Theatre | Speed The Plow

David Mamet is known for his rapid-fire dialogue and steady grip on satire.
How do you think his very ‘talky’ style, and his focus on specifically American themes and mores will be received by the local audience?

When I had offered the play to Frank Tanti, director of Maleth, his reaction was exactly like your comment and question. But my answer was “absolutely no problem, we are accustomed to American films and television series. Who doesn’t enjoy Frasier, Sex and the city, Everybody Loves Raymond, Will and Grace, Desperate Housewives, and all the rest? This play simply focuses on the people behind the scenes of such products.”

I do not think that ‘Speed’ is a talky play, simply because, when you think about it, any good comedy is talky comedy! The play is about friendship, making money, loyalty, love and finally hate, all crashing together to a funny and satirical climax.

The trio of actors you’ve assembled appear to be formidable enough on their own. How are they finding embodying the characters and getting across Mamet’s sharp satirical message?

We have gone through hours of discussion and analysis of the characters, their way of talking, their body language, their reactions to each other. Yes, the three actors are quite formidable. I am not watching Manuel, Mikhail and Almog at rehearsals, I am watching Mamet’s characters. Characters that can be hateful, but comic in their reaction towards each other. The play is, after all, about the secretary – who’s going to bed her, and for what amount of money? But the ‘problem’ is that she decides... and men are only underlings in a world manipulated by the fair sex. “Frailty, thy name is Woman”… how wrong the Bard was! At least according to Mamet.

Out of Mamet’s wide and acclaimed repertoire (both on stage and cinema) what attracted you to this particular play?

Well, it made me think. I’m involved both in television and theatre. The saying goes that “all actors want to become stars, but once they do they want to become actors.” All producers want to make money, but once they do that they want to make an ‘artsy’ film: get the awards, get the acclaim, be treated as gods.

The play is satirical about such people in a world that is competitive and about simply creating a product which sells. It’s a world that I understand, and that exists even on this small island. Just have a look at the television schedules and you find them full of drama, all competing for the best audience rating and therefore, more money. It’s all about making money, but the process is actually fun to watch.

What kind of reaction are you expecting from audience members once the curtain is drawn?

Whether the play gets a standing ovation or whether the audience boo or clap throughout, the important thing is that they have a great night at the theatre, and I’m confident that they will. Even though I’ve been with the play in some form or other since October, I’m still finding the interpretation of the trio of actors brilliant and consistently enjoyable. So will the audience. I am lucky to be working on such a brilliant script with such brilliant cast. And the audience? They are going to love it.

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