US actor Whitney Ellis and Jeffrey Kieviet. Photo: Will BlakelyAdrian Buckle’s new play, Collapse, premieres tonight.
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 bullet-proof bubble around themselves, full of stories and fairy tales, and oblivious to the trouble outside. That is, until Stella comes to visit, at which point Greta and Robbie’s world is turned upside down.
Collapse stars an all-American cast made up of Bryan Jennings, Whitney Ellis, Ashley Allen and Jeffrey Kieviet and is being directed by Dave Barton, who also flew to Malta from California especially to spearhead the piece.
Barton describes the play as a very black comedy with laugh-out-loud moments that prove Buckle’s talent for comedy.
“I admire the worlds he’s created, love the characters and appreciate the fantasy elements. Working on it in the States, its political, feminist take on relationships feels right at home with the recent Women’s March and #MeToo. I can’t say much more than that, because too many plot details would spoil the surprises.”
Buckle, meanwhile, is very proud of the piece and hopes audiences will enjoy its thought-provoking storyline and approach.
“I am certainly very excited to be bringing this new play to fruition. This script has been a long time in the making and I believe it is my most developed piece to date.”
This project is supported by the Malta Arts Fund Project Strand.
Collapse will be staged at St James Cavaliver, Valletta, today, tomorrow, on February 23, 24 and 25 and March 2, 3 and 4. For tickets, visit www.kreattivita.org or call 2122 3200.