After successfully completing four expressive theatre master classes, a group of Maltese actors and dancers were awarded a diploma in expressive theatre by The Mime Centre of Helsinki, Finland.

Organised by St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, the master classes were conducted by world-renowned mime artists Adam Darius and Kazmir Kolesnik and held in the spacious studios of Brigitte Gauci Borda School of Ballet, in Sliema.

The four expressive theatre master classes mainly targeted actors and actresses with a real passion for theatre.

Mr Darius, who performed in over 75 countries, and Mr Kolesnik, whose works of choreography include the famous Verlaine and Towel Of Babel, approached each session as if it were a performance.

Mr Darius' sessions mainly dealt with expressive mime. Students learned the method of expressing thought and feeling through the entire body, thus preparing themselves for a total approach to physical theatre.

Mr Kolesnik taught elements of the art of illusionary mime. Students learnt the basics of the Kolesnik method of illusionary depiction of action and event through the precise definition of gesture, providing a basis for physical comedy.

During the classes, the students were challenged to explore, acquire technique and cultivate creativity. They learnt how to express their thoughts or emotions in their own individual style. Voice production was also taught and students learnt how to extend the dramatic flexibility of their voice for text and choric chants.

Michael Fenech, chairman of St James Cavalier said: "These workshops attest to an aspect of the performing arts that is often ignored: the meticulous preparation that goes before any event can be successfully presented to an audience. Those who attended these workshops have seen for themselves that the creative effort needs both technique and commitment".

At the same time, St James Cavalier also organised a five-day workshop with lighting designer and choreographer Thomas Freundlich for another group of Maltese students. At the centre's own theatre-in-the-round, they explored theatre lighting that moves beyond traditional cue-based design into realms of dramatic expressiveness and organic musicality. Subjects covered in the workshops included basic elements of theatre lighting, such as light direction, colour, beam types and visual focus. Students learnt how to make creative choices, thus creating expressive lighting solutions that provide atmosphere and focus while supporting the underlying dramatic intention of the piece.

Both courses were partly sponsored by Lufthansa Airline and Le Meridien Phoenicia and were part of the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts' summer cultural activities series, sponsored by HSBC Bank Malta plc.