THE TALENT TO PERFORM

Originally created in 1979 as the Manoel Theatre Academy of Dramatic Art (MTADA), the Malta Drama Centre’s list of graduates sparkles with some of our most acclaimed actors. Its first director was Adrian Rendle, of London’s Theatre Royal Stage Sixty fame. Primarily the Centre is an exciting laboratory for the development of stage talent. The idea of creative entertainment is supremely important, however the Centre has other vital objectives, including sharp critical awareness and community commitment.

At an advanced stage students become conscious that theatre can offer an alternative method leading not only to growth and change in individuals and small groups of people but it can even get through to marginalized or vulnerable social groups.

Mario Azzopardi, the principal, explains this function: "The Drama Centre has a multi-vision outlook and we don’t focus solely on the entertainment value. Rather we view theatre as an act which can provoke an audience into realizing its identity in a local and European context. This is why we consider community theatre to be important, as it can generate social renewal."

In 1994 The Malta Drama Centre moved into purpose-built facilities in Blata l-Bajda, with studios and all the other trappings the theatrical arts require and was named after Mikelang Borg, an energetic actor-impresario who founded L’Indipendenza way back in 1884 and invented the local vaudeville in the vernacular. Today the Centre operates under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, within the Education Division’s Lifelong Learning Programme.

Recently the Centre has changed its physiognomy in a three-pronged manner. Firstly, many new courses have been introduced, ranging from ballet, contemporary and ethnic dance to musical theatre, community drama and costume design and production. The idea was to transform the Centre into a training facility for the performing arts.

Secondly, the Centre seeks to contextualize its work within a European framework, specifically to compare its product with what’s happening on the continent. Students regularly take part in festivals abroad and the Centre often features as a leading instigator in projects dealing with community issues, including domestic violence, drug-taking, health issues related to electro-magnetic antennas and other environmental concerns.

Finally the Centre has set itself the task of preparing students for professional certification from foreign institutions. Accreditation is obtained from the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), the London Academy of Dramatic Art (LAMDA), the Teachers of Dance Association (TDA-UK) and the Alianza Flamenca of South Africa. Students’ results have been terrific, with the LADMA diploma distinction rate shooting up to 92 % last year. The current year has attracted close to 500 students for junior, intermediate and senior grades and the list of local and foreign tutors includes names such as Albert Marshall, Lino Farrugia, Stefan Cachia Zammit, John Williams, Marvic Doughty, Svetlana Silina Floriani, Abigail Brown, Dorothy Singh, Tiziana Nasser and Holly Harbour, who has embarked on Personality Development through Drama.

The Centre also teems up with institutions like the Manoel Theatre on reworkings of repertory productions, both classic and contemporary. For 2011 it will stage a co-productiuon of Tennessee Williams’ The Rose Tattoo, backed by the American Center.

Asked about what ideally he would like to see happening with the Centre’s graduates, Azzopardi gives an array of options. "We obvioulsy would like them to practice their respective discipline, but much is going to waste. A good number get involved in TV drama, but teleserials rarely do them justice. Some are engaged with private theatre formations and others have even set up their own successful troupes. This is all well and good, however the country can utilise them more effectively, for instance tourism schemes in social animation initiatives. This is where the Local Councils can come in. Then, there’s always the dream that Malta will have its own National Drama Company to showcase the best talent the Centre produces."

ENDS.