple

This Christmas, Malta’s larger-than-life Dame Edward Mercieca will be taking us to a magical underwater world in FM Production’s ‘The Little Mermaid: The Panto under the sea’, under the direction of Chris Gatt. Here, the colleagues of 30 years give us a l

In the traditional realm of the pantomime, the partnership between actor Edward Mercieca and director Chris Gatt is something of a tradition in itself. This is, in fact, their 30th year working together and this Christmas they’ll be going underwater at Teatru Manoel with FM Theatre Productions’ The Little Mermaid: A Panto under the sea.

Perhaps the first image that comes to mind when thinking of pantos is that of the Dame, a role that Edward Mercieca has come to be associated with and which he will take up again this year as Dame Bormaljotta, mermaid Ariel’s nanny. Dames are notoriously over the top, wearing voluminous wigs and exaggerated make-up and Edward’s are, without a doubt, larger than life. “I think I’ve played all the roles except Fairy in my panto career, but I find the Dame suits my personality best, though I loved playing the baddie,” Edward says. “I certainly wouldn’t mind playing it again, as well as the comic, which I’ve done once or twice.”

Edward feels that young actors wishing to land a main role in a panto should take it slowly. “Unfortunately these days, some young actors come in and do a year of chorus and then expect a main role the following year. It doesn’t work like that. Panto chorus is one of the most demanding roles you’ll play, combining singing, dancing and fast costume changes. It’s a great learning curve to do this for two or three years. If you’re good and have the panto skills, you will be given more lines and responsibilities, and you will get noticed. There’s too much ‘I want it all and I want it now’ attitude in some,” he laments. “Panto is a unique genre where the actor is breaking the fourth wall continuously; it kind of breaks all the acting rules in a way, but it is a great acting university as you learn so much!”

If performing in a pantomime sounds exhausting, that’s because it is. “Production week is conducted like a precise military exercise as the various departments work together to sort out scene and costume changes, enormous dame costumes, makeup, wigs, sound checks, choreography, special effects, the children’s chorus, lighting and, of course, making sure that the actors actually know their entrances and exits. Fun times!” exclaims Chris. “The pressure is on, especially as you try your best to avoid late nights as, with more than 20 shows in the offing and winter flu creeping by the stage door, the last thing you need for panto is an exhausted cast and crew before you have even started.”

During production weeks, when two shows are put on almost every day, the cast and crew are like family and practically live in the not-too-shabby Teatru Manoel. “We normally have a sponsor who feeds us all and we try to go for a healthier choice these days, rather than the burger and fries sort of food,” Edward explains. “Although, having said that, burger and fries after a show is like manna from heaven!”

Speaking of food, Chris likens pantomimes to Christmas puddings. “I like the way the various elements are stirred into this Christmas pudding of an entertainment,” he says. “And like with pudding, we cut it open and share it with others in the hope that the rich, gooey, slightly heady mix of fruit and suet, if not a little brandy, will warm the cockles of their hearts.” It all sounds very lighthearted, but pantos are often a child’s first experience of the theatre, and that is something Chris feels a responsibility towards. “It’s a family show, and both adults and kids need to be catered for,” he points out. “For some, it is their only outing to the theatre. So, yes we are responsible for giving them a good night’s entertainment. But then again, that’s our job; it’s what we love to do. No pressure there, just the usual crossing of fingers, legs, toes, touching of wood, seeking out bent nails backstage, and hoping that our legs do not get broken. Other than that, we’re perfectly relaxed!”

Responsibility goes both ways in a panto since the audience plays an important part in each show. “Each audience is different; some are reticent, some more forward in their approach.

I think the audiences I dread most are the ones which include a person who thinks he (it’s usually a man) is the star of the show and interrupts the flow of the show with inane comments,” Chris says. “You know who I mean: the smart Alec. We’re watching out for you, Alec!” FM Theatre’s ‘The Little Mermaid

A Panto under the sea’ will be staged at Teatru Manoel, Valletta, with performances on 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December and on 2, 3, 4 January at 8pm. There will also be matinee performances at 3pm on 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December and 2, 3, 4, 5 January. Tickets are available online at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, emailing bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt, or calling on 2124 6389.