Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/451763
II This Week maltatoday, Sunday, 25 January 2015 How did it feel to get into this production right after Comedy Knights? I'd heard that Tony was doing Noises Off in April and I'd got in touch with him to ask if I could audition, as it's one of my favourites. He told me that he was doing something before then that he wanted to see me for and, as always happens, rehearsals for All New People started the day after we finished the Comedy Knights. It's a very different show and a hugely different character to any- one I've ever played in the past, so I'm really enjoying the challenge. How would you describe the experience of Comedy Knights? Did it teach you anything you deem important about acting, particularly in comedy? I initially turned the show down, I'd never done comedy before and I've never seen myself as being particularly funny. After a bit of convincing I relented and I'm glad I did. It really helps to be working with a great script, and almost a year after moving back to this crazy island I can confirm that we really do have the best subject matter to work with. Honestly, spend five minutes in any shop and you've got a sketch script done. How would you describe the tone of All New People? Are you looking forward to developing your character, and what angle will you approaching him from? It's a dark comedy and really well written. Zach Braff is a great writer and a fantastic actor and did a great job of writing this – I hope I can do it justice. Myron's a drug-dealing, New Jersey fireman so he's a tad different to me – but that's the challenge! The accent and voice is a great place to start from, even when learning the lines I learn them in the accent and at his pitch so that they really anchor in Myron's character. There are other funny ways that help with the develop- ment such as the physicality that the fireman's suit brings with it, I find it really helps build the overall picture. Are you looking forward to performing at M Space? Definitely. I started off lo- cally with Masquerade and it's wonderful that [Artistic Director] Anthony Bezzina built this gem of a centre, M Space, which houses Blue Box, the intimate theatre All New People will be staged in. It's great to have such an immersive space to work in. How would you describe the theatrical scene in Malta? Wonderful. Everyone does it be- cause they love it. It has its limita- tions due to our size and budgets but it has soul and passion. Plus, with Malta being so tiny, I can fin- ish work and zip off to Msida for a rehearsal – best of both worlds! What's next for you? I'm going straight into Noises Off, also with Masquerade, but af- ter that I'll be taking a short break while I get stuck in with renovat- ing this retro 50s f lat I got at the end of last year. I love getting my hands dirty and I'm doing as much as I can myself so with working Dolly Parton hours it doesn't leave a lot of time for much else. All New People will be staged at M Space, Msida on February 27 and 28; March 1, 6-8 at 20:00. Directed by Anthony Bezzina, the rest of the cast includes Malcolm Galea, Maxine Anastasi and Jo Caruana. Tickets are at €10 and €15. Bookings: 2124 6619 or 7979 3737 or by logging on to www. bluebox.com.mt 'Theatre in Malta is the best of both Having returned from a stint in the uK and participated in Christmas variety show The Comedy Knights, actor Thomas Camilleri speaks to TEOdOr rELJIC about his upcoming role in all new People, Masquerade Theatre's production of the Off- Broadway hit written by Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State) Art off the mainstream ahead of the collective exhibition 'a Junction', TEOdOr rELJIC speaks to ryan Falzon about the group of young artists who are slowly but surely turning the Xarolla Windmill in Zurrieq into an alternative exhibition space How would you describe this 'studio project'? What is its history, and what are some of the common themes and artistic preoccupations that the artists assembled within it share? The open studio project started in March 2013, when Sabrina Calleja Jackson and myself approached the Zur- rieq Local Council for a space to use as an open studio and exhibition area. The space caters mostly for emerging art- ists who feel the need to share their works and thoughts on an informal level with other artists, while generating new works and expanding their horizons. Most often, discussions revolved around the art scene in Malta and abroad, and particular top- ics or concepts that are tackled at the moment by the resident artists. The idea of an open studio also serves to create a dialogue between the artists working on site and visitors, who either come specifically to meet the artists, or came to visit the Xarolla Windmill itself, which also a tourist attraction. This engagement helps the artists to reach one of their main aims: that of introducing art in com- munities. This isn't the first time members of this group – loosely speaking – have exhibited in Zurrieq. What attracts you to this space? First and foremost, we are interested in exhibiting in spaces which are off-centre and away from locations synony- mous with art exhibitions and performances. When we first started to work at the location, a few people expressed their concern that it would be dif- ficult to attract an audience, but so far they have been proven wrong. From such a project, I believe that there is a demand for events happening all over the island. Also, most of the members of the group are from Zurrieq and other locations in the south, so there is a personal attachment and relation to the space, and area. Do you think young artists can eventually be professionalised in Malta? There are various opportuni- ties for emerging artists in the form of funds and exhibitions aimed for young artists, but there are several drawbacks that make it difficult for a young artist to become a professional and be able to live exclusively off his art. A major drawback is the lack of a professional gallery system. I believe that, although there has been an improvement, we are still far from having young, professional artists in Malta. How would you describe the local arts scene? I would say that lately, there have been initiatives and exhibi- tions that really set my hopes high regarding the local art scene. The excuse of the local art scene being behind foreign scenes is passe, due to the instant, vast exposure of ideas from all over the world with the use of technology. Sometimes, "We are interested in exhibiting in spaces which are off-centre and away from locations synonymous with art exhibitions"