Productions by Unifaun
Adrian Buckle and Unifaun Theatre Productions have been pushing the boundaries of theatre for years, creating exciting and daring productions that challenge both audiences and performers. Our projects reflect our passion for creating excellent theatre. Take a look at our work to see what we mean.
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Praise for Unifaun Work by Playwright Edward Bond.
"Unifaun have developed a style that covers tragedy, comedy, satire and analysis with the same accuracy, intensity, and analytic penetration. It is both critical and creative. That is, it performs the functions that drama was created to perform – to reveal to audiences the mystery of being human. The aim of a lot of modern media is to make money, to entertain audiences so that they forget their problems – but then leave the theatre more clueless than they were when they entered it. The aim of drama is to make audiences more perceptive, freer and happier. Its not just to give them two hours of entertainment == in understanding the play the auduence understand themselves and the complexities of their world better. So Unifaun and theirtheatre perform a great public service.
Unifaun Theatre puts the London West End and the New York Broadway to shame and I really mean that. Malta can be proud of its theatre."
16/05/2023
01
The Good Doctor
Unifaun's first play was The Good Doctor by Neil Simon, inspired by short stories by Anton Chekov. It was produced at St James Cavalier Main Theatre in April 2005.
02
The Pillowman
The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh was Unifaun's first major success. It sold out over more than 11 nights at St James Cavalier Main Theatre in November 2005. It was the first play for Unifaun to be directed by Chris Gatt.
03
Two
Two by Jim Cartwright was another successful production for Unifaun. Staged at St James Cavalier Main Theatre in April/May 2006, it showed fantastic portrayals of some 14 fidderent characters by actors Pia Zammit and Edward Mercieca.
04
Some Explicit Polaroids
Some Explicit Polaroids was one of the first plays with LGBTIQ content to be staged in Malta. It was once again directed by Chris Gatt at St James Cavalier Main Theatre. It was produced to great acclaim in October 2006.
05
Paul
Unifaun started pushing the envelope by challenging the status quo with the production of Howard Brenton's Paul. Directed by Chris Gatt at St James Cavalier Main Theatre, this production questioned unconditional religious belief, specifically that of catholicism.
06
Equus
With Equus, Unifaun delved into more classic Theatre. Written by Peter Shaffer and directed by Marcelle Teuma, this production of Equus was one of the first to feature prolonged stage nudity as well as a visual feast thanks to the set designed by Pierre Portelli.
07
Mercury Fur
Mercury Fur was Unifaun's first venture out of St James Cavalier Main Theatre. It was staged at the old MITP and Chris Gatt directed a largely unknown young cast. It quickly became a cult favourite with many claiming it was the show that brought them to enjoy Theatre.
08
Minn Wara ż-Żipp
Minn Wara ż-Żipp marked Unifaun's first foray into Maltese Theatre and first performance at Teatru Manoel. Written by Trevor Żahra, this hilarious piece aimed to become a Penis Monologues of sorts, taking the mickey out of everything male-related.
09
Blasted
With Blasted, written by Sarah Kane, Unifaun returned to St James Cavalier's Main Theatre. Directed by Dave Barton, this production is still considered as one of the most controversial ever staged in Malta.
10
Minn Wara ż-Żipp
Following the fall out with Blasted, Unifaun opted to restage Minn Wara ż-Żipp, this time at Tal-Qroqq University Sir Temi Zammit Hall. Featuring some new monologues, this production was the same success as the one at Teatru Manoel.
11
The Alchemist
The Alchemist by Ben Jonson, marked another foray into classic Theatre by Unifaun. Directed at Teatru Manoel by Polly March, this production exceeded expectations by playing to considerable houses and having the audiences in fits of laughter.
12
I Could be Anyone
Staged at St James Cavalier's Main Theatre on different nights this two hander penned and adapted by veteran British actor Matthew Scurfield, replaced the banned production of Anthony Neilson's Stitching. It went on to acquire a life of its own and play in different theatres both locally and abroad.
13
Devil's Advocate
Devil's Advocate, by Donald Freed, marked a return for Unifaun to political Theatre. It was directed by Michael Fenech at St James Cavalier Main Theatre and portrayed two historical figures in Noriega and Laboa locking horns over the former's imminent arrest.
14
Is-Surmast
Is-Surmast, penned by Trevor Żahra, is widely considered as the greatest comedy in Matese. Directed by John Suda at Sir Temi Zammit University Hall at Tal-Qroqq, this production sold out over three performances, re-establishing its pull towards the Maltese public.
15
The Sex Comedies
The Sex Comedies, directed by Denise Mulholland at St James Cavalier Main Theatre, was a hilarious take on unrequieted love. It featured short vignettes acted out by different pairs of actors and sold out completely over eleven nights.
16
The Seduction of Almighty God
The Seduction of Almighty God, penned by Howard Barker and directed by Amelia Nicholson at St James Cavalier Main Theatre, was a co production with the same theatre. It was hampered by the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Malta and had the first Saturday cancelled. It featured, however, great performances, notably by Matthew Scurfield, Anthony Ellul and Joe Azzopardi.
17
Ritratti Sepja
Ritratti Sepja, penned by Trevor Żahra, marked a return to Maltese Theatre at University Sir Temi Zammit Hall. Directed by John Suda, this was a comic view on Maltese life and traditions through the ages. It was followed by a one year hiatus where Adrian Buckle took up Artistic Director duties at MADC.
18
The Female of the Species
The Female of the Species, directed by Chiara Hyzler, marked the return to Theatre activity by Unifaun. It was staged at St James Cavalier Main Theatre and in spite of initial problems, ran for nine nights to sizable audiences. This unassuming production reached its goal by making audiences laugh at exagerated Female Agendas.
19
A Number
A Number, written by Caryl Churchill, was probably one of Unifaun's least attended productions. It did, however, make the headlines in artistic reviews, thanks to great performances by John Suda and Mikhail Basmadjian.
20
Olly's Prison
Olly's Prison, written by Edward Bond, was staged at St James Cavalier Main Theatre in 2013. It was directed by Chris Cooper and introduced the Theatre of Edward Bond to the Maltese islands. However, due to it being overtly long (3 hours and 2 intervals), it was not as successful as Unifaun would have wanted it to be. It was supported by the Arts Council of Malta.
21
Il-Ħajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Ä enoveffa
Il-Ħajja Sigrieta tan-Nanna Ä enoveffa, penned by Trevor Å»ahra and directed and adapted by Marcelle Teuma, was without doubt Unifaun's most successful production. It played to full houses at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University and the run could have even been extended were it not for hesitation from the producers.
22
Tender Napalm
Following up the success of Nanna Ä enoveffa was always going to be difficult, but Unifaun managed to go a step further with their production of Philip Ridley's Tender Napalm. Directed by Toni Attard at St James Cavalier Main Theatre, this production played to full houses and standing ovations.
23
Double Fo
Double Fo was a double bill of Dario Fo plays played at Teatru Manoel. The chosen plays were Marcolfa and The Virtuous Burglar. Whereas The Virtuous Burglar worked very well, Marcolfa suffered from the loss of the main actor who fell sick on production week and from some dubiously mounted set units.
24
Minn Wara ż-Żipp 2
Minn Wara ż-Żipp 2 was a rehash of the old successful production with some new monologues. It was both well attended and successful in making people laugh, although reviewers took a harder line this time round.
25
True Love Lies
True Love Lies, penned by Brad Fraser and directed by Toni Attard, ran for ten nights to packed houses at St James Cavalier Main Theatre. It was a return to the LGBTIQ agenda, so popular with Unifaun productions and slowly becoming mainstream Theatre.
26
Old Times
Old Times remains the only Pinter play attempted by Unifaun. It was directed by Chris Gatt at St James Cavalier Main Theatre and featured some very impressive performances by Laura Best, Pia Zammit and Mikhail Basmadjian.
27
Attempts on her Life
Attempts on her Life by Martin Crimp, was a fantastic piece of Theatre, directed by Dave Barton and Sandra Mifsud. However, bad marketing meant that houses were poor in spite of excellent reviews.
28
Lampedusa
Lampedusa by Anders Lustgarten was a very successful piece of Theatre narrating the tragedy of sea crossers across the Mediterranean from North Africa to the European mainland. The production was directed by Herman Grech with Unifaun mainstays Pia Zammit and Mikhail Basmadjian acting. It plays for ten nights to packed houses and standing ovations.
29
The Price of One
The Price of One was a commission of an Edward Bond play by Unifaun and Teatru Manoel. Supported by the Malta Arts Council, it played to considerable houses at Teatru Manoel for three nights, exploring the future of humanity as it teeters towards self destruction.
30
Il-Giddieb Għomru Qasir
Il-Giddieb Għomru Qasir was translated to Maltese by Simone Spiteri off Anthony Neilson's classic comiedy. It featured comic duo Sander Agius and Daniel Chircop together with a set of established comic actors. Unfortunately, it was hampered by crossed wires over the booking of the hall for first night, which affected subsequent ticket sales.
31
The Lying Kind
Il-Giddieb Għomru Qasir was followed by a production of the play in its original English language at the same Theatre. Again, houses were packed and laughter was never an issue. The Lying Kind was directed by Chris Gatt at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, Tal-Qroqq.
32
Unintended
Unintended was the first production by Unifaun to be penned by founder and Artistic Director Adrian Buckle. It was directed by Stephen Oliver at the newly rebranded Spazju Kreattiv and enjoyed unexpected success.
33
Il-Mitt Fehma tal-Kavallier John Giordimaina O.S.C.I.
Unifaun returned to doing Maltese Theatre at Sir Temi Zammit Hall, Tal-Qroqq with another Trevor Żahra original. Directed by Josette Ciappara, this production however did not meet expectations in house numbers which led Unifaun to revise its marketing process.
34
Il-Metamorfosi
Il-Metamorfosi, adapted from Ovid by Adrian Buckle and Trevor Żahra, was Unifaun's first open air production. It was a visual feast with some of its photos being captured worldwide.
35
William Shakespeare's Long Lost First Play
William Shakespeare's Long Lost FIrst Play penned by the Reduced Shakespeare Company, ran at Spazju Kreattiv for ten nights. Unfortunately, it was also in those days that journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated, which meant that the country was not in the mood for frolic.
36
Collapse
Collapse was the third play penned by Adrian Buckle. It was directed by Dave Barton at Spazju Kreattiv with a completely foreign cast. It was also supported by the Malta Arts Council and exploited every possibility the theatre offered, making it another visual feast.
37
En Folkefiende
With the country still traumatised by the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, Unifaun took it on itself to mark the event through Theatre and discuss the limits of Freedom of Expression. We did this by producing Brad Birch's adaptation of Ibsen's classic An Enemy of the People at Blue Box Theatre. Journalists were invited on opening night, to comment on the situation of Freedom of Expression in Journalism, as reflected by the play.
38
Game
Game, a joint commission by Teatru Malta and Unifaun, was staged at Ta' Qali Stadium and directed by Lisa Ferlazzo Natoli. It was the second open air production presented by Unifaun. Sadly it suffered badly from the timing of ther play, which coincided with the 2018 World Cup.
39
Stitching
Stitching was finally performed at the Teatru Manoel Black Studio in 2019 after the European Court decided in favour of Unifaun and against the censors led by Ms Theresa Friggieri. Obviously, it sold out, putting to bed arguments that it was detrimental to human morals.
40
Tebut Isfar
Tebut Isfar was to be Unifaun's final production in Maltese. Supported by the Arts Council Malta, it was an orginal play by Clare Azzopardi, directed by Marcelle Teuma, about the soulless gentrification of Valletta.
41
The Acrobat (Blood Ties)
Following an adaptation from Agnes Moon's book The Acrobat by Adrian Buckle, the script was prepared with Stephen Oliver directing an international cast at Spazju Kreattiv.
42
Macbeth
It was very fitting that Unifaun's final performance should be a Shakespeare play. Macbeth was coproduced with Teatru Manoel and supported by Arts Council Malta. It was directed by maverick British director Clive Judd and featured sound design by award winning Giles Thomas.