The obscenity of censorship

Mario Philip Azzopardi's play, Sulari Fuq Strada Stretta, is about to hit the Manoel Theatre after being banned 35 years ago for being too offensive. The comeback seems to be on everyone's lips but he is already setting the stage for future productions in Maltese.

The film director intends to write a play, or even produce a movie, about illegal immigrants - a topic that would fan up lots of emotion and publicity, in keeping with his style.

But that project is way into the future... Before it, there are two more to go, including his next play, Ix-Xitan Kunjomu Malti, which should be presented at the Manoel Theatre in February 2009.

Yes, Mr Azzopardi is back, and he plans to spend a few months a year in his native Malta, having packed his bags and left for Canada as a consequence of the dispute and controversy that unfolded around the censorship of his play in 1977.

The gist of Ix-Xitan Kunjomu Malti: A girl in Scotland is possessed by the devil and starts talking in Maltese, so she is brought over to Malta. It transpires that the devil is terribly upset because the hatred between the Labour and Nationalist supporters is waning...

"I am at the last stage; the last act," he says, claiming he is stuck. "I want to end it by vanquishing the devil but I am liking his character so much that I don't want him to die. I may actually end up having him get the better of us all. He'll get sent back but we'll all end up pining for him," he concludes, with a deep and diabolical chuckle, seemingly totally immersed in the role.

When he has finished with Beelzebub, next in line is an even "naughtier" play: A satire on sexual mores, or wife swapping, to be more precise. Marti Martek, Martek Marti, the title, says it all! In a nutshell, it is about the search for absolute personal sexual freedom, which is never really attainable.

"It is not a moral play! I don't deal in morality!"

"I'm a storyteller at heart... and I like to light up fires under people's bottoms and see them squirm a little," he laughs.

Meanwhile, the Manoel Theatre is practically sold out over the weekend, the three nights the play is being staged - a first for an original production in Maltese, he claims, hoping not to sound boastful.

It goes to show the thirst for such works, he believes. "Given the chance and the right impetus, the market for Maltese plays exists, especially those that talk about the Maltese."

That may be the case, but Sulari Fuq Strada Stretta is also a particular scenario, having enjoyed 35 years of indirect and unplanned publicity due to the fact that it was banned, its history arousing curiosity. He agrees but is far from fazed by the fuss and hype around the play. "This is theatrics" - part of the deal, he sums up.

Producing the play after three decades is a burden off his chest, which has plagued him throughout. It just had to be staged, warts and all! And it is indeed a moment of sweet revenge.

"Of course it is! I was on the stage the other day, looking at that wonderful theatre. I took a deep breath and said: I'm back!" It could be a scene out of Terminator but there is too much happiness in Mr Azzopardi's voice. He is clearly having fun!

"It is just great to relive that smell of a hint of mould that is settling in the Manoel Theatre (it needs to be cleaned)."

Rehearsals have been underway for eight weeks with a "fantastic" cast and a "sensational" crew. Mr Azzopardi also has words of praise for the theatre's management, complimenting its vision, as well as for Malta's "well of art and passion for it".

With regard to the anticipated feedback, he says: "I want to believe it is going to be good. Oh my goodness, if you cannot sit down and spend an evening of adult entertainment, if you have lost that sense of humour, then perhaps don't come."

Mr Azzopardi is vociferous about a spate of subjects. In fact, he has so much to say that even though the interview is over breakfast at the Phoenicia Hotel, which is hosting him, he does not even get to finish his coffee, let alone help himself to the buffet. For the moment, he seems content with feasting on his staunch opinions and feeding his thoughts.

What he finds hard to swallow though - if not choke on - is censorship: "Malta is still the only country in the EU that has censorship, an idea that dates back from the dinosaurs and should be totally eradicated.

"I am trying to convince people to create plays but not submit them to the censorship board; to defy it! State censorship should not be allowed; it is illegal. They should be ashamed of what they are doing, no matter how good their intentions are. They need to wake up and smell the humus; to realise that they are part of a system that was created to deter democracy...

"The public, of course, has the right to choose not to see what it does not want to see and to persuade others not to either but you cannot stop me from saying anything I like!

"Four people are telling you that you are not mature enough to see or hear certain things. If this is not an affront to your democratic right... then perhaps you should be censored because you have no will of your own!"

Everything goes for Mr Azzopardi... Well not quite. During his untouched breakfast he also has a bone to pick with the public broadcaster for the "intellectual pornography" it airs on TV.

The "absolute mediocrity" on Maltese TV makes his stomach churn. Most of it is "horrendous and demeaning", he says of the programmes PBS has farmed out, without any quality control.

"It is a public service but it is giving up its sacrosanct duty by letting any Tom, Dick or Harry, with enough money to buy an hour of airtime, to be the public broadcaster. It is unheard of!"

And, finally, he can eat...