Producer and theatremaker Nikolai Azzopardi is deeply passionate about his craft, yet acknowledges one of theatre’s few drawbacks is its fleeting nature − once a production ends, it’s gone.
“If you missed it, there’s no real way to experience it, and you can’t simply revisit it later,” he says.
That is what motivated his latest initiative, Ljieli Teatrali − to give audiences another opportunity to see contemporary plays they might have missed, or to reconnect with work that resonated with them, in a cinematic setting.
Azzopardi also strongly believes that great work deserves a long cultural lifespan.
“With this festival, I want to extend the life of these productions, allowing them to reach new audiences and continue existing beyond their original run,” he says.
New format
The first edition of the new festival, taking place at Theatre Next Door in Magħtab from Friday to Sunday (April 10 to 12), will feature screenings of three notable Maltese plays: Il-Pożittivi (Udjenza), The Great Dictator (Nikolai Azzopardi Productions) and Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem lil Leli (Theatre Anon).
“All three productions are genuinely beautiful works that deserve to be revisited,” Azzopardi says.
“They stayed with me long after their original runs. One of them is, of course, a production I produced personally, so I may be slightly biased, but I truly believe each of these pieces represents some of the most compelling work seen on the Maltese stage in recent years.”
He adds that he carefully considered how these shows would translate to the screen.
“Not every stage production translates effectively to a cinematic format, but all three were filmed to a high standard and retain their impact in this new context. They can be appreciated just as fully on the big screen as they were live, which made them ideal choices for the festival.”
The first screening on Friday will be that of Il-Pożittivi, a hilarious play produced by Udjenza and written by Simon Bartolo, starring Ray Calleja and Clare Agius. It follows a group of people living with HIV who, despite their diagnosis, find connection, humour and friendship in unexpected ways.
On Saturday, The Great Dictator, produced through Nikolai Azzopardi Productions, written and directed by Malcolm Galea and starring Jamie Cardona, is being shown. It is the first-ever local professional stage adaptation of Charlie Chaplin’s iconic film, which follows a Jewish barber who returns home to find his country, Tomania, under the rule of the tyrannical Adenoid Hynkel. In a dual performance, Cardona plays both the barber and the dictator. Like the original film, it blends sharp comedy with a strong message at its heart.
Finally, Daqsxejn ta’ Requiem lil Leli is being screened on Sunday. Produced by Teatru Anon, based on a poem by Immanuel Mifsud and featuring original music by Kris Spiteri, the play portrays a man in the final moments of his life, reflecting on memories as he prepares to let go.
“Visually, it’s a particularly striking piece, with puppetry and movement that are among the most impressive seen on the Maltese stage,” Azzopardi remarks.
Growing interest
The producer believes the festival will be well received, pointing to growing interest in contemporary and original work among Maltese theatregoers.
“The strength of the stories being told at the moment, whether completely original or inventive adaptations, is of a very high standard. Considering the scale of budgets we typically work with in Malta, the quality being produced is genuinely very competitive with markets of a similar size and larger,” he says.
“The audience is definitely growing, although I would like to see that growth happen a bit faster. There are encouraging signs, particularly with certain productions reaching levels of popularity that are quite rare for original Maltese work. That suggests there is an appetite for this kind of theatre when it’s done well. That said, continued growth is important if we want to sustain the level of quality we’re currently seeing. Even if the pace is gradual, following the dip due to COVID, there’s been a clear upward trend year-on-year, and that’s something to be optimistic about.”
As for Ljieli Teatrali, Azzopardi says the three selected plays are being brought back “for a reason”.
“These are some of the most outstanding works I’ve seen on the Maltese stage in recent years, so if you missed them the first time around, this is your chance.
“This is a rare opportunity to experience these productions again, or even for the first time, in a new format. So I’d simply say, book a seat and come see for yourself the level of work that’s being created locally right now.”
Tickets for Ljieli Teatrali are available at www.fmt.com.mt/tnd. The screenings will have English subtitles. For more information about Nikolai Azzopardi Productions and its upcoming productions, follow its social media pages.
