Edinburgh Napier University

Tell us a bit about yourself. 

I am an Edinburgh-based Maltese Director and Theatre-maker. I have most recently been Associate Director to Wils Wilson on David Greig's 'Two Sisters' at the Royal Lyceum Theatre and also directed the 5-star "Delicious and Brutal" God Of Carnage by Yazmina Reza for the National Theatre of Malta. I was the Artistic Director of the Edinburgh International Book Festival's EXPO Funded 'Scotland Through Time' shows, Assistant Producer on the Royal Lyceum Theatre's 'Wonder Festival' and directed the show Utter Filth at the Traverse Theatre and have regularly directed commercially and critically successful shows for A Play, A Pie & A Pint. 

In Malta, I've directed mainstage productions that include a translation of Harold Pinter's The Hot House for the National Theatre of Malta (Teatru Malta), David Hare's Skylight, An adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt with the original orchestrations for Malta's National Philarmonic Orchestra and have also served as a dramaturg on a production for the National Dance Company, Zfin Malta. 

Why did you choose to study at Edinburgh Napier University? 

After my undergraduate degree, I always knew that I wanted to do a Postgraduate degree in Theatre Directing but wasn’t sure where or which course would be the right one. Then I remember my family and I were visiting the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which I had previously attended as part of a show which had transferred there; and being back in Edinburgh, just made me remember what an incredible and unique city it is. I clearly remember (as if it was yesterday) that I was standing on Victoria Street and I remember wondering, ‘just imagine, if there was a directing course in this wonderful city’ and little did I know, that there actually was and I would discover the course I would exactly be looking.   

What attracted you into studying your course? 

I think my decision came down to Four factors: 

• The Shape and Structure of the Course Itself – The prospect of having the two years to have more space to learn, develop and grow – was just so appealing.
• The Content – After having my first information session about the course, I just fell in love with the openness of the course, and how it overlapped and allowed freedom us to work with other courses. We worked closely with the Acting Courses and were allowed to attend sessions on the Playwrighting Degree. It was so refreshing to see and feel that the most important thing, was our growth and development, and the path that we felt was right to get us there. 
• The Mentors – I definitely couldn’t pass on the opportunity to work so closely and be mentored by experienced and well-respected tutors like Mark Thomson, Donna Soto-Morettini and May Subwanyambe.   
• The City – There are only a few cities in the world that measure up to Edinburgh. The City, doesn’t feel metropolitan, but actually feels like a village. The peace and tranquillity is unmatched and provides the perfect setting and backdrop to one’s studies.    

Has your course given you any practical opportunities out-with standard teaching? 

I'll speak about one particular example of how it was through my course that I started my relationship with the Royal Lyceum Theatre. In second year, as part of the course, we needed to undertake a placement. This was a perfect opportunity to reach out to a theatre that I hold a great affinity for, the Royal Lyceum Theatre. They agreed to allow me to undertake a Literary Placement with the Literary Associate at the Theatre. This was incredible as it not only allowed me to work within the Literary Department, and closely with the Literary Associate but allowed me to see the inner workings of the Theatre, meeting and working with the staff including the Artistic Director and the Head of Producing. Following my graduation, The Lyceum approached me to consider coming on-board as an assistant producer on their Wonder Festival – this continued strengthening my relationship with the Theatre. After expressing to the Theatre my interest and wish to work as an associate director on a production and following numerous conversations to look for the right project, in 2024 I was made Associate Director to Wils Wilson on David Greig's 'Two Sisters' at the Royal Lyceum Theatre. So, all this can be traced back from the placement as part of the Edinburgh Napier University’s Directing course.  

Do you have any highlights of studying at Edinburgh Napier University? 

I think when I look back, what I really value is the constant support we were shown by our lecturing staff. You could feel that they believed in each of us and wanted each of us to succeed but still allowed us space to explore ourselves and our craft, make mistakes and learn from them. There are moments that I find myself in within my professional career now, that I am so grateful I had understood exactly how to approach or deal with because of moments or scenarios that happened with the classes at the University, under the guidance of our tutors.  

Have you faced any challenges? 

The most obvious challenge, I would say, would be the COVID Pandemic – which struck halfway through year one and two. I still remember that on Tuesday we were in class, on Wednesday we were asked to stay home, on Thursday I was back in Malta after our country requested all Maltese Nationals return before all borders close. That being said, what was impressive was just how Edinburgh Napier University dealt with the constant dramatic changes. They were very quick to adapt the course, so we still felt like our development hadn’t been stifled by the pandemic. Everything moved online, and assignments were adapted, so quickly – it was impressive. Our Tutors regularly checked in with each of us and how we were doing, sometimes on a daily basis – this was especially appreciated in my case, given I had to undergo quarantine on my arrival to Malta. Overall, it felt like the University was there for me at a very tricky time, from both a professional and also personal side, and is something I will always be grateful for.   

Would you recommend the course to others? If so, why? 

Definitely! I always tell, each prospective student who reaches out to me, that this was the perfect course I was looking for. It allowed me space to grow and develop, under the watchful eye of some incredible tutors. It allowed me the freedom I was looking for to really understand what type of director and artist I wanted to be, and come into my own – and I firmly believe I managed to achieve that.   

What key skills have you learnt from your university experience? 

The key skills that I have learnt are -

• Communication 
• Leadership 
• Clarity 
• People-management  
• Foresight 

Can you sum up your student experience of living in Edinburgh in three words? 

Tranquil, Engrossing and Freeing.

What advice would you give to anyone considering studying this course? 

If you are looking for a course that really allows you the space and freedom to explore, and understand who you are as a person and what type of artist you can be, while supported by some of the best tutors who are constantly challenging and aiding in your growth and development, all housed within a wonderful campus with some fantastic facilities, then this is the course for you.  

What’s next for you? 

I will be directing a mainstage show in Autumn ’24 for an English theatre in Belgium, called The Bridge, and am currently working on developing a National Playreading Service and a Playwright Database of the Maltese Theatre Sector, through support from the Malta Arts Council.