Actor Bryan Jennings (top) and fellow American actors Whitney Ellis, Ashley Allen and Jeffrey Kieviet are the protagonists of Collapse. Photo: Will Blakely

Artistic projects are often held close to the heart but, for American actor Bryan Jennings, returning to Malta to take part in a local production after a 10-year hiatus from the island really does mean the world.

“I am so excited to be back,” Jennings says, referring to his role in Adrian Buckle’s new play Collapse, which opens at Spazju Kreattiv this weekend. “I was last here in 2008 when I took part in Blasted, which was also produced by Buckle. It feels like going full circle.”

Thus, the opportunity to work in Malta again proved to be quite a draw when Buckle, who is renowned for his production work as the founder of Unifaun Theatre, approached him a while also.

“Collapse is a world premiere and that is absolutely wonderful. Director Dave Barton (who also directed Blasted 10 years ago), the rest of the cast and I have helped to develop the show in the year since we started working on it. That’s been very exciting because, usually, the scripts we work on are done and dusted before we get started, so this was an entirely different process and it’s been very rewarding. Now I am very curious to see how it will be received.”

Jennings says that the script of Collapse has changed quite a lot since the team first read it together and that it will now take the audience on a “real ride”.

“I don’t know if I have a favourite part of it per se but the opportunity to play several characters is not something I have done before and I have enjoyed the challenge of that. Creating completely different personas has been fun.”

I think audiences may well see things they have never seen before. This is a play that will make you think

Set in a dystopian future under siege, Collapse begins on the chaotic and violent streets of an unnamed city, with armed soldiers raping and killing at whim. There, a young woman named Greta lives together with her damaged boyfriend Robbie, who is not allowed outside for the sake of his safety.

“Together the lovers have created a bulletproof bubble around themselves, full of stories and fairy tales and oblivious to the trouble outside,” Jennings explains. “That is, until Stella comes to visit, at which point Greta and Robbie’s world is turned upside down.”

Asked about whether he has found the play challenging, the actor says he does not want to give anything away but adds that making choices as a performer is always a challenge.

“Famous acting teacher Stella Adler used to say ‘the talent is in the choice’ which I think is true. This script demands a lot from you and can be interpreted in many ways when you first read it, so making choices hasn’t always been easy. Thankfully, great directing by Barton and having the cast we have has really helped me.”

Meanwhile, Jennings is thrilled to be contributing to Maltese theatre again, especially during the island’s role as European Capital of Culture.

“I often see Buckle’s social media posts from California and like following what the Maltese scene is up to. I am blown away by the amount of activity that takes place here; it’s fantastic.”

Now, he’s looking forward to being part of that himself.

“As I said before, it’s a real ride of a performance. I think audiences may well see things they have never seen before. This is a play that will make you think, so anyone who likes a bit of a mystery should buy their ticket now.”

Collapse will run at St James Cavalier, Valletta, on Saturday, Sunday, February 23-25 and March 2, 3, 4 at 8pm. Tickets are available at www.kreattivita.org/event/collapse/ .