For raucous laughter and deeply buried truths, Jo Caruana looks towards the MADC’s hilarious production of Secret BridesmaidsBusiness, which opens next weekend.
If we suspected it would hurt us, would we really want to know the truth? I mean really know – down to the gory details?
Most prenuptial experiences are packed full of highs, lows and stereotypes – and this one is certainly no different
Personally I’m not sure, and I think most of us walk that delicate line between the theses that ‘knowledge is power’ and ‘ignorance is bliss’. Nevertheless, there are times when the choice between the two is taken out of our hands and placed firmly in the care of those around us – family members, colleagues, superiors and, crucially, friends.
And that is exactly the dilemma that presents itself in upcoming play Secret Bridesmaids Business, which is written by Australian Elizabeth Coleman and directed by Chiara Hyzler.
“When the Malta Amateur Dramatics Club approached me to direct this show, I jumped at the chance,” says Hyzler, who previously won the club’s Best Director award at the One-Act Play Festival, and was also one of the four directors of DNA Theatre’s Even More Four Play.
“Given the fact that most of my friends are now getting married or walking up the aisle in supporting roles as bridesmaids, I thought it was all very relevant – especially as I was hooked as soon as I read the script. I think it will go down brilliantly with all sorts of audiences.”
The play is all about good, girly fun – with a shocking twist or two thrown in to keep viewers on the edge of their seats throughout.
It starts on the evening before Meg’s (played by Cathy Lawlor) wedding to James (David Ellul), the wedding she has been planning since she was just a little girl – and the wedding she wasn’t sure she would ever have.
“I don’t want to give away too much, but I will say that we pack in a lot of pre-wedding drama!” Hyzler grins. “Most of it centres around bridesmaids Lucy and Angela, who need to investigate a rumour that has the potential to stop proceedings dead in their tracks.
“It poses questions about how much we really want to know about what goes on around us, and how open we would be to hearing the truth from our friends, as well as how easy it is to tell people things they most certainly do not want to hear.
“For a comedy, it is surprisingly challenging. You go into it thinking you know what you would do should you be their position – but sometimes it’s not that cut and dry. Having delved into the script again and again, I know I am now more confused than ever about what I would do!”
Hyzler has put together a talented cast of seven – six women and one man – to play the medley of comic characters. Together, the team has nit-picked through the text and unearthed its many delightful nuances.
“I like to think of myself as a very open director,” she says. “Through the rehearsal process we have discussed the script in detail and worked through the main objectives behind it. I challenge, prod and poke the actors until I believe they know their characters inside out and can bring new viewpoints to it that I may have missed in the process. This makes for a more complete product in the end.”
The good news is that this product is set to have its audiences rolling in the aisles, with quips that will effortlessly bring to life the frenetic hours that precede any wedding. From the highly strung emotions of mother-of-the-bride, to the drink-fuelled antics of the taffeta-clad bridesmaids, most prenuptial experiences are packed full of highs, lows and stereotypes – and this one is certainly no different.
“It’s definitely right on the nose with regard to recreating the feelings before that big day,” Hyzler grins, recollecting her own experiences as a bridesmaid. “There are flashes of madness when everything looks set to go wrong, and then there are poignant moments that make everything worthwhile and magical. Yes magical – and there’s certainly a lot of that when it comes to this show!”
Secret Bridesmaid Business also features Vanessa McDonald, Kate de Cesare, Nicola Abela Garret, Elektra Anastasi and Antonella Mifsud. It will be staged at St James Cavalier from May 10 to 12, 17 to 19, and 24 to 26. Tickets are available online or by calling 2122 3200.
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