Maltese Theatre in 2020: Possible Scenarios

Onwards and Upwards

Title provided : UVA - Unification, Validation and Awareness

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In this scenario, both government and the private sector are providing more funds for theatre. Theatre is part of the school curriculum from kindergarten to senior school. Education is received also through university full time and part time courses, drama schools, and MCAST.. More specialised theatre courses for particular professions such as : lighting, scenography, writing, directing are also offered. Although each institution retains its own profile, inter-institution courses with a common curriculum and standards exist whereby for example, students obtain theory from university, lighting courses from MCAST, training from drama school etc.

This scenario supposes two parallel structures feeding off each other, one funded by private investment and the other by government. In no way is private funding to substitute government obligations. The two structures can be seen as two concentric circles. The outer concentric circle generates awareness of the theatre through education, which apart from the existing situation described above, is also received through other initiatives where individuals and groups can experiment and win recognition. Among these are :

• a better use of available space which would be put at the service of groups to train, rehearse and stage small productions. Existing spaces, such as parish halls, the former school of Arts etc. are refurbished and used for these purposes
• cooperation with parishes and local councils who provide spaces and opportunities for up and coming groups to expose themselves to a public
• festivals, where different types of theatre companies and productions can show their performances at different levels (amateur, semi-professional, professional…of the type found in festivals such as Edinburgh.)
• outreach programmes, where theatre is taken to different types of audiences in varying settings.

The awareness of theatre and education in theatre received through these means will help validate theatre. This process of validation is further enhanced by the formation of theatre guilds dealing with various aspects of theatre, and creating a better representation of theatre needs and possibilities. Guilds would also provide social and professional guarantees, such as the establishment of professional rates etc. Although it is difficult to imagine full-time professional actors, standards will be aimed for and officially recognised. This validation should lead to unification, where actors and companies work more closely together through shared goals and attract private enterprise funding, which can therefore raise more awareness.

The inner concentric circle consists of a national theatre structure that is government funded. This is not a company, it is a flexible structure, that selects among the initiatives that are proposed in the outer circle and places them in a professional environment. This organisation is the means for a Maltese plural theatrical identity to expess itself and be promoted. It will embody democratic principles in the theatre, and create the base for all national theatre programmes .This structure, through a transparent policy, finances projects it has selected which have been proposed by people who have already acquired theatre experience and exposure in the initiatives generated in the outer circle. The national theatre structure then provides technical aid, development and promotion.