Aldith Gauci - Theatre Studies student, University of Malta

Dear Ms. Judie Christie,

I am a student of Theatre Studies at the University of Malta. Although I feel I am not as influential in the theatre sector, and do not afford to give help financial or otherwise, I consider it my duty to support and show appreciation for the Centre for Performance Research (CPR) at this critical time. Theatre studies and innovation is still as yet not as recognized in Malta and students like me have to face the day-to-day difficulty in sharing our points of views with other members of society. It is in this perspective that I open heartedly appreciate the work of CPR as a centre that supports the works of artists and shows hope for those, like me, that are still at the beginning of their career.

The almanac of the work of CPR from 1974 until today is evidence of the fundamental work that CPR has conducted. What I mostly appreciate is the constant impetus to pair the training programs with the theoretical study of theatre and performance. This is not only done through the collection of resources that are available at the CPR for those interested but especially through the number of meetings that accompany the praxis. Hence, I feel that the link CPR has with the University of Aberystwyth is fundamental for CPR to continue to offer such a variety of pioneering projects and works. It is evident that projects taken on by CPR, such as publishing books and housing a Resource Centre has been beneficial to the University of Aberstwyth, as well as students like me that could be able to buy invaluable books such as the writings of Eugenio Barba. It is thanks to CPR that we have come to acknowledge these groundbreaking works of performers and scholars in the theatre field.

In my opinion, it is also through this close collaboration that an English-language National Theatre for Wales with the standards described by Arts Council of Wales (ACW) can be put up. I am disappointed that ACW could not realize the position of theatre with regards "front-line activity". With the way things are going in the world, going away from the scientific economy, onto the creative economy, it is a shame if CPR is not considered to be front-line. Although I have not as yet attended any of the projects it is through CPR that I have come to acknowledge the University of Aberystwyth. I am in fact applying to study at the University next academic year (2008-09), due to its close collaboration with CPR. It is for this reason I would like ACW to recognize CPR as a relevant institution that can fulfil its aims for the projects in Wales and put Wales on the map. It is after all, what attracted me to study at Aberystwyth.

I thank you for your time and work at the CPR. I can only hope that the decision of ACW can be reconsidered and that CPR could once again be able to function at its best to continue to provide space for encounter.

Yours truly,

Aldith Gauci

Malta, Europe