Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/494410
III This week maltatoday, Sunday, 12 april 2015 This week healthy Signal to noise ahead of her performance as the aloof Brooke ashton in the upcoming Masquerade Theatre production of Michael Frayn's beloved farce noises Off!, Jo Caruana tells TEOdOr rElJiC how she's looking forward to the role… along with a break from the busy theatre season What do you think makes Noises Off such an enduring and beloved play, and what do you hope to bring to it? The first time I watched Nois- es Off was when Masquerade staged it locally 10 years ago – and I was instantly hooked. I've watched it several times since, on film and on the West End, where it recently enjoyed a run with the very talented actress Cecelia Imrie in the hilarious role of Dott y Ottley. I genuinely think it's one of the funniest plays I have every seen. Any way, 10 years ago I prom- ised myself I would be in it at some point in the future and, lucky for me, Masquerade have revived it; I was thrilled to be cast. I will be playing the rather aloof Brooke Ashton, who is mostly concerned with keeping her lenses in place for the dura- tion of the performance. Now, with just a few days to go, we're all busy preparing our version of the show, and I hope it will be as well received as all the versions I have watched. I think there is something abso- lutely hilarious about watching a play within a play that goes terribly, terribly wrong. The stakes are always high with theatre, largely because opening night absolutely has to happen and the show simply must go on. That's exactly what this play is all about. But, trust me, there is every opportunit y for complete mayhem to ensue! What do you make of Anthony Bezzina's creative direction on this production? Tony is a total perfectionist, so I trust that the finished product will be impeccable down to the finest detail. In the meantime, we are having so much fun putting it all together and he, along with his team, is wonder- ful to work with. It's absolutely mad – especially as Act 2 is more of a choreogra- phy than a regular play. We are literally going over it again and again, but we often have to stop because we're laughing too hard to continue. As I said, though, this final stretch will see us perfecting every last move and line, so that the show runs like a well-oiled machine by opening night. What was it like working with the cast of this production? It's a really great cast and we're having a great time getting to know each other while running around after plates of sardines (a trademark of the show) and trying not to bump into the scenery. As with most produc- tions, we're working together for hours at a time, so we've all gotten very close very quickly. There's a lot of trust that goes into a fast-paced show such as this as we all really rely on each other, so the fact that we really get along is helping no end. How would you describe the theatre scene in Malta? What would you change about it? I feel really proud to be part of the Maltese theatre scene. I think a hell of a lot has been achieved in the last decade or so, and there's now a lot of qual- it y around. In fact, there's some- thing to watch most weekends, and it's so exciting to see the range of theatre being produced, as well as to note that audience numbers are on the up. Of course, a lot of credit goes to the companies who came before us, and now it falls to us to ensure we produce the sort of productions that people enjoy, whether that's comedy, drama, physical theatre, dance, opera, musicals and so on. I think we should keep focusing on qual- it y and training for all those involved, so as to ensure that we can keep meeting and exceeding expectations. That said, this is no easy feat for anyone involved, especially for the producers who take on all the financial risk. We all do this during our free time and because we love it; going forward it would be great to see the continued professionalisa- tion of the local theatre scene, as that would give us all more time and resources to dedicate to it. What's next for you? It's been a brilliantly busy season for me – starting with the Comedy Knights in Decem- ber, then All New People by Masquerade at the Blue Box in February and now Noises Off this month. I have loved every second of it, but I will be taking a bit of a break now. I am build- ing a house at the moment (well, not with my own hands but you know what I mean…), so I plan to shift my focus onto that… and I've also promised my three dogs longer walks once rehears- als are over! As for next season, who knows? But I am already looking forward to it. Noises Off will be playing at the Manoel Theatre on April 17-19, 24-26 at 19:30. The rest of the cast includes Polly March, Alan Paris, Stephen Oliver and Victor Debono. Bookings: 2124 6619, bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt Another problem is the lack of different ideas. Most of us are governed by the ideas, mentality, points of view of a few, and they have become the status quo. If one had to look at the repertoire that is being studied by the current stu- dents, it is easy to realize that most of them, if not all, study the same pieces of music. Another case in point is contemporary music: why is it still not so popular in Malta as it is in other countries? We need fresh ideas, new music, experimen- tation, new approaches – otherwise we risk becoming stagnant and boring. The Malta Arts Fund Mobility Funds helps in overcoming these two problems by aiding artists in their ventures abroad. It is extremely important that artists deepen and widen their views and knowledge as this brings fresh ideas into the whole system. The fund also helps artists to promote their work on foreign grounds, with the possibility of further collabora- tions, projects and other opportu- nities. As a person who has been sup- ported by the Malta Arts Fund I hope that the mobility fund al- location is larger. More and more artists are realizing the benefits of using foreign grounds for further personal development and promo- tion and therefore one hopes that the fund will cater for this inf lux. Therefore, I am sure that the over- haul will be an exciting one and one which will widen possibilities. How do you think Maltese musicians, and perhaps Maltese artists in general, benefit from taking their work abroad? Taking work abroad is an op- portunity to widen the audi- ence. It is not just an exercise to increase popularity, but it is a chance to be open up to different ideas and opinions which can be used to better the work itself. So the venture becomes a learning opportunity which, if taken up well, can provide other opportuni- ties of collaborations with other artists. It also gives the artists the opportunity to export the Maltese culture and traditions while learn- ing about other cultures. The Cultural Export Fund forms part of Arts Council Malta's in- ternationalisation strategy for the culture and creative sectors and comprises three main concepts: Travel, Touring and Translation. Information sessions will be held on April 22 and 23 in Malta and Gozo. For more information visit www.maltaculture.com "We need fresh ideas, otherwise we risk becoming stagnant and boring" Jo Caruana (centre) during a rehearsal for Noises Off. Clockwise from left: Alan Paris, Victor Debono, Stephen Oliver and Polly March