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Isabella Scicluna has been acting for several years and like most actors in Malta has a hard time balancing her job with the stage and her other interests. She has taken up the role of Nina in Alfred Sant’s play ‘It-tfal ta’ Nikol Grixti’ and believes acting the role has helped her develop. The play is enjoying some success and another performance is scheduled for Wednesday 10 November at the Manoel Theatre Courtyard at 7.30. Tickets are available from the Manoel Theatre booking office 2124 6389 or bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt
What inspired you to act, any family inspiration?
It was always in me without realising it. Being an only child, I remember my self acting, dancing or singing for my dolls and organising shows with my friends in the neighborhood to entertain our families. I have an uncle who acted when he was a child but my family is more into music. I was probably inspired by other good Maltese actors who were and still are my idols when I attending the ‘Imtada.’
How do you balance your life between job, theatre, and your other activities?
This is the question, which I ask myself every morning. I have to work to finance my self, I have to practice theatre to live and I have to do the rest simply because it has to be done. Planning is the best remedy, but sometimes things get out of control. C’est la Vie!
Of all the roles you have played which remain the most memorable and why?
When I remember previous roles, a smile always arises on my face, as if they are part of me and I also get emotional sometimes. Rosemary Sydney in Picnic (last year’s Drama unit performance) and Nina in ‘It-tfal ta’ Nikol Grixti’ because Rosemary was the first good role I ever had and enjoyed working on and it taught me a lot and Nina because she had a strong character, which helped me personally.
Who are the actors/directors in Malta or abroad that you admire?
I was lucky in this because in our cast I could work with one of the actors who I admired since I was young: Anthony Ellul. I also admire Manuel Cauchi whom was my tutor at the school. Monica Attard and Irene Christ for their strength and versatility skills.
What could the authorities do to make theatre more popular in Malta?
Believe in it! Believe in us artists. That is to start with. Then there should be a promotion campaign to educate the Maltese of all ages that culture is important in life. The authorities should support our productions and help companies present a good standard of theatre. Furthermore the authorities should imminently rebuild the former Opera House to its original design.
What can you tell us about your role in 'It-Tfal ta Nikol Grixti'’?
Nina is a very strong character and has difficulty in expressing herself with the rest of the family. She carries a mask at home to hide her real mixed feelings and hence is always misunderstood by her attitude. She has a vision for the future and here is when her strength is seen.
What is theatre adding to your life?
Everything! Starting from a lot of hard work and stress to self-satisfaction and the beauty of learning more about the human being, how a character acts and reacts with other characters and in different situations. The more I get in to it, the more I am amazed. Theatre is my life.
Did you ever have to prepare for a role in ways where you had to change?
Your physical appearance or mental state? What can you tell us about those experiences?
Your mental state always changes. During the rehearsals people who are close to you including myself could tell that I am changing. I never had a role where I had to change my physical appearance drastically and I think it is interesting to have to work that out.
Any future plans?
Doing more theatre! Getting involved with other theatre companies to work with other directors and actors. Going abroad to study theatre and then get some acting experience from there. This is really a dream, but if we artist don’t dream, how can we make others dream?
If you could change something in Malta what would they be?
The mentality and attitude of the Maltese population in general who should stop looking down on themselves and on their country and instead start working harder to make this country a real acting gem in the Mediterranean.
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