Laughter is the best medicine

A troupe of young actors is rehearsing a French comedy - Doctor Knock Or The Triumph of Medicine - which will be presented in Maltese.

The Maltese version, re-written and directed by Narcy Calamatta, was suggested by medical students who had seen it in other student productions in Europe. The 1924 comedy by Jules Romains is regularly presented in schools as a French literary text and at medical schools to raise students' awareness about their pending Hippocratic Oath.

The new cultural NGO Zararti will present Dr Knock at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall of the University at Tal-Qroqq on November 15 and 16 .

Most of the actors are new Zararti members. Zararti, a coffee shop society for artists from all realms of art, welcomes any artist who wishes to participate in its activities. For this production, it has invited two young designers, Daniela Attard and Letizia Cachia, newly graduated from MCAST, to produce the costumes and scenery.

The leading role of Docteur Knock will be interpreted by Stefan Farrugia in his first leading role.

Newcomer Claire Marie Busuttil will appear in the effervescent part of Felicie, the maid turned improvised nurse. Ms Busuttil, 20, was crowned Miss Malta and has acted in a number of TV dramas. This will be her first role on stage.

Young Anna Bassily has a string of comedy parts to her credit. In Dr Knock she will be the Deus-Ex-Machina of the piece as the madame turned-hotelier-turned clinic owner/administrator.

The cast includes 15 character roles and a chorus of 12 children. The children are busy learning the three French nursery rhymes they have to sing in addition to performing two fantasy scenes dressed as microbes and as rats.

The style of the piece will be in the renowned Narcy Calamatta physical theatre, with lashes of Lazzi and comedy routines. This will be an innovative, entertaining theatre experience from the young for the young at heart, a spokesman for the promoters said.

Booking is open from St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, Valletta, tel. 2122 3200 or via e-mail at boxoffice@sjcav.org.