Producers to defy stage ban

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 16th 2009, 10:28

@ K Pullicino:

"I want to go around Malta naked. I'm not bothering anyone; who are you to stop me?"

If you do, children might see you. Also, adults who would not like to see such a sorry sight would be compelled to see you too. Children can't watch Stitching, and only adults who want to will attend the play.

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 16th 2009, 10:25

@ Karl Abela:

I don't share your culture and religion. Speak for yourself, and stop playing daddy.
___________________

@ GiovDeMartino:

Hoping that everyone who defies the ban will get arrested? That would make your day, wouldn't it? As for becoming a "pajjiz tal-mickey mouse", don't worry. We already are.

Pity there was no Timesofmalta.com back in the 80's. I'm sure Mr DeMartino would have posted a comment saying that he wishes all the people broadcasting illegally from Sicily would get arrested.

Adrian Buckle

Feb 16th 2009, 07:20

@Evelyn Grech
Please note that there are no murdered teens in the play. The reference is to a very disturbed moment of the female character in the play who says she could do such a thing now that her child died after falling out of the cradle. What the Board of Classifiers and its supporters are not saying is that the other character immediately covers her mouth and tells her to shut up and not to say such sick things.

Please Evelyn, before posting, make sure you know what you're talking about. It will save you from being duped from these people 'who know best'. And yes, if I back off from this unlawful act against Freedom of Expression, I wouldn't dare look my children in the eye for being a coward.

Evelyn Grech

Feb 3rd 2009, 21:18

@ Adrian Buckle

If I were in your shoes I wouldn't be able to look at my children in the eyes IF I WERE TO PRODUCE THE PLAY!!!

Do you have no feelings for the family of those five murdered teens? What if one of them were one of your children - GOD FORBID!

Alex Vella Gregory

Jan 30th 2009, 12:19

@ K Pullicino

When you go to watch a play you do so out of your own free will, and it happens within a space where only those who to are watching. Going around Malta naked means that you are forcing people to watch (even if momentarily) something they do not want to, since it happens in a public space.

However, personally, if you want to go round naked in this weather, be my guest....

Michelle Sant

Jan 30th 2009, 12:07

Quite frankly what the play is or isn't about is not the point. In this day and age people should have the right to pick and chose what they want to watch without Big Brother doing it for them. I'm sure Mr Buckle is not going to force anyone to buy tickets for the performance or chain them to their seats. If members of the audience are shocked to the point that they feel they should leave half way through a performance then so be it - but it is as a result of their own, one would assume "informed", choice that they have found themselves in that situation.

As long as the performance is not imposed or anyone or may affect anyone who hasn't taken a conscious decision to watch it then there is no place for cencorship or banning. Come on - let's grow up!!

Oscar Cassar

Jan 30th 2009, 11:31

Haven’t we learnt anything after ‘Sulari fuq Strada Stretta’? Isn’t it unjust that ‘The classification board has not officially given the production company its reasons for the ban’ for such production? Most probably this board still believe that plays are only those written years ago with a language very foreign to our own today. We must educate while encourage drama within our society and not making useless barriers to performing arts. Saying said this I think that on local TV stations we sometimes have more questionable material then the production mentioned here.

If only modern plays where performed more often perhaps a wider range of audience would attend the theatre. I am not against traditional plays like these written by Shakespeare etc, but we, in particular those persons in authoritative positions must give support to culture activities to flourish and why not reflecting current social dialogue within the current society? After all that is what art is all about. Apparently this play is about men's views on women and women's views of men which are portrayed with truth, humour and believability. So let us give it a stage and comment afterwards as most performances encourage us to do.

Franco Rizzo

Jan 30th 2009, 11:13

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOvnIZx7ZWM&fmt=18

Ronald Cauchi

Jan 30th 2009, 07:02

What a sad pathetic country we are! Censorship Boards, People being fined for offending the president, Crimes against religion, A government that makes a church supreme in marriage laws...........................I wonder whether there is more freedom in Afghanistan? Well maybe not, but not by much!

Ann DeMarco

Jan 29th 2009, 23:42

Everyone seems to be obsessed with the Guardian's write up, which is a completely sensationalised version of what happens. It's amazing how people are willing to judge a play by a few comments by a journalist. If you are really interested, this review actually gets the play and understands the humanity and tragedy behind it: http://www.stitchingtheplay.com/pressbrooklynrail.html.
The play does not feature a 'description of a man masturbating over pictures', the Moors murderers reference is not a woman's fantasy. And there are no cheap thrills. But once again, I have to repeat, as others have already, it's really not the point, if you're happy to read these articles and condemn the play, do it for yourself and not for the rest of the audiences who will hopefully come.

Erin Stewart Tanti

Jan 29th 2009, 23:34

Who will watch the watchermen?

Censorship is an abomination to tolerance. How are we to be an openminded society, accepting and understanding in such a multicultural diverse age, if we are being closed out, silenced and herded away from thing too "deviant" or "blasphemous".

This also was great on publicity.

Alex Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 22:36

@ Giovanni De Martino

Here are a few people who defied the law and censorship: Galileo, Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Giuseppe Verdi, Charles Gounod, Voltaire, Leonardo da Vinci, D.H. Laurence...the list can go on forever. Thank God these people have more guts than you have.

There might be perverse sexual fantasies and dildos, but you have to put the into context. SHould we ban Tosca and Romeo & Juliet because it contains suicide? Should we censor all those saucy bits in the Bible which never make it to Sunday Mass? And why not ban altogether Oedipus Rex? I think it' hardly the case...

K. Pullicino

Jan 29th 2009, 21:06

I want to go around Malta naked. I'm not bothering anyone; who are you to stop me?

Adrian Cardona

Jan 29th 2009, 20:33

@ Eric Soames
my apologies for the inaccuracy! I only wanted to point out that Mr.Demartino might enjoy the spartan way of life they follow.
and @ GdM
as history very often shows, stupid and anachronistic laws must often be broken and ridiculed to get them removed.

Edward Caruan Galizia

Jan 29th 2009, 19:42

Well said Chris Gatt! Lets bring down these barriers and threats to our freedom. Am i the only one giggling at the words "Therese Friggieri, could not be contacted for comment yesterday" and " The classification board has not officially given the production company its reasons for the ban. " I wonder why? Is it because they have suddenly realized how wrong they were to do so and now are trying to come up with creative ways of finding a reason? HMMM...i dont know for sure...but they should know that even if they do finally issue a reason why, they are going to have to explain why it took so long to do so in the first place. Now thats another question they will have to get really creative with, i think. If they had a real reason, wouldnt they have said what it is striaght away?

laurence schembri

Jan 29th 2009, 18:58

Dear Giovanni, who says we`re not.

Joseph Schembri

Jan 29th 2009, 18:49

This is what might be considered offensive in the play: "Stitching, a new play by the Scottish writer Anthony Neilson describes a man masturbating over pictures of women being herded into a gas chamber in Auschwitz. A character fantasises about re-enacting the Moors murders, filming her partner sexually abusing the victims' mothers and putting the footage on the web. She mutilates and stitches up her vagina to the strains of "We will stitch it" from the soundtrack to the children's TV programme Bagpuss."

I will certainly not go to see it as I find theater extremely boring. If I want cheap thrills I'd rather watch Eileen Montesin on TVM. At least I can eat popcorn and drink a beer on the sofa while watching it.

D.Galea

Jan 29th 2009, 18:30

Go ahead and DO this play!! Set an example & show those of an orwellian mentality that for every 1 that falls, 10 more shall be rising to follow this example in justice!

Eric Soames

Jan 29th 2009, 18:12

Adrian Cardona: I understand your sentiments but I feel I should point out that the Amish are mostly concentrated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Bible Belt refers to what used to be the Old South. The Amish quietly go about their business in their own way, Southern Baptists on the other hand, will get into yours.

Carmel Camilleri

Jan 29th 2009, 17:39

This is what the UK's Guardian had to say about the play when it was staged during the Edinburgh festival in 2002:

"People left Stitching, a new play by the Scottish writer Anthony Neilson that describes a man masturbating over pictures of women being herded into a gas chamber in Auschwitz. A character fantasises about re-enacting the Moors murders, filming her partner sexually abusing the victims' mothers and putting the footage on the web. She mutilates and stitches up her vagina to the strains of "We will stitch it" from the soundtrack to the children's TV programme Bagpuss.

The first audience members walked out in a scene where the two characters assaulted each other with a plastic phallus. Relatives of victims of the Moors murderers condemned the production, and religious groups are to canvass outside. "

The mere mention of Auschwitz is enough to shock most. Probably, had the anti-xenophobic laws being read by parliament been enacted earlier, staging this play would be an offence under the Criminal Code.

So Mr. Gatt, stage "Stictching" before the third reading or you'll really end up in striped pyjamas.

David Micallef

Jan 29th 2009, 17:36

quoting Tim Rice's lyrics: "Oh What A Circus !... " (local censors) "oh what a show!" (stitching).

@ Savious Porter : save us the morality and the rhetoric: "Being arrogant to authority ??"

no we never advocated anarchism. It's not too much to ask though to have people challenge their own thoughts through theatre for which we will not beg to have it passed via a censor !
If it's not your cup of it we respect your choice and let it be it and just do us a favour and don't attend.

However, if you're hinting to be submissive to theocratic or totalitarian attitudes/thoughts/beliefs/control than I'm afraid you will be asked to take a peek at the nations around you in the EU and hopefully notice that what you're advocating has been put aside quite a few years ago. If you prefer to claim otherwise, c'est la vie, it's your call - Malta will move on - of that we are convinced :)

mikhail basmadjian

Jan 29th 2009, 17:30

It seems for a good number educated, polite, conscientious, exemplary and open-minded individuals, it is more important to ‘appear’ socially, morally and politically correct rather than to stop, listen, think and ‘try’ to accept that perhaps what this play portrays are human situations that happen behind 4walls to each one of us and which most would never admit to due to social stigma. This play does away with social stigma for 1 hour and takes us up close into the lives of a couple who experienced loss and engage in games to keep their sanity.
If this play might make you admit that as a child you may have felt aroused while looking at naked paintings in a temple, and might have consequently materialized your fantasy behind locked doors at home soon after – ban it right?
BTW the now famous Auschwitz line is said in a very melancholy way – the character is confessing his guilt to innocently having had such thoughts as a child – it only makes him more human. No offence to religion or race! Brethren, should we not be more humble?
BUT it’s banning business as usual on the sub-tropical rock- Sic Transit Gloria Melitensis!

GiovDeMartino

Jan 29th 2009, 17:28

Either my English is horrible or some of those commenting on on what I wrote below CANNOT READ MY VERY SIMPLE ENGLISH. I am not interested in the subject. Absolutely not. I am not as clever as them. But if anyone, whoever he may be decides to defy the law, then , YES, he should be arrested. Otherwise even hunters may decide to defy the law. The law is there to be obeyed. If censorship is an anachronism, then remove it. But as long as it is there it has to be obeyed.....

Alan Meadows

Jan 29th 2009, 17:15

I think my reference to "the police" has been misunderstood by some. I was not advocating any police intervention regarding this play. Far from it.

The point I wanted to make was that, there is no need for a Censorship Board. This is unnecessary as there is legislation and the due process of law courts to deal with any activity that may result in or cause a breakdown of law and order. And for a theatrical representation to do such, it must first be performed in public.

So why ban something which has not broken any law. This is aa bit like banning a peaceful demonstration, just because there is a possibility that it could cause trouble.

Adrian Buckle

Jan 29th 2009, 16:39

Guys.

Allow me to thank everyone for their support. However, I'd be more grateful if people stopped mentioning Ms Friggieri as the one banning the play. The play has been banned by the Stage Classification Board. Ms Friggieri just happens to head it.

And yes. I will be producing this play. This is something I strongly believe in. I wouldn't look my children in the eyes if I cowared off.

wally vella-zarb

Jan 29th 2009, 16:33

"Is being arrogant to authority the new way of life.? "

The arrogance is when an 'authority' takes it upon itself to decide what adults may or may not watch.

I am reminded of when we were stopped from staging the modern classic "A View From The Bridge" at The Manoel Theatre because of one scene where one of the older actors kisses another young actor - on the forehead and cheeks - as an insult - implying that he (the younger one) was gay and therefore not worthy enough to start a relationship with the older one's daughter...

But that was in 1966, NOT 2009! Does the "new way of life" include going back to those dark ages?

Rate it '18' by all means but do not ban the production outright. If you do, then the next 'logical' step could well be the blocking of a substantial percentage of what is shown on TV - without any warning - and curtailing access to the Internet, in the manner of what is done in Iran and China.

It would appear that we are truly a 'Pajjiz tal-Mickey Mouse' already!

Paul Vella

Jan 29th 2009, 16:32

Mr Demartino

The way you are reasoning makes me think that you were in favour of the banning of the film Raid on Entebbe during those 'dark socialist years' !!!!!!!

Franco Farrugia

Jan 29th 2009, 16:29

@ Karl Abela: 'We should at least consider age classification to protect our children and teens. The violence and anti-human values (let alone anti-Christian) that they are being fed through TV is horrendous. '

Keep them at home if youw ant to protect your children: be a good parent and see what they are up to.
But please, do not stop me from watching what I want to watch. You have no right to push YOUR values down my throat.

K. Pullicino

Jan 29th 2009, 16:22

"It is absurd to gag an artist in this day and age."

But breaking the law isn't absurd and is all that democracy is about, isn't it?

Paul Vella

Jan 29th 2009, 16:11

What's the fuss for goodness sakes? Just classify the play for a mature audience and get on with it. Are we living in an EU country or in a 'taliban' outpost???????????

Christine Xuereb

Jan 29th 2009, 15:53

There shouldn't be any banning because its up to public to decide what they want to watch.
If the quality is good, it should be shown. But anyhow, anyone should be given freedom to decide what to watch- people seem to enjoy what others might deem not professional.

I say: freedom of expression to the artist and freedom of choice to the general public!

Adrian Cardona

Jan 29th 2009, 15:32

@ DeMartino
stay at home, watch the sunday mass on TV, switch off at 8pm and go to sleep. Or else do us all a favour and if you like to live such a spartan ultra-conservative life go and live in an Amish community in the Bible-Bashing Belt. I'm sure you would be happy there.
Arrest us all indeed!

Eric Gahn

Jan 29th 2009, 15:25

How dare they want to pollute our minds with their plays! How dare they defy thos who ae the moral upkeepers of us poor blind simple illiterate devout citizens. We should burn these theatre folk at the stake on Ash Wednesday. Their insolence can only be cured by fire. Before starting the actual burning I propse that stake's functionality be tested on the Censors.

adrian borg cardona

Jan 29th 2009, 14:41

Mr. DeMartino hopes that anyone who defies the ban will be arrested, Truly, this confirms what Chris Gatt has said - that this is the end of democracy! I cannot imagine that in another EU country people would be arrested for putting up a banned play. What an ugly, dictatorial sentiment! Next thing Mr DeMartino will be advocating is people being arrested for having a different religious persuasion from that of the ruling class.

D Vella

Jan 29th 2009, 14:29

@giovdeMartino

What makes you imagine that we are not??? The fact that we still have antediluvian throwbacks like the censorship board tha 'ban' things that THEY consider offensive, immoral or blasphemous, is testimony to this fact . . . especially when one can watch scenes that are far worse, potentially obscene and offensive on all our communications media ! ! ! !

Ian Waugh

Jan 29th 2009, 14:22

Dear Ms. Friggieri,

As you deem not to talk to the media in Malta or the UK, we are addressing you here.

Anthony Neilson’s ‘Stitching’ is a tried, tested and acclaimed play in other EU member countries.

To what level (if any) does Anthony Neilson’s ‘Stitching’ promote violence or civil unrest?

To what level (if any) does Anthony Neilson’s ‘Stitching’ encourage or promote racism or ethnic intolerance?

Why do you NOT put in writing your precise reasons you have “banned and disallowed” Unifaun’s company from performing Anthony Neilson’s ‘Stitching’?

Have you ever seen this performed in rehearsal or as a performance or have you only come to your decision merely by reading a script?

Are you aware of EU and Council of Europe current views on theatre censorship in an EU member state?

Have you ever heard of ‘Article19’ and are you or have you ever taken advice from them?

A Censorship Board in an EU member country in 2009? How Victorian is that?

Still, as Alan Meadows rightly says … look at the press you are getting!

Robert Callus

Jan 29th 2009, 14:21

Any group or board has the right to free speech and say that they consider something 'shocking' 'immoral' etc. However they should have no right to involve the police for what is shocking them. Just warn their followers and stop there.
Or is some kind of neo-Inquisition on the way in this country?

Does this board analyse daily news too? THe bombing of Gaza for example. If for one thing it is for sure much more shocking than any possible play cause it is true

Pia Zammit

Jan 29th 2009, 13:59

@Alan Meadows
the comment about me running about naked (blaspheming and wielding a pick-axe) was a silly comment i passed on facebook (i was trying to say - lanqas li kieku i was running around naked ... bla bla). in this play i am more than fully clothed throughout i can assure you. as is mike basmadjian.
and yay to everything else you said :-)

Saviour Porter

Jan 29th 2009, 13:51

' However, the producers' lawyers have assured them that since the play is not blasphemous or obscene, if they do put it up anyway they can only be found guilty of small contraventions and petty fines, rather than police arrests and prison time.'
(Without going into the merits of the case)
Is it OK for lawyers to advocate small contraventions.????
What kind of messages are professional people projecting especially to the young.?
Is being arrogant to authority the new way of life.?
No wonder the country is going to the dogs

Isabelle Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 13:46

I wish some people would get off their sanctimony pony and actually read the play.

Joe Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 13:45

@ Giov. DeMartino

Then the cops are going to need quite a few buses !!! Come on man this is theatre we are talking about not the price of onions.

K.M. Vella

Jan 29th 2009, 13:32

@ giovDeMartino

Such exquisite eloquence, certainly you must be sort of distinguished writer yourself!

Alan Meadows

Jan 29th 2009, 13:32

I guess that for Therese Frigieri et al just the thought of Pia running across the stage naked is blasphemous!

But seriously, we don't need a Censorship Board, but a Classification Board.

As long as a public representation does not break the laws of the land and/or incites or encourages people to do so, there is no reason for it not to take place. And in the case where is does cintravene the law, it is for to the police to get involved.

In this day and age of of digital world communications, the Maltese Censorship board is an anachronism.

Just be grateful for the free publicity. How else would you have made the front page of the Times!!

D Vella

Jan 29th 2009, 13:29

Theatre Classifiers?? These people really need to GET A LIFE!!! In this day and age where practically anyone can watch any amount of scenes of dismemberment, mutilated bodies, voilence, sex, rape and brutal murder freely on television, satellite tv, internet and the like. Even some console games would probably not pass their censorship!!! Who do they think they're fooling . . ? Who gives them the mandate to decide what mature adults may or may not choose to watch?? This is 2009 for crying out loud ! ! ! ! !

Alexander Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 13:22

To Karl Abela:

No-one is saying there shouldn't be ratings. Not only ratings, but the audience has a right to know exactly what they are in for!

Defying a ban shows that we refuse to live in a dictatorship where only the opinion of those in power is valid. Respect? How about respecting my right to go and watch it? At the end of the day no-one is forcing anyone to watch it. As for decency, how can you even judge whether the play is decent or not if you haven't seen it? Are you willing to let others decide for you? Frankly, I am not.

For all we know the play might promote monogamy as the ideal marriage, it might promote the idea that abortion is wrong...it might promote a million other things. The purpose of Art is not to preach, but to educate, encourage debate, give a space to different opinions and ideas. It is not Art that changes the world, it is our reaction to it. Banning a work of art denies our right to react to it, and without reaction there will be no change.

giovDeMartino

Jan 29th 2009, 12:46

Without entering into the merits of the case, I DO HOPE that even anyone who defies the ban would be arrested. INKELLA VERY NKUNU PAJJIZ TAL-MICKEY MOUSE.

Margie Cooper

Jan 29th 2009, 12:39

Why doesn't the government just rate plays, films ect. and let the educated Maltese public make up their own minds if they would like to watch it or not. Stop this nanny-culture with the censorship! How very passe!

Anthony Slater

Jan 29th 2009, 12:22

What time does it start? I'll be there.

Not because I agree or disagree with the play's content but purely to support the director and old-fashioned views of the theatre classifiers.

My wife and I watched the fantastic Blasted which featured amongst other things, male rape. If a play like this can be put on and (I think) sold out, then Chris Gatt's play should be allowed also.

Mark Grima

Jan 29th 2009, 11:42

This is a classic example of the slippery slope Malta has been on for some time. The theocratic and totalitarian instincts of people in high office in this country is something we should all stand up to. Censorship in a modern democracy should be about classification, not banning / permitting. If the content is challenging or disturbing then by all means let us be warned. Those of a more delicate nature can choose not to watch it. Banning art because it fails to mirror the imaginary values of a society may be acceptable in Saudi Arabia or Iran, but not in an EU country. Here is an extract from Time Out's review “Neilson’s Stitching is the talking point of the fringe and one of the most exciting plays of the year. Startlingly rich and challenging, Neilson depicts with aching precision a relationship in which love is undermined by distrust. I left the theatre with my pulse, and my mind, racing.” Therese Friggieri should give a full explanation of her decision to ban this play.

N Mamo

Jan 29th 2009, 11:38

To quote Mr. Gatt - "It is absurd to gag an artist in this day and age. This is the end of democracy, and whoever does not believe that, does not understand freedom of expression,"
It is ridiculous to ban a play from being staged - if anything just put an 18 certification with a strong disclaimer attached. Then, it is up to the theatre-goer to decide if it is too strong to watch or not. No-one has the right to decide for others [over 18], freedom of choice and expression are human rights just like health and education.

Joe Fountain

Jan 29th 2009, 11:24

One would think that Ms. Friggieri would have the 'decency' to at least be available to comment. She should resign and the Board of Censors should be abolished. And Unifaun should be taking this to Europe. It's 2009!

T Mifsud

Jan 29th 2009, 11:14

I am in support of the production company. The days of patronising censorship have ended decades ago and it is a shame that classification Board went over its brief.

Alan Montanaro

Jan 29th 2009, 11:08

I was on the receiving end of the Board of Film and Stage Classification when they decided, in the name of everybody, to suppress certain scenes of the award-winning Christopher Durang play "LAUGHING WILD", staged last year by MADC at St. James Cavalier.

I have no idea whether the play in question, STITCHING, is shocking or not and I will inform myself about it before I book my tickets. It can;t be more shocking that in 2009 democratic Malta, a board of individuals is empowered to decided what or what not a mature adult may choose to or not to watch.

When it comes to theatre there is rarely spontaneous-attendance and very little walk-in trade. In other words, theatre audiences, by and large, are well informed about the production they choose to attend because it involves pre-booking and forethought. For someone to decide for us is preposterous!

In defense of Freedom of Expression, I, and many others, will condemn this ban, and i look forward to Therese Friggieri's side of the story.

In the meantime, Chris Gatt is more than welcome to stage STITCHING in my sizable living room.

Ramon Casha

Jan 29th 2009, 10:43

The time has come to disband the Board of Film and Stage Classification. It is an anachronism, clinging to a time when the authorities tried to keep thought on a leash.

Joe Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 10:22

First Harry Potter and now this. Will the whole censorship board please resign en masse and make room for say a Fast Food outlet !!

Al Buhagiar

Jan 29th 2009, 10:06

Wasn't there the same sort of hoo-ha surrounding The Vagina Monologues. After it was produced it had proved to be a huge success and was neither shocking nor graphic but rather entertaining.

Freedom of speech.... yeah right?! More like: Freedom of speech (if you say what I want to hear)

You should definitely go on with the play and should you wish to stage in my living room, I am sure to gather a nice number of people to perform it to!

Neville Calleja

Jan 29th 2009, 09:51

That's a good publicity stunt.

Jessica DeBattista

Jan 29th 2009, 09:36

What good publicity for the play!!!

Anything that creates controversy generally is.

Mr. Chris Gatt should be rubbing his hands in glee.

I know I would.

Karl Abela

Jan 29th 2009, 09:07

We should at least consider age classification to protect our children and teens. The violence and anti-human values (let alone anti-Christian) that they are being fed through TV is horrendous.

Defying a stage ban (whether its a valid or not) shows that these people disrespect our Maltese society, culture and country. The power of drama on any type of media should not be underestimated.

Freedom of expression should not be abused of. Showing decency and respect to the sentiment of a culture and religion does not mean that this is the end of democracy. Scottish writer Anthony Neilson ought to start using drama to advertise love and peace and help fight Scotland's sky high crime rate rather than promote it.

Edward Zammit

Jan 29th 2009, 09:07

The first step to dictatorship is to get rid of the artists !!!!

A. Saliba

Jan 29th 2009, 08:52

Excellent! The decision by the board was outrageous.

Alexander Vella Gregory

Jan 29th 2009, 08:43

It is interesting to note that the censroship board has not disclosed any reason for the ban...are we even that morally vulnerable that we have to be protected even from the reason for banning the play? Is it possibly any worse than Sarah Kane's Blasted and 4.48 Psychosis?

Incidentally, what ARE the criteria for banning a production?