A migrant worker in Malta, an angst-filled youth and a career woman experiencing the empty nest syndrome are the protagonists of Her Say III, being staged at Spazju Kreattiv, in Valletta, from March 6 to 8.
The play, performed every two years, will follow the same format as in the previous editions, with three monologues of roughly 20 minutes, each encompassing a new story, written by a different author and interpreted by a different actor.
Set in contemporary Malta, this year’s narratives reflect present-day realities, as director Charlotte Grech explains.
“In the first monologue, we are looking at a migrant worker, a 30-year-old woman who has been in Malta for 10 years and is contemplating whether to stay or go, after the changes and experiences she has endured. It’s a sharp and balanced piece,” Grech says.
She describes the second monologue, which follows a 17-year-old youth on a night out in Paceville, as “a gritty one”.
“It deals with the fear and anxiety that surrounds this particular age bracket. But there is also space for humour amid the realms of this youth,” she notes.
“It is a very realistic picture of Malta that our younger generation faces, told truthfully in sharp Maltese.”
The third monologue is about a career woman who is dealing with empty nest syndrome.
“This is perhaps a theme which we don’t often encounter. Again, the dialogue is vibrant, and very realistic. It talks about the solitude our character faces and what she does to tackle it. Again, it is peppered with humour, which makes it all very relatable,” Grech points out.
Keeping it real
The director approaches her craft with a commitment to authenticity and emotional resonance.
“I like to direct with honesty, in order for the dialogue to linger long after the show ends. I like to spend time dissecting the language − identifying and punctuating the lines to resonate with our audience, be it male or female, young or old,” Grech says.
“I am lucky to be working with three brilliant actors who are up for improvising on the lines, but again who will speak to their audience directly, in a real tone. The narrative you will hear could be the words you have heard in your head, from your friends, or even a relative.”
“The narrative you will hear could be the words you have heard in your head, from your friends, or even a relative”
But with three distinct narratives unfolding, what unifies these stories on stage?
“I keep it cohesive in that we try to identify themes which belong to all the three narratives − themes we know of − belonging, fear, loneliness, rapture, journeying and what the future holds,” Grech says, while adding that the end scene sees all three characters coming together.
The director senses a hunger for stories that delve into women’s experiences, especially those written from “a distinctive Maltese lens”.
“This is what makes the pieces real and close to home, more than ever. I do hope we will continue on this journey, and also hope that the writing will also be published in the years to come, in order to capture this new project and to provide new documentation in the history of women’s contemporary theatre in Malta.”
‘Not just for women’
Grech is encouraged by the feedback received from the previous shows.
“The feedback has been great so far. It’s wonderful to see the conversation continue, not just when we have a Q&A after the first show, but well afterwards,” she says.
“Women have also come forward to propose themes, themes which we don’t normally talk about in a Maltese context, and which will hopefully be included in future editions.”
The play, however, is not just meant for a female audience, Grech is quick to point out.
“This is not a play just for women, but I encourage men to also come and watch − anyone who has been or is in a relationship, or would like to be in one can identify with the core themes. After all, it is through understanding human nature, that we can all grow with empathy and joy.”
Her Say III is commissioned by Spazju Kreattiv and will be performed at the Valletta theatre between March 6 and 8. The show, written by Clare Azzopardi, Lara Agius and Davinia Hamilton, stars Charlotte Formosa, Moira Vassallo and Sandie Von Brockdorff. For more information and tickets, visit www.spazjukreattiv.org.