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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 13 NOVEMBER 2022 7 ART 'Tis the season for laughs at MADC The Malta Amateur Dramatic Club (MADC) is bringing Christmas cheer to audiences a little early this year with their adult comedy A Kick in the Baubles, opening on 25 November. Here, actors Stephen Oliver and Francesca Briffa speak about becoming the dreaded 'snobbish' in-laws wreaking havoc on Christmas festivities WITH a title like A Kick in the Baubles leaving little to the imagination, theatregoers can expect an evening of raucous comedy with MADC's pro- duction of this Gordon Steel play. The story centres around Frank and Jean Bauble (John Montanaro and Maxine Aqui- lina), who brace themselves for a car-crash Christmas with the arrival of their dreaded in-laws Harry and Doreen (Stephen Oliver and Francesca Briffa), as well as the presence of their larger-than-life neighbours. "A Kick in the Baubles offers a hilarious birds-eye view of what can go wrong at Christ- mas," says Oliver. "Gordon Steel is better known for his serious plays, such as Like A Virgin. Here, though, he goes full tilt into comedy and adds a wonderful touch of family resolution, reminding us that Christmas is a time when fami- ly really matters." Harry is a working-class chap, whose business has flourished and catapulted him and Doreen into the world of the nouveau riche. "It's all there: the flashy car, speedboat, pad in Spain," says Oliver with a laugh. "Har- ry loves mentioning how much everything costs to highlight his success. He also sees him- self as a ladies' man, but with- out the courage to take it fur- ther, ever. In their relationship though, it is Doreen who wears the trousers!" "Indeed, she does!" interjects Briffa. "Doreen is the unbeara- ble aunt with 'new money', and thinks she is posh and more important than anyone else in the family. She is also a prude and very traditional in her ways, adding many fascinating angles to the character. Playing her is an absolute blast!" As with all comedies and farc- es of this ilk, it is almost re- dundant to ask whether the re- hearsal process is replete with laughter. Both actors quickly confirm that this is definitely the case. "We are working with a cast that is brilliantly funny," remarks Briffa. "It's great to be able to play off each other, and it is all coming together beauti- fully under the watchful eye of director Steve Casaletto." A Kick in the Baubles is be- ing performed at the MADC Playhouse in Sta. Venera. The script calls for a tremendous amount of farcical business, being set in the living room of a house fully decorated for Christmas. "Steve has utilised the MADC's stage to its fullest extent," muses Oliver. "And we fully exploit this – perfectly il- lustrating how, with so many people together at Christmas, the proverbial powder keg is lit for a potential explosion." "The space makes it so much easier to perform comedy. The intimacy invites the audience to immerse themselves in the on-stage antics so much fast- er," adds Briffa. "And for the actors to be so close to the au- dience and be able to hear, see and feel their reactions only serves to enhance the quality of their performance." Both Oliver and Briffa ac- knowledge they are thrilled to be working on such a well-writ- ten comedy and are sure it will deliver a laugh-out-loud evening for theatregoers. "A Kick in the Baubles is the perfect tonic to get us in the mood for the festive season, but at the same time, it's an un- missable opportunity to watch what happens when it all falls apart for others," concludes Oliver with a cheeky twinkle in his eye. "Don't miss it!" MADC's A Kick in the Baubles will be performed at the MADC Playhouse in Sta Venera on 25, 26, 27 November and 2, 3, 4 December 2022, with all per- formances starting at 7.30pm. This production is supported by Arts Council Malta and is suit- able for audiences aged 14 and over. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.madc. com.mt.