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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 APRIL 2023 5 THEATRE A different kind of musical Revamp's next production, the multiple award- winning musical The Band's Visit, is a quietly powerful show about the power of music to bring people together. Musical director Edward Mifsud and some cast members talk about what makes this musical special THE Band's Visit, a musical by David Yazbek and Itamar Mo- ses, follows an Egyptian police band travelling to an Israe- li town to perform a concert. When a miscommunication lands them in the wrong town, the lost musicians are taken in by the sleepy town's inhabitants for the night, leading to new friendships and connections that go beyond language and politics. This musical differs from oth- ers in many ways, having even been described as a 'quiet mu- sical', but the most obvious dif- ference is that the musicians are on stage and not in the orchestra pit. The music itself is unique, mixing Middle Eastern and folk music with jazz, rock, and classical music. "This reflects the show's themes of cultural exchange and helps to create a unique musical experience," ex- plains musical director Edward Mifsud. "However, as important as the score is, the use of silence is also an essential storytelling device in this piece." In this show, the musicians are also protagonists, which poses unusual challenges. "We had to ensure that the musical performances integrated seam- lessly into the action on stage, requiring a high level of coordi- nation between the actors, mu- sicians, and creative team," says the musical director. "Another challenge is for the actor-mu- sicians to be able to play their instruments proficiently while also delivering nuanced perfor- mances as actors. This requires a high level of skill and train- ing." Despite these challenges, the actor-musicians relished the opportunity to be part of the action on stage, something they are not used to. "This is the first time I'm interacting with other actors while performing, as I'm usually in the orchestra pit," shares cellist Simon Abdil- la Joslin. "Being involved in the acting part of the show gave me a new appreciation for the work that goes into such a produc- tion." Although George Curmi, known as Il-Pusè, has some ex- perience playing the violin while acting, this will be the first time he will also have a speaking role. "This is my first time tackling a part that is both musically and theatrically demanding, but I'm eager to rise to the occasion," he says. "Everything about this production is top-notch and professional, from the metic- ulous work of the costume de- partment to the musical and artistic direction." Clarinettist Godfrey Mifsud, another actor-musician, agrees, adding that the collaborative process between actors and musicians was the most exciting part of rehearsals. "It has been inspiring to see how everyone has brought their own unique style and perspective to create something truly special," he says. While the songs in The Band's Visit reflect the charac- ters' emotional states and the evolving relationships between them, there are also instrumen- tal pieces which serve a narra- tive function. Guitarist Marc Alan Spiteri Stafrace, another actor-musician, spent months learning how to play the oud, a very old string instrument com- monly used in Middle Eastern music. "Its distinctive, haunt- ing sound is used to great effect throughout the musical," says Mifsud. In fact, this musical showcas- es the talent of some of Malta's finest actors and musicians, pushing them out of their com- fort zone in much the same way its protagonists are. Charles Sammut and Dorothy Bezzina will be playing the two principal roles, with the latter also pro- ducing and directing the musi- cal. They will be sharing the stage with a cast of renowned actors including Mark Tonna, Rapha- el Pace, Sean Borg, Ryan Grech, Neville Refalo, Francesco Nico- deme, and Jamie Busuttil Grif- fin, as well as Michael Camilleri, who rounds up the actor-musi- cian cohort. The musicians on stage will also be supported by off-stage musicians Maria-Ele- na Farrugia, Robert Spiteri and Shaun Abdilla. "The Band's Visit is Revamp's first musical and by far our most challenging project yet, but working alongside such accom- plished performers has made the whole process an enriching and a truly enjoyable one," con- cludes Edward Mifsud. "We're really looking forward to shar- ing the experience with audi- ences come 6 May!" The Revamp MT production of The Band's Visit will run for two weekends from 6-14 May 2023 at Teatru Manoel. This production was made possible by arrangement with Music Theatre International, with the support of Arts Council Mal- ta and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and with the generous sponsorship of official partner, JMV Group. Tickets are available online from www. teatrumanoel.mt, via email to bookings@teatrumanoel.mt, or by telephone on (+356) 2124 6389. For further information visit www.revamp.mt or www. facebook.com/revampmt.