Theatre director Sean Buhagiar has quit the play Ħabbilni ħa nirbaħ just days before opening night, after a heated argument with producer Mario Philip Azzopardi, who is also the artistic director of V18.
Renowned set designer Adrian Mamo had already quit on Monday, following an argument with Mr Azzopardi – who dismantled parts of the set, saying he did not approve of it.
Mr Buhagiar, who has been a partner in Mr Azzopardi’s company Staġun Teatru Malti since its inception, was personally appointed by Mr Azzopardi to the previously unannounced post of V18 vice-artistic director.
The falling-out raises further questions about the artistic direction of the Capital of Culture project, following persistent concerns voiced by prominent members of the artistic community.
“I didn’t quit or abandon the project. I was forced out. There was a decision taken: it was ‘my way or thanks anyway’,” Mr Buhagiar told the Times of Malta yesterday.
Sources close to the production said the argument began when Mr Azzopardi, who only watched a full rehearsal last Sunday, insisted on extensive changes to Mr Buhagiar’s direction, which Mr Buhagiar refused.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to put all the elements of the play together in a way that I believe should be associated with my name, so the show will happen with Mario Philip taking the final decisions. It’s not my show anymore; it was my show until last Tuesday.”
Mr Buhagiar also announced that he would be leaving Staġun Teatru Malti – for whom he also directed the sell-out play Jiena Nħobb, Inti Tħobb – with immediate effect.
When asked whether he would continue in his role as vice-artistic director of V18, he said: “I am not in a position to comment at this time.”
When contacted, Mr Azzopardi said he expected Mr Buhagiar to continue as his assistant on V18, but added that Mr Buhagiar had refused to attend an official V18 meeting following the argument between the two.
Mr Azzopardi denied that he had forced Mr Buhagiar out of the production and said he had threatened to sue him if he left.
“Artistic differences are constant in the theatre,” he said. “Mr Buhagiar is obviously very inexperienced in the way things work. I am surprised and shocked that he would abandon the show at this stage.
“He is not an experienced director. He’s only directed three shows, all of which I gave him,” Mr Azzopardi added of his assistant.
Mr Mamo was shocked by what had happened with him.
“I’ve worked on over 40 productions and this is the first time something like this happened. The play is currently in production week, so it’s impossible to just start afresh. But of course the show must go on,” he said.
Cast members yesterday rallied behind Mr Buhagiar. “We’re absolutely distraught and broken,” one said. “Mario only came to this late and never understood Sean’s vision. We’re doing this for Sean.”