Anthony Bezzina, FTCL in Directing (Musical Theatre), is the Director and Founder of Masquerade Malta, a leading creative industries organisation dedicated to delivering high-quality theatre and performing arts experiences across Malta. Over the years, Masquerade Malta has played a pivotal role in shaping the local performing arts landscape, creating opportunities for young talent to train, perform, and pursue careers on stage.
Through its productions and educational programmes, the organisation is committed to nurturing creativity, discipline, and the practical skills required to succeed in the competitive world of theatre.
In this interview, Bezzina reflects on his journey, the vision behind Masquerade Malta, and the importance of supporting the next generation of performers as they navigate the transition from stage training to professional careers.
Anthony Bezzina
Can you tell us about your background and how Masquerade began?
I’ve been working in theatre for about 40 years as the school principal, director and producer. Nearly three decades ago, while I was directing a production, I was approached by somebody working in the industry who suggested I should start offering exams. I was then introduced to the Trinity College London drama syllabus. That was the starting point for what eventually led to Masquerade introducing drama exams in Malta.
What is Masquerade today?
Today, we are one of the largest performing arts schools on the island. We have our own dedicated building, M Space, which houses 17 studios and a theatre. We are proud to now teach a second generation of students—children of former students. We are also a multilingual school, which reflects the diversity of our community.
How has Trinity influenced your work and your students?
Trinity College London has had a very positive impact on everything we do through its exams. Many of our students use Trinity qualifications when applying to schools in the UK, and it gives them a strong advantage. The Trinity syllabus allows us to explore a wide range of authors, including international ones, which enriches the students’ learning experience.
What benefits do students gain from these exams?
The benefits are significant. Students develop confidence, discipline, and a deep understanding of theatre. The exams also open job opportunities as certificates show relevant skills on the CV and help students discover what they truly want to pursue, especially through group work, which is an important part of the process.
What role does performance play at Masquerade?
Performance is central to what we do. We regularly produce large-scale shows—right now we are working on Grease. These productions give students real stage experience and complement the structured learning they receive through Trinity exams.
Can you share some success stories?
We’ve had many. Over the years, at least 50 of our students have gone on to work in the UK theatre industry, and Trinity exams played a key role in giving them the initial foundation. More recently, one of our students, who is playing Sandy in our current production of Grease, has secured interviews with two prestigious schools and will begin her studies this September. It’s a wonderful example of how these opportunities can grow from the combination of training, exams, and performance experience.
How would you describe your relationship with Trinity?
There is a strong synergy. Trinity supports what we aim to do as a school, and we align closely with their standards and vision. It’s a partnership that benefits both teachers and students.
Any final thoughts?
Trinity remains one of the best exam providers in the field. It has helped shape generations of performers, and we believe it’s important to continue building on that momentum.
Anthony Bezzina
“Trinity supports what we aim to do as a school, and we align closely with their standards and vision.”