Ernesto and Bianca.

The two title characters of the clown-duo performance Ernesto & Bianca – which runs for the last time today as part of the Nuna Palk theatre season at Teatru Salesjan – were created in Paris in June of 2016.

Two weeks away from their final presentations at the world famous École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq in Paris, the 30 international students were each given a phrase that would serve as an inspiration to their final showcase.

Jacob Piccinino, the Maltese actor following the intensive actor training programme, that produced renowned figures on stage such as Ariane Mnouchkine of Théâtre du Soleil and Simon McBurney of Théâtre de Complicité, was given the phrase J’ai laissé la porte ouverte (I left the door open).

Jacob embarked on an exploration of the character of Ernesto and devised an imaginary performance on Ernesto’s world and challenges inspired by real life obsessions. How can a man ever leave the porch of his house if he’s afraid of leaving it open after he leaves?

After the success of the first performance in Paris, Jacob decided to continue developing the performance for young audiences with French actress Heloise Suire, who played the original Bianca. In October 2017, preparing for the premiere of the work during ŻiguŻajg international festival, they found themselves rehearsing the work in a nun’s convent in Jacob’s hometown of Marsa. Also serving as a retirement home, the convent became their rehearsal space for six weeks with the elderly residents joining in some of the rehearsals, inspiring some of the work and serving as the first audiences.

Ernesto & Bianca is ultimately a love story – two characters who truly need each other but are too afraid to take any further steps. Their story and relationship does not need words, or comprehensible vocabulary, to be understood.

“Heloise is French and I’m Maltese. We both struggle to speak each other’s language and so we decided to invent our own for the performance,” exclaimed Jacob before answering the phone in character.

Wearing red noses, these two characters have no filters for their emotions. When they do try to hide what they are feeling, what follows is a series of comic situations driven by an obsessive attempt to keep up appearances. Although Ernesto’s obsessive behaviour drives people up the wall, Bianca is his ray of hope.

Jacob recently set up his own theatre company with the name of Teatru Triptiku with the aim of developing more work in Malta with international artists in contemporary clowning. His technique and artistry delivered in the energetic performance he delivers with Heloise, is certainly not to be missed.

Jacob and Heloise wear their noses and continue developing their work at Teatru Salesjan as they prepare to welcome school children and families for one weekend. Jabob runs up the theatre aisle with a suitcase in one hand, a duster and spray can in another and brings Ernesto to life. “Moltos grazzis – giolte giorni. Byebye.”

Ernesto & Bianca will be performed for the last time today at 6.30pm at Teatru Salesjan, Sliema.

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