This Week • February 1 2004

Playing strong women

Charlotte ‘Helena’ Stafrace, has developed from a very shy young girl to one of the mainstays of Malta’s theatre scene. Stafrace has a passion for theatre and makes it a point to keep herself abreast with the contemporary theatre idiom by regularly seeing plays abroad.
She is a founder member of Theatre Anon, one of Malta’s most adventurous theatre groups, and among her many important roles, has played Faye in ‘Loot,’ Helena in ‘A Mid-Summer’s Night Dream,’ Juliet in ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ Helena in ‘All’s Well That Ends Well,’ Helena in ‘Look Back in Anger,’ the title role in ‘Piaf’ Vanya in ‘The Cherry Orchard,’ Emma in ‘Betrayal’ Margaret Hyman in ‘Broken Glass,’ Cory in ‘Private Eyes’ and Rosalind in ‘As You Like It.’
Charlotte Stafrace has also played several musical roles including Audrey in ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ Phelia in ‘Something Funny Happened on the Way to the Forum,’ Kate in ‘Kiss Me Kate,’ as well as various main roles in pantomimes.
With Theatre Anon she has played: Cunegonde in ‘Candide,’ Kafka’s Sister in an adaptation of ‘Metamorphosis,’ various characters in ‘Rewwixta tal-Patalott’ and also in ‘La Bete’ and ‘Knight of Malta.’
If you enjoy Charlotte on stage or have never seen her act, you can catch up with her at FM Theatre Productions, Chicago, which kicks off 13 February at the Manoel Theatre, in Valletta.

What first what inspired you to act, any family inspiration?
I was terribly shy. At 17 I went to see fellow friend and then actor Chris Gatt and some other friends take part in a comedy at MTADA (theatre school back then). I felt really inspired and it seemed like great fun, so I plucked up courage to enroll at the school and spent a really good fun 2 years, learning the ropes and plunging in.

Do you get the chance to see theatre abroad? If so what do you look for?
I have been lucky to travel a lot in the past, and have also lived in London for a few years. When visiting London theatre is my addiction!!
Throughout these last 15 years or so, I have seen numerous productions ranging from straight plays, to Shakespeare, to weird and wonderful contemporary theatre, to improvisations, to musicals, dance theatre and mime. I recently saw a brilliant Mourning Becomes Electra with Helen Mirren, and Deborah Colker Dance Company (Brazil) which literally held my breath for an hour and half.

Are there actors (Maltese or worldwide) you admire?
There are many actors I enjoy watching. It is wonderful, and very educational, watching the same actor in different roles coming up with something completely different every time. For an actor I admire, I am ready to suffer….I once queued for five hours to watch Antony Sher play Macbeth (oops sorry, the Scottish play).

What would you like to see done to achieve a higher quality theatre and attract more people to the shows in Malta?
It would be a good opportunity to get to work with foreign directors – we actors would certainly benefit from their experience. It would also be great if more directors would inject fresh and new material at audiences.

Of all the roles you have played so far which is your most memorable and why?
It’s a great thrill when people still remember Piaf so vividly because it will always be my favourite role - as well as the biggest challenge of all. I sweated a lot going from passionate love scenes to writhing on the stage ‘under the influence of drugs.’ It’s most memorable for me since I love Piaf’s music and what she stood for – she was a ball of mad energy addicted to life. I love playing strong women that have a lot to say!

Your next play is 'Chicago' can you tell me something about your role?
I love musicals but I have two all time favourite musicals – Cabaret and Chicago…..Chicago’s dance numbers are just stunning – and the music is just so memorable!! I’m playing the part of Mama Mortimer, the ‘matron’ of Cook County women’s Jail. She’s conniving, but a very likeable character and very ‘knowing’ about the business of murder!!

What aspirations do you have for the future?
I would love to do some more classic Shakespeare roles, possibly in modern adaptations as well as some Ibsen. I would also love to do some contemporary theatre too - something a bit different and challenging!……and wish to be reborn again as a dancer!!