‘Get Your Act Together’ is the first script-writers’ mentoring project to take place in Malta. Ramona Depares interviews Gianni Selvaggi, one of the finalists for this year’s edition, ahead of the next reading of his script.

Gianni Selvaggi. Photo: Julian Vassallo

A first of its kind for Malta, ‘Get Your Act Together’ is a two-year project spearheaded by More or Less Theatre that kicked off during March of last year with the aim to give two playwrights mentorship and funds to create a theatrical script in both English and Maltese.

The first part of the project saw hopefuls attend a full-day workshop by Italian actor and director Domenico Castaldo. Applicants were then asked to submit their script ideas.

The finalists were Gianni Selvaggi with a one-man talk dealing with cancer in men, addiction and mental health; and Lizzie Eldridge, with a script about common space and conflict between island communities and urbanisation, suicide and sexual abuse.

Both playwrights finished a first draft that was read during Science in the City 2017 in September. The scripts have since been further refined according to feedback received from audiences and mentors, and the next version will be read next week in Valletta.

I caught up with Gianni, one of the script-writers, to find out more about this project and to learn at what stage it is in.

Can you explain the idea behind ‘Get Your Act Together’?

The idea behind ‘Get Your Act Together’ (GYAT) is to provide a platform for aspiring writers to pen their own original work, put said work under the guidance of international moderators and help push the script from conception to actually see it come alive on stage.

GYAT has been a great opportunity to finally put my thoughts for this type of show on paper. As a performer, I’m always looking for new ways to funnel my energy through the right channels, and this has definitely been one of them.

When did the project start?

I applied for the project in March 2017 and after several interviews with the moderators and producers, my idea was chosen in April. I began the process of research and follow-ups shortly after.

Can you run us through the creative process to draft your script?

I’ve held one-to-one interviews and attended sessions shadowing experts in their respective fields, in order to get a better understanding of the topics that this piece deals with.

Like every other journey that one goes through when creating, one is bound to run into challenges along the way. One of the main tests I had to face early on was “How do I keep it from being boring?” A single performer, with the exception of some very small pre-recorded parts, is performing it, so it’s vital to keep the text “alive” and easy to listen to.

Another thing that I have always kept in mind from day one is to maintain a balance between the storytelling and the level of respect that the topics at hand deserve... all the while keeping the piece light-hearted and thought provoking.

How did you see the script change throughout this time?

I’m currently wrapping up the second draft of the script and it has certainly come a long way from just bullet points. The feedback I’ve received from the producer, mentor and also the audience participating in the public reading at Science in the City has been so helpful.

What made you decide to tie in the monologue to health issues?

The project’s theme that was presented to the applicants was Island Stories and I wanted to approach it in a less conventional manner. So, I considered tackling topics that we as a population tend to shy away from, stigmatise or not talk about enough: Cancer in Men and Mental Health. As human beings we seem to lack the confidence to ask for help. I also wanted to somehow find the comedy in what people might see as tragedy. Such situations are very difficult to face, coping mechanisms vary from one person to the next… and humour is the protagonist’s attempt to overcome battles.

What were the biggest challenges in bringing the whole thing together?

This is my third script, the other two shows were co-written in 2017... one with a fellow actor in the local scene in January and the other being a musical co-written with a UK production company, Leggy Blonde Productions, which we performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last summer.

This is the first time that I’m the sole writer, which is a lot scarier, but also very fulfilling as it pushes me to be a bit bolder with certain decisions.

It’s crazy how a simple idea can evolve with the right backing from people who are equally as passionate about the work as you are.

Do you feel that the project has changed your approach to theatre and script writing? In what way?

Many a time, performers are expected to be given something and just create. It’s a little different when you’re sitting down at a desk with all your research in front of you and about to write a scene. I tend to give myself more time to really explore what the text is trying to say. It’s something I try to apply in my approach as a performer and really break down a script as much as possible.

What are the biggest challenges in performing this kind of one-man show?

Besides learning loads of text and stage directions, I would say that one of the biggest challenges is to maintain the honesty in the delivery. Having the chance to step out of your comfort zone and into someone else’s shoes to tell a story is the hardest yet most rewarding thing for a performer.

How do you think that a programme like ‘Get Your Act Together’ is helpful to aspiring script writers?

Any programmes that can help aspiring artists to develop their craft, be it scriptwriting or performance, are crucial to further educate the theatre community in Malta. We need to keep pushing each other from strength to strength. I think this project is definitely doing all it can to facilitate that. I’m humbled to be part of it.

‘Get Your Act Together’ presented the second reading of Gianni Selvaggi’s play during Bright Club meets Theatre at the British Legion, Valletta, yesterday. The project is supported by the Malta Arts Fund within Arts Council Malta, together with the Valletta 2018 Foundation. For more information, visit the Facebook page @GYATMalta.