Nassaba: Song of a Bird

Nassaba: Song of A Bird, is a portrait of a disappearing practice – a way of being in nature and a game in which parent and child forge a generational bond. Jimmy Grima followed his father with a camera to the fields on the Maltese rocky coasts, where until recently he went to catch migratory birds. 

In a one-hour performance, Jimmy incorporated the video material to present the emotional world of the Maltese bird catchers and their bird-learned songs.

From the outset, we decided to perform in a number of locations, to ensure that the audience met us and the subject in a non-theatrical setting. I did not wish to portray the trappers as a spectacle on stage, but rather facilitate a space for a discovery of their practice. We found traditional social clubs to provide a safe environment for the encounter, and the audience experienced the performance in unconventional spaces.

19 Nov 2022 – Liege BE, Teatre di Liege
30 Oct 2021 – Floriana MT, European Theatre Convention
28 Aug 2021 – Zurich CH,  Zürcher Theater Spektakel
27 Aug 2021 – Zurich CH, Zürcher Theater Spektakel
26 Aug 2021 – Zurich CH,  Zürcher Theater Spektakel
19 Aug 2021 – Den Bosc NL, Festival Boulevard
18 Aug 2021 – Den Bosc NL, Festival Boulevard
17 Aug 2021 – Den Bosc NL, Festival Boulevard
12 Oct 2018 – Floriana MT, Scouts Headquarters
13 Oct 2018 – Mellieħa MT, La Vittoria Band Club
14 Oct 2018 – Xagħra Gozo MT, Cirklu taż-Żgħażagħ
16 Oct 2018 – Mqabba MT, Soċjetà Santa Marija
17 Oct 2018 – Senglea MT, Senglea Homing Club
18 Oct 2018 – Buskett MT, Palazzo Verdala

By Jimmy Grima  Authors Jimmy Grima, Michael Grima, Joachim Robbrecht Choir Michael Grima, Louis Camilleri Drmaturgical Advise Joachim Robbrecht, Maria Rößler Surtitles Ira Melkonyan Translations & Transcriptions Julia Camilleri Production Design tiny island studio Bird Trap Model Michael Grima Filming and Editing Jimmy Grima Post and Additional Editing Chris Goa Farrugia Sound Design and Mastering Mario Sammut Thanks to Prof. Mark Anthony Falzon and Ira Melkonyan Producers, the rubberbodies in collaboration with Teatru Malta.