Kumpanija Teatru Rjal kicked off in June 1992 with the staging of Rock Opera "Pawlu 2000". By the end of the previous year, I was thinking about creating a theatrical company after I had been away from organising for 22 years. I shared the idea with Tony Scott (who at the time had a recording studio) and he accepted to become my partner in the new company, a post he held until 1999. From then on, I managed the company by myself.
Excited with the huge success of "Pawlu 2000" in Gozo, we consulted late composer Dominic Grech and author Giovann Cauchi who both accepted to take the production to Malta too.
The process was never easy, given the fact that in Malta the performances were to be held in an open air venue. Originally, the production was planned to be staged in the Royal Opera House remains, but as works were being undertaken on that particular site, no permission was issued. Instead, we accepted to perform in St Francis Ravelin, Floriana.
Joe Quattromani who directed "Pawlu 2000" came out with the idea of naming the company after the ruined Opera House in order to make everyone aware that after all these years, the site is still in shambles.
Things got underway and ultimately the first performance was held on the 14th of June 1992 under the patronage of the then Minister of Culture Hon Michael Frendo, who had given his most valuable contribution to make the dream come true. For the first time in Malta, the production was recorded on a double cd album mastered in London.
"Pawlu 2000" was only the first in a chain of evergrowing successful popular productions. The next production was based on Fr. Harry Born's classic local novel "Is-Salib tal-Fidda" with Frederick Camilleri's script.
Productions throughout the years that are worth mentioning include Frederick Camilleri's "Gesu ta' Nazaret" in two parts and "Rega' Sebah" with original music by Tony Scott to Paul Micallef's lyrics based on the passion of Jesus Christ. Other notable productions include popular feature film "Sister Act" scripted for stage performance by Anna Dalli, "Diana - Queen of Hearts" an original musical composed by Mro. Joe Brown and penned by Joe Julian Farrugia, Frederick Camilleri's "Scrooge" and "Is-Sette Giugno" composed by Brian Muscat and written by Adrian Scerri.
Kumpanija Teatru Rjal is undoubtedly renowned for staging comedies. For four years in a row, the company produced plays in the Karmena Abdilla series with the famous character created by the late Charles Clews as protagonist. "It-Tieg ta' Karmena Abdilla", "Il-Honeymoon ta' Karmena Abdilla", "Karmena Abdilla 10 snin wara t-Tieg" and "Il-Hajja ta' Karmena Abdilla" were not only complete sellouts, but the number of performances at the Catholic Institute Auditorium remain the theatre's record till this very day.
A landmark in our history is unquestionably 2001 when the company was entrusted to produce the annual Christmas Pantomime in Maltese in collaboration with the Catholic Institute direction. This was not an easy step, but with the dedication of all involved, the series of pantos has been running for nine years and has become an annual appointment for local theatre goers during Christmas time. The pantos were:
- 2001 - SINDIRELLA by Trevor Zahra.
- 2002 - IS-SBEJHA U L-MOSTRU by Trevor Zahra.
- 2003 - IL-MILIED BY CHARLIE CHAPLIN by Hector Bruno.
- 2004 - GAHAN U SAMINA JINHABBU FIL-MEDINA by Hector Bruno and Pawlu Micallef.
- 2005 - LAURIE & HARDY FIL-KASTELL BY HARRY POTTER by Hector Bruno.
- 2006 - ALADDIN U T-TIFLA TAL-GRANMASTRU by Jose' Micallef.
- 2007 - POPEYE U L-PASTIZZI TAL-ISPINACI by Jose' Micallef.
- 2008 - IT-TLIET MUSKETTIERI F'TART CITY by Jose' Micallef.
- 2009 - SNOW WHITE U S-SEBA' QLUB TAD-DEHEB by Anthony Ellul with lyrics by Joe Julian Farrugia.
Kumpanija Teatru Rjal produced concerts which attracted crowds of locals and tourists alike to the theatre. These include "Just Musicals 1, 2 and 3" and "Movie Musicals from Screen to Stage" and "Best of the Beast".
"Rakkont" was a Claudette Pace concert which the company produced with the help of the same singer. Crowd pullers "Simpatici" and "Dun Benit" in collaboration with Hermann Bonaci Productions and the classic "Madame X" were also important landmarks in the history of the company. It is impossible to name all the productions in this page, but everyone is kindly asked to find information about each and every production throughout the years in the Archives section.
The company was also the pioneer in organising drama courses for many years, but had to stop due to the amount of time involved.
Kumpanija Teatru Rjal wishes to thank all those who contributed in one way or another throughout the years for its success. Naming particular people would make it easier to forget someone, but permit me to name our evergreen audience who always honoured us with its active presence and all media who supported us all the way.
Apart from this page, in the five sections in the website, one may find the Archives section, a Tribute section dedicated to all late contributors, a section about productions to come and a section where one may book Online for all Teatru Rjal productions.
Thanks
Pawlu Testa
Producer Kumpanija Teatru Rjal
1st October 2009
NB: The direction wishes to thank Joe Cassar for the corrections and Joe Julian Farrugia for translations.
In the photograph, Pawlu Testa who is still the director to date.
