Gżira pageant

Carmen Mercieca (March 24) has brought to me very nice memories, being one of the many actors and helpers who participated in the very first performance of the pageant back in the 1980s at the Gżira parish church. In one particular year we were invited to perform at the parish church of St Julians.

Ms Mercieca saluted Albert Rizzo, who played the part of Barabbas back then. I take this occasion to also salute Charles Il-baħri (Peter) and Joe Mamo (Caiaphas), persons who were instrumental through their participation and who passed away many years ago. I pay tribute and salute other members whose name and role I cannot recall.

I cannot forget the numerous rehearsals prior to the first performance. Joe Borg was our main director and also played the part of Judas. He was (and I guess still is) a perfectionist and I can still see his temper flare for those few moments when many young actors, including the undersigned, persisted in the distractions during a delicate scene. In one particular year, I rehearsed the part of Jesus for many weeks because the actor (a certain Noel) was not certain of his participation. That was a challenge.

Few if any of the persons playing the part of the apostles had any natural beard. So on the days of the performance, a certain Ninu (make-up artist and Pontius Pilate) used to glue artificial hair to our jaws from early afternoon. Those long hours waiting for the evening performance to start with the artificial beard causing so much itching were a good test for our patience and dedication to the event.

Those were fantastic days.