DnA Theatre Productions and FM Productions are very well known for producing high-quality work. And now they have got together to present David Tristram’s comedy thriller Ghost Writer from this weekend.
Working at St James is always a challenge because there is nowhere to hide
After the last-night party of a production of Hamlet, actress Ruby Pinfold is found dead of an overdose in bed. Her husband Edward remains deeply affected.
Unable to face the emotional torment of living in the house he shared with Ruby, he has moved in with one of his oldest actor friends, Alex.
The play commences on the first anniversary of Ruby’s death. May she rest in peace. Will she?
The cast for this comedy thriller consists of Alan Montanaro, Edward Mercieca, Denise Mulholland, Marika Fenech, Taryn Butler and Stefan Farrugia.
This show marks the return to the stage of Marika Mercieca after a number of years and the debut of Taryn Butler on the Maltese stage after 20 years of experience in theatre arts in the UK.
Ms Mercieca is enjoying rehearsals very much, although remembering lines after such a long time of not being onstage is the biggest challenge for her. Ms Butler, whose character Glenda gets very drunk in the course of the play, says she is having enormous fun playing this character.
The play is directed by Polly March, who reveals that rehearsals so far have been a hoot.
“The Mercieca/Montanaro combo is always good for a laugh,” she says. “And working with Marika Fenech playing a bitchy diva and Taryn Butler as a rather shy actress – both a first for me – has been a really enlivening experience.
“Stefan Farrugia is gorgeous as Alex, the gay best friend of Edward the playwright (played by Montanaro). Denise Mulholland is having great fun as Ruby, the late wife of Edward. And Edward Mercieca is hilarious as Hedley, an actor of the old school in a truly appalling wig.”
Both Mr Montanaro and Mr Mercieca are delighted that they are working together again. “However, they both say that it is rather difficult keeping a straight face during rehearsals, and they hope that they manage to do so during their performances at St James!”
“Working at St James is always a challenge because there is nowhere to hide,” says Mr Mantanaro. “You’re practically sitting in the audience’s lap. But with this particular play I think the biggest challenge is going to be for me to keep a straight face.
“There are a couple of instances in the script that get me every time. Without fail.”
This is the fourth time that Mr Montanaro and Ms Mulholland will be playing a dysfunctional married couple on stage. “I play a ghost in the play and only Alan’s character can see and hear me,” explains Ms Mulholland. “So I have the most fun annoying people by standing very close to them, blowing in their ear, lifting up their hair (if they have any) and generally being a nuisance safe in the knowledge that they can’t respond.
“This play is a true ‘screwball’ comedy with lots of fast one-liners, and the patter has to be slick and well-timed.
“If you are looking for a great night out, the chance to relax and enjoy a good guffaw, Ghost Writer is definitely the show to book your tickets for.”
• Ghost Writer, which is rated 16, is being performed at St James Cavalier on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and May 18-20, 25, 27 (no performance on May 26).