The vision for Masquerade Malta was very clear from the start.

“It all started 21 years ago,” Anthony Bezzina says. “Even though at the time, I was doing something completely different, my thoughts always revolved around theatre.

Anthony Bezzina

“Back then, most people considered theatre as a bit of fun, rather than a valuable profession. I wanted to do my penny’s worth to change this and give Malta a taste of what professional theatre can feel like,” he says.

“It was within this context that Masquerade Theatre Company was born.

“Within six months, we had created a syllabus and a prospectus and issued a call for students. At the same time, we had also staged the first children’s opera at the Manoel Theatre – at the time, this was considered as very innovative.”

“Parents were keen to enrol their children. This was also pushed by the fact that we provided youngsters with opportunities to take part in quality productions,” Bezzina adds.

Two decades later, Masquerade has achieved massive growth.

“In my first interview, I had said that within 10 years, we would have our own students furthering their studies and training abroad,” Bezzina says.

“Two decades later, Masquerade has its own building, M Space, which includes 15 studios and our own theatre space, Blue Box. Over the years, we have also initiated graded drama exams and diplomas through Guildhall, now Trinity College London. Moreover, we have a history of nearly 100 solid productions in different genres, from musicals and pantomimes to classical plays and comedies.

“It is this history that will propel us into the next 20 years through the creation of a foundation for the arts run by the same students who invested their time in this arts company. My wish is to also have better synergy with other theatre schools and companies.”

Anthony Bezzina is artistic director of Masquerade Theatre Company and principal of Masquerade School for Performing Arts.

(Content provided by Masquerade Malta)