A number of Fourth Year Lemonhead students worked on a mini production entitled Il-Pupa. This piece was included in a 3-day event organised by Violin which featured dancing, singing, drama and recitals. Profits were used to fund voluntary work that two groups did in Naples and Pakistan.

The script of Il-Pupa tells the story of a married couple who are passing through a difficult period. John is getting more and more estranged from his wife Claire, and spends most of his time locked in the garage building a life-size marionette. Claire tries to coax him out of this obsession, but John seems oblivious to her efforts.

The group involved in this play met for the first time weeks before the production dates. After scheduling days, times and locations for rehearsals, Noel asked for feedback regarding the script. This inevitably led to aspects of characterisation as the restricted length of the story (about 20mins.) demands that character traits come out intensely in as little time as possible. Next on the agenda were the costumes. Although the stage shall be set to a minimum, the characters are going to have a particular look that will contrast with their surroundings.

The group left en masse and headed towards the wardrobe area in the Lemonhead headquarters to fish for clothes. Luckily, we managed to locate a great number of the required garments.

As with every production, the long weeks of preparation and rehearsals seem interminable and one cannot wait till everything's finished, shelved and locked away in that cupboard reserved for beautiful but taxing experiences. However, withdrawal symptoms start cropping up during the final curtain call. A somewhat morose expression accompanies the actors backstage. They hug, and pat each other on the back – “ Well done ” – “ It's finally over now ” – “ Prosit, gbin ”; yet, with a faint persistent thumping coming from inside the said cupboard. By the time they arrive back home, the actors would have opened the cupboard to relive snippets of the nights.

CAST & CREW

John - NOEL TANTI

Claire - KOREN SCICLUNA

Marionette - ALDITH GAUCI

Mark - SILVIO GALEA

Tania - EMMA GALEA

Stage Manager - MARIO SCICLUNA

Script - NOEL TANTI

Executive Producers - LOUISE MUSCAT / BRYAN MUSCAT

Direction / Production - NOEL TANTI