The tragic love story of Xandru and Rożina, the characters in the classic Maltese novel Is-Salib tal-Fidda, will be brought back to life by the Our Lady of Lilies Youth section at the Mqabba primary school hall on Saturday at 7.15 p.m.

The novel, a real tear jerker by Fr Wistin Born, revolves around the lives of Xandru and Rożina, two lovers who came from different walks of life – one a rich but unspoiled town girl who lived with her father, the other a young fisherman who eventually became an orphan.

The characters of the story are natural and belong to a time when the islands were poor, yet conscious of the needs of others.

The story also puts an accent on Christian values with the well-being of others being of paramount importance. Criminality did not pay.

Despite this, the classes still lived on separate planes with many a sad story of feuds resulting from different levels of access to comfort and wealth.

The main parts are in the hands of Edwin Gatt, who will play the role of Xandru as a young man and Sarah Scicluna, in the angelic role of Rozina. The younger characters of Xandru and Rożina will be entrusted to Glenn Muscat and Christianne Farrugia.

The novel, adapted for the stage by Frederick Camilleri, will be directed by Ina Robinich to original music by Dominic Cini.

• Bookings may be done by phone on 7900 3956. Further information may be obtained online: on www.talgilju.com.