Alan Montanaro - Actor and script writer
PERHAPS ALAN IS BEST LOVED FOR HIS PANTO ROLES, however, his theatrical cocktail is mixed, varied and colourful.
His lanky legs have earned him a couple of roles as the stereo-typical British policeman. In fact his debut at the Manoel Theatre was as a copper in Joe Orton’s "What the Butler Saw", closely followed by another policeman in "Run For Your Wife". He was promoted to Chief Detective in a play entitiled " To Dies For".
He played in a number of Shakespeare productions. Namely as Fabian in "Twelfth Night" and Senator Sinna in "Julius Ceasar". His Shakespearean versatility is unquestionable and was put to the test when he single-handedly played the entire Egyptian and Roman Army in "Anthony & Cleopatra" simultaneously (a task he cunningly accomplished by subtly switching helmets before each entrance!).
Following his performances of Sir Algernon Montcrieff and Lord Goring in Oscar Wilde’s "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "An Ideal Husband" respectively he was dubbed "a fine Wildean actor". Other memorable characters played by Alan are that of Jay Spencer in Michael Pertwee’s hilarious "Do Not Disturb" and Bruce Delamitri in Ben Elton’s notorious "Popcorn".
His musical repertoire is just as varied having played Motle the tailor in "Fiddler on the Roof", Sir Evelyn in "Anything Goes" and the creepy Mr Sowerberry in Masquerade’s own "Oliver Twist". His tour de force was playing the part of Albin in "La Cage Aux Folles".
His panto characters have earned him the nickname "Pantonaro", and his portrayal of that arch comic villain Captain Hook in "Peter Pan" is well-remembered and well-loved. His panto dames have become immortal: the snobbish Karmena in "Aladdin"; the frivolous Morlitia in "Alison Wonderland" and the legendary Dame Zeza in "Sinbad the Sailor".
Alan partnered with Edward Mercieca for the prime-time TV variety show "Lanca Gejja" which ran for 13 weeks. Plans to extend the program for a further 13 weeks were quickly dismissed by the boys who feel strongly at having their sometimes ‘cheeky’ sense of humour censored.
Alan’s sheer energy and brand of lunacy for this genre of theatre has encouraged him to take on the ardent task of writing pantomime scripts, and rumour has it that he has just been commissioned to write this year’s Yuletide madness once more. Could it really be "Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood"?
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