L-IKLA T-TAJBA

A banquet for theatre

August 19, 2018| Times of Malta |

Teatru Malta’s latest oeuvre, L-Ikla t-Tajba is a site-specific production that promises to bring together our infamous love of food with interactive theatre. Adam Brimmer interviews two of the main performers, Ira Melkonyan and Rebecca Camilleri.

When you first learnt about the concept behind L-Ikla t-Tajba, what was your reaction?

Ira: I was very intrigued by director Nona Ciubanu’s interpretations and interconnections between subjects of food, poetry, sensuality, class, privilege, consumption and other political aspects. I was truly inspired by how she opened up the ritual of eating together; I usually go through a similar thought process when I start working on a performance.

Rebecca: I was mostly lured into this project because it is a site-specific piece. I wanted to work with the land, sea and salt. That is also food for me. It nourishes me in other ways. Nona is doing that, but she is also layering the piece with other elements which I did not expect.

You are both part of The Rubberbodies Collective, which is known for pushing the envelope and, moreover, you both came back to Malta specifically to be part of this. What was it that made you want to be part of the project?

Ira: For me it coincided with an already-planned summer trip to Malta; I had some free time, the group of colleagues from the Maltese theatre scene sounded very promising and pleasant, the works that I found online of the director also appealed to me. It is worth noting that this is not a Rubberbodies Collective production – we were employed as individual actors, so it felt inspiring to encounter each other in a different role in a creative process.

Rebecca: Since living on another continent, I have discovered more about my connection to Malta and the community. To experience this part of myself through a performance making process makes it much more enriching. I was also curious about working through another director’s vision and process and also with a large of cast of performers who have their own projects locally.

L-Ikla t-Tajba is described as an ‘interactive’ experience – how much of it is scripted and how much will be spontaneous?

Ira: We are still working on the performance, so I can’t be precise. Yet, my impression is that the performance will have a fixed ‘skeleton’ – an order and essence of scenes, and there will also be space for the performers to improvise, make the structure more colourful and full in the moment.

Rebecca: We have been improvising individually and collectively and sharing stories. Nona has been knitting the material generated. In performance, and more so in site-specific work, even if there is script/ structure, there is still a strong element of surprise and that is what makes the work alive and enticing.

There is still a strong element of surprise and that is what makes the work alive and enticing.

What has the creative process and rehearsals been like?

Ira: Nona carried out extensive research on a Frenchman with the family name Grimaud. He wrote extensively on gourmet food and etiquette of eating. Also, she has interwoven this story with Greek mythology of Ulysses, Penelope, Calypso and others. Rehearsals are organised around her taking us into this narrative structure that she has compiled and our improvisations on the proposed scenes with masks and objects. Another big part of the process are readings of poems by Immanuel Mifsud. This layer brings a very beautiful and unexpected poetic interpretation to the material; interweaving Immanuel’s works with the ongoing character development is one of my personal favourites in the process.

Rebecca: All these elements which Ira mentioned are being incorporated in different bodies. My body is being extended through a mask which I sometimes wear. Other times, I become part of a larger body like a creature of another world. We dive into and out of these processes in the studio. When we go on site, Xwejni salt pans, we restructure the material. Working with nature is very different to working in a studio. There is a presence that is much bigger than you and you have to find a way of embracing it and allowing it to be part of every movement you make.

Can you describe your role in the production?

Ira: I am part of the ensemble of 10 actors. My character is Circe, the Greek Goddess of magic. Apart from having a human form, I can take shape of a creature which is half cat, half bird.

Rebecca: I am also a performer; Calypso, a goddess with a force of seduction.

And finally – which audiences will this production appeal to?

Ira: Theatregoers, curious foreigners visiting the island, younger and mature audiences. I am confident it will be a visual, artistic and culinary delight for all tastes.

Rebecca: Anyone who needs a sprinkle of salt.

L-Ikla t-Tajba

Malta Independent, Tuesday, 21 August 2018

L-Ikla t-Tajba; Teatru Malta’s latest production in collaboration with Valletta 2018, will be held between 22 and 26 August at the Xwejni Salt Pans in Zebbug, Gozo.

The production is an interactive take on the ultimate Maltese meal featuring ingredients from our past, delicacies from the present and an unexpectedly wonderful food experience that  audiences of all ages can enjoy. This alluring banquet by the sea will be laced with a mostly non verbal contemporary performance with occasional recitals of newly written poetry by celebrated Maltese poet Immanuel Mifsud.

Under the direction of acclaimed Romanian director Nona Ciobanu, the show stars Paul Portelli, Charlotte Grech, Liliana Portelli, Pierre Stafrace, Rebecca Camilleri, Ira Melkonyan Martina Georgina, Julia Camilleri, Ruth Borg and Lisa-Farrugia.

Julia Camilleri and Martina Buhagiar, two of the production's cast members, tell us more about the special production.

Describe the artistic process behind being part of this ensemble.

Martina: I am very pleased to be a part of this beautiful mixture of individuals. Everyone continues to bring something to the process. The process has allowed us the space to play and discover similarities and differences amongst us.

We had a lot to play with, food, props, masks, text, song and I always enjoy observing how a group of individuals can provide each other with new material and interpretations to use and adapt into the piece. Also sitting together at table as this very strange family, with food placed in front of us to use as anything we wanted it to be, has been a moment I particularly found to be very interesting and and I believe it holds endless possibilities yet to be discovered.

Julia: Working with a diverse group of performers on a devised piece means that a large chunk of time is spent connecting with each other's energy, sounding out observations, and exploring common threads in our movement and behaviour. New ideas are constantly being developed while others are discarded or placed on the shelf as the work evolves. This is far from a linear process, yet all the more rewarding - I find myself in a constant state of learning and listening that in turn opens up space for interesting, meaningful work to be created.

L-Ikla t-Tajba: Could you tell us more on its concept, and your involvement in its collaborative process, and working with Romanian director Nona Ciobanu? 

Martina: The central character Grimod, who shares his gastronomic obsessions with the audience, is surrounded by a very strange family of characters that continuously transform themselves into other even more mysterious creatures. These creatures' continuous metamorphosis and interactions somehow uncover many human properties; our desires, cravings, personal grievances, family troubles and inconveniences, traumas, corruption, life and death.

I feel Immanuel Mifsud's text is really the meat of the performance. Nona presented us with these characters that have really come from Immanuel's poetry. Nona directed and encouraged us to use his poetry as tapestry; weaving his words amongst us to add even more layers to the performance.

Nona is a very magnetic person and I am very humbled to be working with her. She is very sensitive to the group and works very close with us. She leaves plenty of space for us to fill in with actions, interactions, movements and sounds. She provides the information and the toys for us to use then she adapts our discoveries into her vision.

Julia: L-Ikla t-Tajba is a complex, surreal performance that explores food in its many facets: visual, sensual, cultural, political... The representation of family is a strong concept in the piece and one that resonates deeply with my experience with food; in fact, we drew upon many personal food-related memories while developing our characters. Each performer takes on different identities throughout the piece, from the familiar to the bizarre. I sometimes found it difficult to widen my performative boundaries, yet Nona created a safe environment that enabled me to keep pushing. It is truly refreshing and inspiring to work with a director who is tireless and strong in the pursuit of her vision while remaining honest, playful and genuinely sensitive to the performers' needs.

What are the challenges of creating and rehearsing solely in Gozo, and how do you think that the Gozitan audience would react to such performance? 

Julia: I was born and raised in Gozo and owe my introduction into theatre to the passion of dedicated individuals and groups on the island. It's a bittersweet experience to be the only Gozitan performer in a mainly Maltese group. I've realised that despite an abundance of creative potential among both Gozitans and Maltese, there is little collaborative effort between groups on either island. It's less about Maltese companies putting up performances in Gozo, and more about a long-term, concerted effort to share resources and ideas with a genuine intention towards collaborative work.

The obvious challenge of the daily commute is an intrinsic part of life as a Gozitan whose career and personal life are spread across the channel, so I took it in my stride. Teatru Malta have done their best to make life easier during the process in this regard, which allowed us to focus on the creation of the work itself. At the end of the day, the warm, peaceful energy of Gozo and the sheer beauty of the performance site at Xwejni made every sleepy minute on the ferry worth the while.

I'm excited to see Gozitan audiences' reaction to L-Ikla t-Tajba; the salt pans of Xwejni are special to many of the islanders and this surreal performance will certainly awaken intriguing thoughts in those present. Food and family are pillars of our Gozitan identity - I'm curious about how the audience will resonate with these central themes. I'm also hoping that experiencing the salt pans in a new light will provoke the audience to become more conscious about our natural landscape, our relationship with it and what it represents.

Martina: I personally do not recall any particular challenges that seem to be associated with working solely in Gozo from my perspective as a performer in this project. On the contrary, it has provided a magnificent space for us to work with.

Gozo is a beautiful landscape, rich in splendour and wonder despite its size. I am very grateful to have the chance to work on the salt pans of Xwejni, such a sacred site that provides the nourishing salt. We are beginning to see the space transform into another dimension.

I do not see any reason why our audiences would not find something they can enjoy. The Gozitan people are very warm and I am sure they will enjoy their own local produce served to them by these strange creatures in this transformed space they were once familiar with. All will go back to how it was after the 26th of August, so it would be a pity to miss this incredible visit.

ART & CULTUREAUGUST 16, 2018

“L-Ikla t-Tajba” by the Xwejni Salts Pans in Gozo

by PAULA FLERI-SOLER

A contemporary performance and communal meal by the Xwejni Salt Pans in Gozo is currently being prepared….

L-Ikla t-Tajba, Teatru Malta’s latest production with the support of Valletta 2018, is billed as “the show of the summer”. What better way to spend a warm August night than by the Xwejni Salt Pans, watching a marvellous contemporary performance while dining and drinking under the stars?

Under the superb direction of acclaimed Romanian director Nona Ciobanu, the show will be laced with the poetry of beloved poet Immanuel Mifsud. Our Michelin Star cast includes favourites like Teatru Anon’s Paul Portelli, Charlotte Grech, Liliana Portelli and Pierre Stafrace; as well as Rebecca Camilleri & Ira Melkonyan from The Rubberbodies Collective; Martina Georgina & Julia Camilleri from Teatru Santwarju; the remarkable Ruth Borg; and up-and-comer Lisa Farrugia.

The show will not only be a feast for the eyes, but with food and drinks provided by Joseph from Gozo’s own Ta’ Mena Estate, this will definitely be a feast for your stomachs too. With every €20.00 ticket audience members are entitled to not only watch the show but join in the ‘majjalata’ afterwards and wash it down with a complimentary glass of Ta’ Mena wine. A bar will also be open for whoever wishes to make the most out of the beautiful setting.

The lines between cooking and theatre will be blurred as performance and gastronomy become one. Don’t miss out on this one-off culinary experience and dig in this August at the Xwejni Salt Pans in Zebbug Gozo from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th August, 2018

This project is supported by the Valletta 2018 foundation, Arts Council Malta, The Ministry for Gozo and LESA. 

Valletta Cultural Capital 2018

Contemporary Performance and Communal Meal

at Xwejni Salt Pans L-Ikla t-Tajba

c. Sean Mallia

L-Ikla t-Tajba; Teatru Malta’s latest production in collaboration with Valletta 2018, takes place between the 22nd and the 26th of August at Xwejni Salt Pans in Żebbuġ, Gozo. 

In this one-off culinary experience, gastronomy and theatre become one. L-Ikla t-Tajba is an interactive take on the ultimate Maltese meal featuring ingredients from our past, delicacies from the present and an unusual yet wonderful food experience for all audiences to enjoy. This will not be your average dinner, but you will be participating in and co-creating a contemporary theatrical performance.

Under the direction of acclaimed Romanian director Nona Ciobanu, the show will be laced with the poetry of Immanuel Mifsud. The stellar cast also promises not to disappoint. Performing alongside each other are favourites such as Teatru Anon’s Paul Portelli, Charlotte Grech, Liliana Portelli and Pierre Stafrace as well as Rebecca Camilleri & Ira Melkonyan from The Rubberbodies Collective, Martina Georgina & Julia Camilleri from Teatru Santwarju, Ruth Borg and Lisa-Farrugia.

During the show, food and drinks will be provided by Gozo’s own Ta’ Mena Estate. With every €20 ticket purchased, audience members are not only entitled to watch the performance, but also invited to join in the traditional majjalata afterwards and to wash it down with a complimentary glass of Ta’ Mena wine. A bar will also be open.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to dine on slow-roasted pork and locally-grown vegetables cooked to perfection while sipping on a glass of Gozitan wine, all provided by Ta’ Mena.

L-Ikla t-Tajba takes place every day between the 22nd and the 26th of August at 7.30pm, at the Xwejni Salt Pans in Żebbuġ Gozo.

This project is co-produced by the Valletta 2018 Foundation with the support of Arts Council Malta, The Ministry for Gozo and LESA.

L-Ikla t-tajba banquet and theatre being enjoyed by many

BY GOZO NEWS · AUGUST 25, 2018

L-Ikla t-tajba the community banquet and theatre, has been hailed as a great success -and is taking place over five nights at the Xwejni Saltpans, Zebbug, Gozo.

The Minister for Gozo Dr Justyne Caruana attended one of the performances, remarking on the “intriguing, particular, unique setting and good food.”

Performances continue this evening and tomorrow of a contemporary theatrical representation under the direction of Romanian director Nona Ciobanu. The Set Design and Visuals are by Peter Košir and the Manager is Vanessa Attard.

The show includes poetry by Immanuel Mifsud. The cast is formed of actors: Paul Portelli, Ruth Borg, Rebecca Camilleri, Charlotte Grech, Martina Georgina, Ira Melkonyan, Julia Camilleri, Liliana Portelli, Pierre Stafrace and Lisa Farrugia.

This gastronomic activity and theatre becomes as one, when following the performance everyone is invited to join the community meal, and enjoy a traditional Maltese – majjallta. Dine on slow-roasted pork with local grown vegetables and potatoes and a glass of wine, all catered by Ta’ Mena of Gozo.

An interactive take on the ultimate Maltese meal

L-Ikla t-Tajba promises to be a feast for the senses

August 15, 2018 Times of Malta 

The culinary and theatrical arts will become one in Teatru Malta’s latest production, a blend of a traditional dinner and contemporary performance at the Xwejni Salt Pans in Gozo.

L-Ikla t-Tajba is described by the producers as an interactive take on the ultimate Maltese meal, featuring ingredients from our past, delicacies from the present and an unusual yet wonderful food experience for all audiences to enjoy.

Under the direction of acclaimed Romanian director Nona Ciobanu, the show will be laced with Immanuel Mifsud’s poetry, with a cast featuring Theatre Anon’s Paul Portelli, Charlotte Grech, Liliana Portelli and Pierre Stafrace, with Rebecca Camilleri and Ira Melkonyan of The Rubberbodies Collective, Martina Georgina and Julia Camilleri from Teatru Santwarju, Ruth Borg and Lisa Farrugia.

As the multilayered show unfolds, food and drinks will be provided by Gozo’s own Ta’ Mena Estate.

The audience will not only watch the performance, but is also invited to join in a traditional majjalata afterwards and wash it down with a complimentary glass of Ta’ Mena wine.