String V SPITTA, the five-star musical comedy that has sold out London’s Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe, transfers to Theatre Next Door in May. Co-writers and stars Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Ed MacArthur chat to Laura Bonnici about rivalry, rap and the show’s Malta debut.
“Anarchic, joyful and irreverent” is how Ed MacArthur describes String V SPITTA – and many UK theatre critics agree.
After sell-out runs at London’s Soho Theatre and the Edinburgh Fringe – and five-star reviews from the likes of The Independent and West End Best Friend – the musical comedy hit makes its Malta debut at Theatre Next Door for one weekend only on May 9 and 10.
Co-written and performed by MacArthur (Ted Lasso) and Kiell Smith-Bynoe (Taskmaster and BBC’s Ghosts), the show pitches two rival children’s entertainers – a classically trained West London virtuoso and an East London grime MC – against each other at a Russian oligarch’s daughter’s sixth birthday party. What follows is a late-night kids’ party for adults, complete with freestyle rap battles, live music and magic tricks.
For MacArthur, a multi-instrumentalist comedian, the children’s entertainer premise has roots in the real world.
“I used to pay the bills telling stories and performing classical music to toddlers, and occasionally babies – which was as weird as it sounds,” he says. “Like my character, I was secretly more interested in compliance and discipline than I was in making sure the kids had a nice time.”
Smith-Bynoe’s route to MC SPITTA is as true to form as MacArthur’s was to Sylvester ‘Silly’ String.
“I was a grime MC before I got into acting. There’s a dangerous amount of me in SPITTA, especially as to what inspired his chaotic nature,” he says.
“We improvise scenes in character, trying to make each other laugh”
The creative process is controlled chaos, overseen by director George Chilcott.
“We improvise scenes in character, trying to make each other laugh, and then hope that George has written any good bits down,” MacArthur explains.
His favourite moment in rehearsals came the first time he handed Smith-Bynoe a song idea, back in 2017.
“His rap was so witty and written so speedily that I wondered if he might be a druid. I can now confirm that he’s not – more of a clairvoyant or bard.”
Smith-Bynoe’s television CV includes Ghosts and Taskmaster, but the live stage format keeps pulling him back.
“TV is nice – you get extra takes if you make mistakes, a comfy trailer, lots of snacks. Live shows? Minimal snacks and no safety net if it goes wrong. It’s just you and a room full of people silently judging your life choices. But the one-time nature of it is addictive and no show is the same – that’s why I’m hooked.”
Bringing a live show of this calibre to Malta is something of a coup. Presented by Finesse Events under producer Jo Caruana, smaller international productions such as these seldom make the trip to the island – and Smith-Bynoe shares his excitement at returning, having visited before. “I’m pumped!” he says. “Have you googled Malta? It’s amazing.”
For local performers of all levels, there is an additional treat in store. On May 10 at Theatre Next Door, Smith-Bynoe, MacArthur and Chilcott will lead an improvisation and characterisation workshop that draws directly from the show’s creative process.
“The nonsense, the chaos, the character dynamic and the songs travel well,” Smith-Bynoe says. “But the odd bit of East London dialogue might go over Maltese heads, so let’s just say I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve to get around this.” A beat. “I’ve not got any surprises up my sleeve. That was a lie. I’d better get some surprises together ASAP. And some sleeves.”
Adding a note-to-self to return Smith-Bynoe’s nail clippers, MacArthur sums up the spirit of the show. “It’s a mad mash-up, but it works.”
String V SPITTA performs at Theatre Next Door, Triq il-Kappella ta’ Santa Marija, Magħtab, on May 9 at 7.30pm and 9.30pm, and on May 10 at 7.30pm. Due to strong language, this production is suitable for audiences aged 16 and over. Limited tickets remaining at www.fmt.com.mt/tnd. Workshop places are strictly limited – advance booking is essential by contacting Jo Caruana on 9946 2273.
