TV • November 30 2003

Pushing the boundaries of theatre

Jes Camilleri’s name is becoming almost synonymous with theatre. In this interview he explains why he is more interested in artistic accomplishment than the commercial success of the plays he acts in. Jes has charmed Maltese audiences with his roles including the title role in ‘Hamlet’ by Shakespeare, Yvan in ‘Art’ by J.Reza Valere in La Bete, the man in Fo and Rame’s ‘The Open Couple,’ and Arnholm in Ibsen’s ‘The Lady from the Sea’.
Camilleri is a founder member of Theatre Anon for whom he has played in and directed a number of productions.
You can catch him in a most entertaining role this evening on the last day of ‘Aphitryon’ at St James Cavalier.
You are now one of the best known names in theatre, what inspired you to act, any family inspiration?
As far as I know no one in my family had any connection to the stage. I started getting active in theatre at the age of 18 when, as part of my involvement in student politics we decided to use theatre to get our message
across. Theatre has always fascinated me for the way it allows the actor to enter situations one would not normally encounter in one's own life. I'm also attracted to the danger involved - it's a bit like an extreme sport where you're never quite sure whether you'll come out of the experience unscathed.
Have you also done TV acting? If not, do you aspire to?
Very little. Had a small speaking part in TV-film Julius Caesar and I'm doing a small part in a TV series to be launched in January but I'd much rather do stage to TV.
Do you get the chance to see theatre abroad? If so what do you look for?
Oh yes, it's the first thing I check out when I'm away. I will try to see more of the alternative theatre shows as we don't get much of that locally and also the contemporary dance shows which I find very stimulating.
Are there actors - Maltese or worldwide - you admire?
We've got some great actors locally which I admire tremendously and thoroughly enjoy working with but my heroes are Simon Russell Beale for his range and Fiona Shaw for her magnetism. I will watch anything they're in!
What would you like to see done to achieve a higher quality theatre and attract more people to the shows in Malta?
I would like to see groups/companies/theatres taking more risks (artistically). Given that most of the groups are self-financed I don't blame them for playing safe in order to survive. More funds/resources need to be pumped into theatre by Government and businesses to allow producers to push the boundaries further in terms of both quality and style.
Unfortunately success in theatre is usually measured by the size of the audience. To me a production which pushes the boundaries by providing something fresh and interesting is much more successful than one that packs them in by regurgitating the familiar.
You are playing Amphitryon in the play of that name, what did you and the director try to achieve in that role?
Well, the role has been transformed to take in the ideas of author, director and actor. I had a great time trying different things out with the character during rehearsals. Director Frank Hoerner is so great to work with because he uses whatever you bring to the character. I guess the end result is how I saw the character fitting into the total vision of the production. To me the character of Amphitryon in this particular production has two sides to himself - the public side where he is constantly under pressure to appear in control of everything and the private side where he is a total emotional mess!
Do you see plays in Malta as being too text based? Too director driven? A good balance?
Nothing wrong with text based plays nor with productions where the director's vision is strongly portrayed. My criticism would rather be that text based plays are more often than not treated as no more than academic
texts and that there are not enough directors willing to stamp their personal vision on the productions.
Is it correct to say that theatre in Malta is going through a new lease of life?
I would say so in terms of audience figures but as I said previously, to me, that is no measure for success. Hopefully though, the figures will encourage more funds to be invested into theatre.