theatre – Steffi Thake

July 13, 2015July 13, 2015

Another 2 done!

I’m finally able to write something about my experiences on 2 great productions!

1. 13 Hours – Michael Bay

I got the most amazing opportunity to take part in Michael Bay’s latest movie along side some amazing actors! It was a once in a lifetime opportunity to work with him and I do hope that more movies come my way in the future. Being on a set is addictive! You get terribly starry-eyed, which is very difficult to put aside – you just want to chase your dreams even more after an experience like that!

I also got to work along side some incredible Maltese talent that I had not had the opportunity to get to know in the past. Some incredible people, with big hearts and huge, contagious smiles that I really miss now that it’s all over. Not to mention all the great crew I got to know and meet along the way as well – both local and foreign. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I will not be forgetting it any time soon.

Here’s the IMDB listing for the movie. Check it! I’m listed there! 😀

2. Jack and His Beanstalk – Steve Hili

Yes, another great, hilarious and very successful show written and directed by the one and only – Steve Hili. We had a fantastic run, got to open another night after selling out 2 shows and performing to full houses and most people loved the show! I say ‘most people’, if you don’t know Steve’s writing you can either love it or hate it. I believe that Steve writes about things that people are afraid to laugh about and we need more of that in this country. We are so uptight sometimes.

I am happy to say that I got to work with people I’d already worked with before and people who I didn’t. People who I love and who inspire me. Supportive friends and ridiculously talented people all round.

We didn’t get a good crit in the Times, however, that is just one person’s opinion! The rest of the audiences loved the show and that’s the most important thing to take on board when something like that happens. What did most of the audience think of it? If they didn’t like the show then that’s too bad! Other people will love it 🙂 And they did!

Now! To work on my Diploma and the next production in October: A HANDBAG – directed by Andy Smith. Look out for us!

May 20, 2015May 20, 2015

Next up … SUMMER PANTO!

After a couple of months working on other projects that have yet to be released … I will soon being working on Steve Hili’s Summer Panto: Jack and His Beanstalk. I know what you’re thinking … “shouldn’t it be ‘Jack and THE Beanstalk’?” No … it’s ‘HIS Beanstalk’, because this is Steve Hili and dirty things are implied.

I will be working along side some of Malta’s top comedians including: Pia Zammit, Colin Fitz, Chiara Hyzler, PJ Xerxen, Maxine Aquilina, Naomi Said and Joe Depasquale. We will be performing at the University Theatre (Sir Temi Zammit Hall) on the 4th and 11th July! You can book your tickets from www.ticketline.com.mt. Here’s our FB event page for more info. JAHB

Book your tickets NOW because they’re selling pretty quickly! That could also have something to do with the fact that there’s a super amazing Early Bird offer on until the end of May where you can buy 2 tickets and get the 3rd one free! So find a couple a be their third wheel for the night! And if you already are part of a couple … then find another 2 couples and get 2 free tickets instead of just 1! It’s called MATHS! 😀

Hope to see you all there! 🙂 xx

P.S. here’s the video for the first music video I’ve ever done. Enjoy!

February 9, 2015May 20, 2015

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight – Audience Comments

Here are some lovely comments from the audience members of our first 3 nights:

“Saw it yester. Well done to all the actors and the production team especially to the leading lady and director. At times it felt like a comedy but the scares were real!”

“Watched a great thriller story, staged at MADC Clubrooms last night. We all love that element of mystery that has us jumping off our seats, it truly is one not to be missed, I highly recommend you book for next weekend if you haven’t yet …Well Done Colin Azzopardi, Steffi Thake, Joe Depasquale, Gianni Selvaggi & Becky d’Ugo!! Break legs for the rest of the run:)”

“A massive well done to Steffi Thake, Joe Depasquale and Gianni Selvaggi for their incredible performance in I’ll Be Back Before Midnight. I only watched half of it for having my hands over my eyes, and I won’t be able to sleep tonight, but that was just outstanding. So so so so proud of you all.”

“Fantastic!!! Well done to all”

“Amazing performance!! Kept me on the edge of my seat. Bravi!!”

“Watched the performance on Friday and what a brilliant show, well done to all involved. Excellent set, strong performance and excellent direction kept me jumping off my seat”

“Really enjoyed yesterday’s show!!! Bravi tassew!!”

“Well done! Watched the performance last Friday, really enjoyed it!”

“HIGHLY RECOMMENDED high calibre play from MADC which was a total EXPERIENCE to watch! Not to be missed… And try to sit as close to the stage as possible”

“I must congratulate the cast on a spectacular performance yesterday; The play was executed brilliantly! This was the first play I watched from MADC, but it will definitely not be the last! Thank you”

“Great show … witty humour and engaging suspense! Very well interpreted by the cast and masterfully directed by Colin Azzopardi! Well done … all involved!!!!”

You can catch the last 3 shows of I’ll Be Back Before Midnight this weekend (13th, 14th and 15th February) at the MADC Clubrooms in Santa Venera!

Tickets are available online: www.madc.com.mt and bookings by phone on 7777 6232 This line is open between 10am and 6pm

February 4, 2015May 20, 2015

Time for some motivation …

Why do I act?

It’s my therapy. I forget everything when I’m doing it … I forget I’m sick, that my leg hurts, that my relative passed away, that I’m having a rough time at my day job … everything. I’m not me anymore, I’m someone else for a short while. It’s quite an escape.

I love to hear an audiences reaction. I want to go on a stage or behind a camera and leave an impression on someone. Even if it is just one person … I’ve done my job. Touching someone’s heart and making them feel something, anything, is why I do it.

It’s challenging. I’m so grateful for every opportunity that comes my way. I love to find a challenge in every role. Something new that I didn’t do before. It’s worked so far. But then again I haven’t done much yet. I have much to learn. That’s another thing … I learn something new every role I play; whether it’s about myself or about the craft. There’s always something to learn.

It’s something I know I’m not terrible at. There are so many things that I’ve failed at doing in life. Things that I was picked on for. I’ve finally found the place where I belong. Where I can keep growing and learning and meeting new people and figuring out who I am and what I’m all about. And meeting and working with great people while doing it 🙂

The actors below also answered the question perfectly for me …

January 19, 2015January 19, 2015

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight!

by Peter Colley

Directed by Colin Azzopardi

FB Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1385170341787751/?pnref=story

MADC kicks off with its Playhouse productions at the Clubrooms in Santa Venera with a spine-chilling mixture of suspense and shocks, with just the right amount of comedy added in I’ll Be Back Before Midnight ‘written by Peter Colley and directed by Colin Azzopardi.

After several months in hospital following a nervous breakdown, Jan, Steffi Thake, is brought to an isolated farmhouse by her husband Greg, Gianni Selvaggi, ostensibly to complete her recovery. But unsettling things start to happen almost as soon as they arrive. First, Greg’s sister Laura, Becky D’Ugo, with whom he seems to have an unnaturally close relationship, arrives, much to Jan’s dismay. There is also George, Joe Depasquale, the rather strange and slightly demented old farmer who lives nearby. And then there are the flickering lights, the mysterious heartbeats, the hand in the window, the blood on the floor… A nightmare of frightening occurrences results in a thrilling and heart-stopping ending which will leave your audiences gasping!

Peter Colley’s THRILLER COMEDY has been produced in 29 countries including Munich, Germany at the famous Theatre Blutenburg where it ran for many months in a German translation, in the U.S., Ireland, Jamaica, South Africa and Australia, Nairobi, Kenya, New Zealand and a National Tour of Britain including the world famous Cambridge Footlights theatre.

I’ll Be Back Before Midnight runs for two weekends at the MADC Playhouse; 6th, 7th 8th and 13th, 14th, 15th February. Tickets at €10 for the first night and at €15 for the following performances. Doors open at 7pm.

Tickets are available online: www.madc.com.mt and bookings by phone on +356 7777 6232 This line is open between 10am and 6pm.

January 5, 2015May 20, 2015

Next Up …

The Christmas Panto has come and gone! It was a fantastic experience working with so many new people and such talent!

Working with Malcolm Galea is always a privilege. It was my first time being directed by him and I am very grateful for the opportunity he has given me. I look forward to working with him again!

Working with Chiara, my partner in crime, was also quite the experience. Having to work so physically close to someone and to think as half of a person was quite the challenge. Being so restricted in our costume was quite challenging as well. I almost had a couple of panic attacks because of the claustrophobia, but thankfully Chiara was there to calm me down. I think we made a great team and I will miss working with her.

Next up I am working on a play written by Peter Colley called I’ll Be Back Before Midnight. I’ll be playing the part of Jan, a young woman who has just come out of a mental hospital after having a nervous breakdown. She moves to live in the country with her husband when strange things start to happen around her.

Our director is Colin Azzopardi and the play is being produced by the MADC. Click here for more information!

Booking for this play opens on the 12th January and will be running over 2 weekends: 06 – 08 February and 13 – 15 February. The first night is selling at a discount of €10 per ticket. All other tickets are at €15.

Hope to see you there! 🙂

December 22, 2014May 20, 2015

Thoughts from the Audience

Here are some lovely comments from the audience members of our first 3 nights:

“It was wonderful dear! well done to all the cast, I really enjoyed myself ! * sings the patata song..lool * p.s. Good luck for the rest of the shows.”

“We were at the panto last night and I just wanted to say a very big well done! We really enjoyed it … Brilliant!”

“Congrats loved the show! well done.”

“A huge well done to Alan Montanaro and everyone who took park in merry poppins- a fantastic show! I recommend everyone goes to see it!”

“You did it again fantastic Panto – well done to all – great voices and great talent all round – you should be on Broadway.”

“Hi just wanted to congratulate you on an excellent panto performance.. Enjoyed every minute of it.. Well done!”

“great panto you looked fab as always”

“Well done to everyone involved. We really had a fantastic time”

“Well done to all involved !! Great show ! Fantastic singing !! Chiara Hyzler & Steffi Thake you killed me with your song !”

“Just got back home from the panto..as usual it was great. A big well done to all actors, they are professionals…and everyone who works behind the scene. Looking forward for next Dec for another wonderful panto…..”

“What a blast! Side splitting, tear inducing laughter! Well done to all!”