Fishnet tights, sequin pants and feather boas… and that’s just the men. Alan Montanaro and Denise Mulholland divulge some secrets about the upcoming show Even More Fourplay with Veronica Stivala.
The recent public transport reform has, to put it diplomatically, been so eventful, that it makes delicious fodder for the idea-preying comedian.
When dealing with people like Defsa and the bus driver, politics and religion have a way of infiltrating
But writer and director Denise Mulholland closely guards her comedic catch, revealing only that “there may be something about (transport service organisation) Arriva” in the latest production of the show called Even More Fourplay.
Composed of a series of 16 sketches, the farcical Even More Fourplay pokes fun at all things, mostly local. As the double entendre of the title suggests, Even More Fourplay is written by four writers, directed by four directors and acted by… you get the gist.
Now in its third edition, the show has played to full houses of empty seats (the audience fell off its seats laughing).
Cue laughter.
(Silence.)
Worried that more attempted jokes will ensue by this writer, Mulholland concedes to divulge that the Bus Driver (Alan Paris) will be reappearing.
In the previous edition of Fourplay, the dishevelled, rough-around-the-edges and round-around-the-tummy driver re- counted his many stories during a bus strike. This time, the driver is struggling with the new uniform and the new rules. So much has happened in his life in the past couple of years that he’s got plenty to talk about.
“He’s finding it difficult to adapt to the new powers-that-be and with adapting to people telling him what to do. He misses his old yellow bus very much,” says Mulholland.
Theatre group DnA are bringing back some of the most popular characters from last time through new sketches. Although initial prodding leaves Mulholland’s lips tightly sealed, the threat of more jokes forces her to reveal that there will be reappearances of characters such as the columnist Defsa Garuana Malizia “notorious for her poison pen and biting wit”, and the supermarket girl who is now working for a famous struggling Maltese company.
How do the writers know that what they’ve written is going to tickle people’s funny bone?
“We are our own litmus test,” explains Mulholland. “If we find it funny, then others will find it funny. We’re quite brutal about it and if we don’t think something is working then we cut it.”
With two successful shows to their credit, DnA know they have a recipe which works. As writer and actor Alan Montanaro puts it:
“The idea was to marry English humour with a bit of Maltese teatrin. We have a show which incorporates song, dance and comedy.”
Even though there is a backbone for the script, it very much alive, points out Montanaro.
This, he says, is the best part of rehearsals: “Although there is a basic framework, the actor works with the script and sometimes even the other directors chip in.”
The four actors all have their fingers on the political pulse. “Somebody like (actress) Louiselle Vassallo really knows what’s going on and her contributions are always very valid,” adds Mulholland.
This prompts one to ask, have the Fourplay team thrown in any taboo topics?
“I don’t want to offend anyone, nor do I want to make any political statements because that is not what Fourplay is about,” answers Montanaro.
He does continue, however: “but when you’re dealing with people like Defsa and the bus driver, politics and religion have a way of infiltrating everything. But the jokes are tame. They’re not intended to offend or shock.”
That said, Mulholland hastens to add that “there were some sketches which got a few raised eyebrows from the cast but not from others”.
It’s a review show, she says. There’s always going to be someone in the audience who reacts strongly to one sketch.
But the intention is to entertain, and with a variety of 16 skits, there’s bound to be something to whet everyone’s appetite. Mulholland was born and raised in Scotland where she trained and worked as an actress and ran her own theatre company.
Does her being foreign allow her to maintain a distanced view of Malta?
“The funniest thing is how much of this I understand,” she replies.
Having lived in Malta for six years, she notes that she does have a slightly one-removed view of the island even though she makes it a point to keep herself up to date with local politics.
“What I bring to it is the level of professionalism I was used to working with in the UK. Because I’m ‘new’, perhaps I can see things a little bit clearer. I have a bit more of an impartial view,” says Mulholland.
Ironically, Mulholland is teaching the actors how to sing in Maltese. More secrets are revealed: there will be a Maltese nostalgic medley featuring songs by the likes of Freddie Portelli.
Asked about how much of the play is inspired by their real lives, Mulholland pines that “I wish my life was like that. I wish it was a Burlesque strip routine.”
Montanaro, a frequent panto dame, is no stranger to picking up quips and improvisation. He explains how all the team incorporates phrases they’ve heard or scenes they’ve witnessed at a wine bar or, for example, what one actress heard at the airport:
“Għaddi qisu tiegħek,” said the man. “Pass, like it’s yours,” say the Fourplay actors.
“We all like a good laugh,” concludes Montanaro. “That’s who the Fourplay people are. We all aspire to make people laugh.”
This year, Even More Fourplay moves to a new venue – Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University in Msida.
The actors performing in Even More Fourplay are Alan Montanaro, Alan Paris, Louiselle Vassallo and Isabel Warrington .
It is directed by Wesley Ellul, Herman Grech, Chiara Hyzler, and Denise Mulholland.
The sketches have been written and developed by Alan Montanaro, James Calvert, Malcolm Galea and Denise Mulholland.
The performances will be held from October 14 to16 and October 21 to 23 at 8 p.m.
Tickets may be bought online from www.ticketline.com.mt or from Cabouxon at Spinola Bay, St Julian’s.
Ticket info line: 9960 4500.