Audiences headed to the MADC Playhouse this coming weekend and next are in for something different. Written by Tom Fowler and directed by Justin Kyle Camilleri, Suspicious Minds arrives with an inventive twist: it is performed as a live radio-theatre piece where sound and other effects are also created on stage.
Shaun Rizzo, Thea Costa, Myron Ellul and Maya Micallef Engerer take a break from rehearsals to talk about the challenges, surprises and joys of bringing this time-bending love story to life.
At its core, Suspicious Minds follows Mark and Fran, a couple on the brink, who embark on a surreal holiday through time in a last attempt to fix their relationship.
“The way the play unfolds is just as compelling as the story itself,” Shaun Rizzo, who plays Mark, says.
“We’re creating everything live on stage, and plenty of thought, detail and some wonderfully weird ideas have gone into making each effect feel as authentic as possible.
“It is incredibly exciting and completely different from anything I have ever done before,” he adds.
“Being part of this production is a real privilege and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it with us.”
Thea Costa, who plays Fran, says that rehearsals have been as unconventional as the production itself.
“Apart from the usual character work, we have a whole other world to explore when attempting to create the soundscape live,” she explains.
“Rehearsals are a mix of research, experimentation and having a laugh over failed attempts.”
The show’s time-travelling premise adds further layers to the actors’ work. Yet in spite of the unpredictable settings, Costa notes that the emotional journey remains grounded.
“It’s incredibly exciting and completely different from anything I have ever done before”
“Despite the time travelling, the story is nonetheless quite linear, so you get to really see how the characters change both independently and within the relationship,” she says. “I think my favourite time period would have to be Ancient Rome. The soundscapes and props are… interesting!”
While Shaun and Thea anchor the story as Mark and Fran, Myron Ellul and Maya Micallef Engerer take on the responsibility of playing multiple characters while simultaneously creating the integral soundscape.
“It’s mainly a balancing act to keep every voice honest,” Ellul admits. “You anchor each character with a physical and vocal trigger, and once that’s locked in, you’re free to play.”
“Throw in the foley and sound design and suddenly I’m the greediest kid in the sandbox,” he quips. “The reward is when the room forgets it’s just a handful of people on that stage.”
For Micallef Engerer, the technical side of the performance deepens her connection to the story.
“Creating live foley and music means building the world and emotion of the piece in real time,” she says.
“Performing on the sound design side, while voicing multiple roles, has made me more actively connected to both the story and the audience’s immediate experience of it.”
The show’s standout premiere at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe has only heightened anticipation for its Maltese run.
“The show’s success at the Fringe is no surprise,” Rizzo notes. “But it definitely does add that extra layer of pressure as we all want to do it justice.”
He believes the story’s universal appeal is what made it resonate so strongly with audiences and critics alike.
“It’s such a funny, heartwarming script, rooted in something very relatable, the idea of going back in time and fixing a relationship or changing a moment in our lives. I think most of us would jump at that opportunity.”
To those who may never have experienced live radio-style theatre, Costa offers simple reassurance: “Although Suspicious Minds is unlike ordinary theatre, I am confident audiences will enjoy the novelty, engage with the characters’ emotions and ultimately have a blast and a very good laugh!”
MADC’s production of Suspicious Minds performs at the MADC Playhouse, Santa Venera, on April 17-19 and 24-26, with all performances at 8pm. After the performance on April 24, there will be a Q&A with the play’s author, Tom Fowler. This production is suitable for audiences aged 16 and over. Tickets are available at www.madc.com.mt.