Creating community theatre

Abstract

The ritualistic culture of the Maltese islands is based on events which are 'display-oriented', often having a religious justification. Village festas, Passion week activities, Carnival, pageants religious and secular have for centuries attracted the participation of the community. More recently, colourful historical pageants have been introduced which have drawn the general public to appreciate the architectural and cultural wealth of certain localities, and have created a new tourist attraction. The interest shown for this variety of events, having definite theatrical qualities, is not matched by that shown for the theatre. National surveys have confirmed that theatre in Malta is poorly frequented (MISCO, 1992). Performances at the Manoel Theatre, the main state theatre, are generally attended by a tiny bourgeois minority. Some theatre occurs in the parishes, usually in halls belonging to religious orders, who consider the activity as part of their pastoral work. Indeed, a national survey on theatre in Malta confirms that the aims of parish theatre companies are merely addressed at moral teaching, with youth audiences in mind (Cremona, 1996). Comedy is usually preferred to tragedy as, in the words of one company manager, 'it sells better'. Satirical sketches, or farces, are a firm favourite. Yet all complain about the lack of a public (MISCO, 1992). [Excerpt]