|
Faye Paris, up until recently Cachia Zammit, is one of a crop of very promising actors who is making a name for herself doing the theatre rounds. While she does not credit her passion to any of her elders both her brother and husband are also well-known actors. She has been given some roles where she had to appear near to naked in recent productions of British farces, but she has also played some more serious roles including one in Ibsen's 'The Lady From the Sea.'
 Faye has one of the roles in MADC's Time of My Life by Alan Ayckbourn at the Manoel between April 8 to 10 (see page 41).
What prompted you to take up acting? Any family influence?
Recently I was browsing through an old family photo album and came across pictures of me on stage from the tender age of 8 or so, as a little piggie in a school production of 'The 3 little piggies'. So I was always tempted to be on stage. I started taking it 'seriously' after watching my brother Stefan at the Manoel theatre and realising that I could possibly be on that stage too. He introduced me to MADC and I have never looked back.
Of all your many roles which were the most memorable and why?
I have good memories of all the productions I have been part of, from my very first panto as part of the chorus to my last role in 'Perfect Wedding' last May. I really believe that no matter how big or small the part, it's all about what you make of it. So unless you'd like me to relate the past 8 years of my life...
Which are the actors that you admire and would suggest aspiring actors should follow?
I admire any actor whose performance is so physically or mentally demanding that it all seems effortless and for the couple of hours that I'm watching, I forget who he or she really is. Locally, this may be a bit difficult because I normally know most of the cast on stage so well (personally), that sometimes it's hard to not see them as themselves just saying lines on stage. I hope that doesn't sound too harsh!
There are many people I admire. Memorable performances in the last couple of years... Jes Camilleri in 'Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf', the complete production of 'Il-Gawwija', Stefan Cachia Zammit and Rachel Portelli in 'The Fall of the House of Usher' and for fear of sounding corny Alan (my husband... That's why it's corny) in 'Fat Men in Skirts'. Some of you may recall him eating baby's brains on stage (and I still married him!?!).
Famous international actors that come to mind are Cate Blanchett and Giovanni Ribisi. No two interpretations of the characters they play are the same.
What, in your opinion, are the 'ingredients' for high quality theatre?
Dedication, open mindedness, good organisation, variety, funds and a little bit of risk.
Did you ever have to prepare for a role in a way where you had to change yourself a lot either mentally or physically, and what can you tell us about those experiences?
Besides having to lose a couple of pounds before every production you mean? Unfortunately for me in 'Perfect Wedding' and 'Noises off' last year I had to appear somewhat scantily clad as the stage direction put it. What it was really was me prancing around on stage in my underwear. I remember in 'Noises Off' I lost about 5 kilos in 4 weeks. That sounds crazy I know! Problem is I love eating and I immediately regain the weight I lose.
I think the role in which I had to change my appearance completely was when I played Ariel in 'The Tempest'. My hair, which was quite long then, was back-combed, gripped and sprayed electric blue. I had very long false nails on and my face, hands and feet were covered in blue and silver makeup. To top it all I had to wear an extremely unflattering blue cat suit. My hair and make up was done and undone everyday for a whole week. I remember the false nails had to be stuck on with glue to be sure not to fall off during a scene but I was risking injuring myself if I left them on after the performance so I had to break them off every night, which was quite painful. But hey! That's the price we've got to pay!
You are taking part in 'Time of My Life,' what can you tell me about your experience in the play so far?
Nanette Brimmer is a fantastic director and I hope to work with her again in the future (hint! hint!). Joking apart, thanks to Nanette I'm learning to really read into a script, to read between the lines because that's where the each character is hidden. We are also working very hard on interpretation and the delivery of the lines... you will understand why when you watch the play. Every time I work with a different director it is a fantastic learning experience for me, and 'Time of my Life' is proving to be more than that.
The play is by Alan Ayckbourn, certainly one of Britain best playwrights what impresses you about him?
The characters in his plays (especially with regards to 'Time of My Life') are very real. This play will make you laugh, cry, and experience all types of emotions. Each line in the script cleverly puts into perspective each character's personality and background.
What is theatre adding to your life?
A sense of accomplishment.
What future plans do you have?
As many more plays as I can handle!
If you could change three things about Malta which would they be?
1. Decent service in general which is non-existent. I've been to ghost towns in the back of beyond in Chile where people are nicer to you over the counter than they are here. 2. People who throw rubbish out of their car. It makes my blood boil! 3. Bus lanes. Scrap them!
|
