Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1547581
My essentials MARTHA-MARIE GAUCI Theatre maker Daughter of a playwright and an actress, I was born into theatre and have never really left it. I studied performing arts in Malta and Dublin. An artist, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, I am drawn to the human condition, its silences, contradictions and beautiful imperfections. I create with a restless imagination, a tender heart and little tolerance for bs. 1. Online story 2. Film 3. TV/Internet 4. Music 5. Place METALLICA'S Black Al- bum, without hesitation. This question takes me straight back to my cassette days! I remember the feeling of putting it on and listening to it over and over. It still has the same impact: 'I'm your dream, make you real I'm your eyes when you must steal I'm your pain when you can't feel... These words capture the al- bum's introspective themes reflected in the sound, the energy and attitude. IN Malta, it has to be Għargħur, my village. There is a strong sense of identity and pride among the Għargħurin, and I hope the village manages to hold on to its community, its familiar faces and its traditions as the years go by. Abroad, Trinidad in Cuba has stayed with me, perhaps be- cause of the long conversations I had there and the people I met. Rome is another place I keep re- turning to. I have my favourite café and my regular lunch spot. The last time I visited, a waiter who had since retired actually came by to say hello. Despite claiming to dislike routine, I suppose I am a creature of habit after all! I recently read the script of Lost Boys. I picked it up out of curiosity, and because I am always interested in discovering how other play- wrights approach story- telling. I love reading plays because I immediately start imagining how I would cast them, how the actors would move and how I would stage certain scenes. Of course, in my head there are no budget limitations or practical con- straints, which makes the whole exercise even more enjoyable! One thing it re- minded me of is how much a story can change depend- ing on the choices made in bringing it to the stage. ONE film that has stayed with me is My Name Is Khan. The exploration of humanity goes beyond labels, prejudice and stereotypes. The simple statement, "My name is Khan, and I am not a terrorist" car- ries an enormous weight. The film reminded me that kind- ness, dignity and the ability to see the human being in front of us should always come be- fore assumptions. I don't spend much time fol- lowing social media. Lately, I've been enjoying the series The Marlow Murder Club. It's my little guilty pleasure. I sit down with a warm cup of tea, get drawn into the lives of these ladies and, for a while, don't have to think about anything else. Some- times it's lovely just to switch off and enjoy something without analysing it! Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com 4 5 1 4 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2026 ALMANAC 3 2