As the MADC returns to San Anton Gardens for its annual Shakespeare appointment, Jo Caruana chats to Scottish actor Jonathan Dunn about his decision to move to Malta and his role in this fast-paced production.

Shakespeare’s words still have such a way with people. We quote him and read him, and – centuries after they were first performed – still enjoy every moment of his incredible plays being performed on stage.

Scottish actor Jonathan Dunn easily understands the affinity that so many people still feel with the Bard. He himself is drawn to Shakespeare’s work because of the playwright’s ability to make audiences experience the rawest of human emotions though his glorious texts. “That, in itself, is a joy to play,” the actor says.

Dunn is thrilled to be joining the cast of the Malta Amateur Drama­tics Club’s annual Shakespeare as they return to San Anton Gardens for this year’s retelling of The Taming of the Shrew. He believes the production will give audiences a refreshing look at a Shakespearean classic – one that the club has actually produced previously in 1972, 1989 and 2005.

“From our stage design to our costumes, it’s going to have a really different feel this year. The production is beginning to come together beautifully – more so when we all learn our lines! Under director Polly March’s wonderfully-skillful eye, a diverse group of actors is creating something really special. It’s great to be a part of it,” he says.

As always, ‘the Shrew’ will open as student Lucentio arrives in Padua. Immediately he learns that the merchant Baptista has two daughters – but that the younger, prettier daughter, Bianca, cannot be married before her strong-willed sister, Katherina.

I am enjoying exploring his varied layers and going to places where I’ve never had to go with a performance before

“On seeing Bianca, Lucentio falls in love with her and switches identities with his servant Tranio,” Dunn explains, talking through the plot. “Bianca already has two suitors, but doesn’t like either of them. Thus, the elderly Gremio hires Lucentio, disguised as a Latin tutor, to woo Bianca on his behalf, while Hortensio disguises himself as a musician to get access to her. It all develops from there – and there’s no denying the magic in this story.”

Dunn himself will be taking on the lively role of Petruchio. “He actually embodies everything that is alien to me as a person, especially when it comes to his miso­gynistic streak! I am enjoying exploring his varied layers and going to places where I’ve never had to go with a performance before. It has been such a fulfilling experience so far.

Dunn came to Malta for three months in 2014 to teach English at a language school. Three years later he is still here, now living with his Maltese partner and Maltese dog, in a Maltese house.

Dunn trained as an actor in his hometown of Glasgow, Scotland, before working in the UK and the US for a number of years in both theatre and radio. His largest professional exposure came in 2010-11 when he took on an actor’s resi­dency at the well-known Citizen’s Theatre in Glasgow, which is one of the oldest producing theatres in the UK.

“I then came to Malta for three months in 2014 to teach English at a language school, which was a welcome break from the trappings of my career as a working actor,” he says. “Three years later I am still here! Now living with my Maltese partner and Maltese dog, in a Maltese house. Needless to say, I am so happy to still be here.”

This will be Dunn’s latest local production, after recent highlights including the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and White Liars/Black Comedy, both also produced by the MADC. He is eagerly looking forward to this particular play and to retelling one of his favourite of Shakespeare’s masterpieces.

“The Bard was the master of taking human emotions, relatable to all, and putting them on a stage for us all to enjoy. Our human story – the ups and downs, dramas and tragedies, tantrums and toils… there’s a little bit of Shakespeare in all of our lives. His ability to make us identify with the human story of his characters, across the generations and centuries, is quite unique – it’s something to be nurtured. I have no doubt that audiences will enjoy it in The Taming of the Shrew,” Dunn adds.

The Taming of the Shrew takes place from July 14 to 23 July at San Anton Gardens, Attard. Tickets are available online.

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