Bla Kondixin has already had two successful weekends and is ready to wow this week too. Jo Caruana gets ready to laugh heartily at the very best of local comedy talent.
There is no doubt that Bla Kondixin promises a very Maltese night out. The giggles feel local while the laugh-out-louds are topical, political and with the perfect touch of tongue-in-cheek humour that we love so much.
Having already created quite a splash, the show promises to wow crowds at Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University of Malta this weekend too and audiences are rightfully queuing up for tickets.
Stirred by current affairs, the team were this year inspired by experts’ views that the world may well end soon – so they have crafted a script that helps to save humankind before it reaches extinction. After much deliberation, those involved have decided to save the people who would pick up the pieces after the mayhem is over, including, Chris X. Grech (who presents the show), Salvu l-Lajburist (Paul Portelli), Ċikku l-Pakkett (Snits), Lucy Ciaccattolo (Tanya Scicluna) and little Anġolina (Leigh-Anne Abela).
Ms Abela, who currently lives in the UK, recently graduated from London’s prestigious East 15 performing arts school. She returned to Malta to take part in Bla Kondixin and has been heavily involved in its development.
“My course was extremely rigorous and provided me with plenty of theoretical groundwork that now supports my practical theatre endeavours,” she explains. “Additionally, in terms of comedy, the course introduced me to all sorts of styles including physical, impromptu and commedia dell’arte.”
When it comes to local stand-up comedy, such as Bla Kondixin, Ms Abela explains that culture plays a major role.
“Every country has its own method of perceiving what is comical, according to its own traditions, lifestyle and politics,” she says.
“In the case of Bla Kondixin, where I was co-author, the intention was to present the audience with a wide range of comical styles: from a witty play on words and the allusions to Maltese foibles, to hilarious slapstick. The challenge lies in knowing what you want to say and then devising it in a way that appeals to a wholly local audience.”
One of the paramount elements of Bla Kondixin is the fresh new content that is presented year after year. The team strives to come up with ideas that are current, fresh and consistently innovative. In fact, each season the content is crafted through a collaborative process that involves the cast, crew and band. The team pools their ideas – some of which are too ingenious to ever make the final cut – and then works to make each of the chosen options a viable reality. “We put our heads together and come up with the best options for the show,” continues Ms Abela, who is enjoying her role as the seven-year-old daughter of an as-yet unnamed minister. “This year I brainstormed all sorts of things with Michael Fenech, who is directing the festival.
“It is an ongoing process that requires a lot of updating throughout, especially as we cannot resist including the latest and most amusing news stories into our routines. There are lots of wonderful new characters for audiences to meet this year, as well as numerous old favourites. There’s something in it for everyone to laugh at!”
• The remaining performances of Bla Kondixin will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8 p.m. An extra matinee show will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from St James Cavalier by phone on 2122 3200, e-mail: boxoffice@sjcav.org or online: www.sjcav.org. For further information visit www.blakondixin.com.