It’s about time, as we’re halfway through an election campaign, to take a break and take what’s happening around us a little less seriously. Albert Marshall’s new play L-indemonjati u Maltin Oħra (The Demonised and Other Maltese), does just that.

This comedy is not exactly about the Nationalist Government, the Labour Party or Franco Debono but more about the conflicts that arise when someone rebels, and the way others react. It is a satirical allegory of how Malta reacted to the recent political phenomenon that has, whether we like it or not, etched itself in the historical annals of our nation.

At the same time, it takes the Mickey out of our political system and party shenanigans. It underlines intrinsic Maltese foibles and hilarious idiosyncrasies. Marshall’s scathing look at our pulitka cuts through political allegiances to force us to take a deep hard look at ourselves, inviting us to, if we are honest enough, have a good laugh at ourselves.

“L-Indemonjati u Maltin Oħra represents, possibly, the most audacious work written for the local stage. This satirical allegory, a fairly new stylistic concept, literally transforms political reality into a theatrical exercise for the public’s enjoyment,” says poet and theatre expert Mario Azzopardi (Il-Mulej).

A co-production between the Manoel Theatre and Mario Philip Azzopardi, and directed by Marshall, the cast includes Sean Buhagiar, Mario Micallef and Jane Marshall in the lead roles, and supported by Anthony Ellul, Marvic Cordina, Kris Spiteri, Larissa Bonaci, Clive Piscopo, Duncan Azzopardi and Jamie Cardona.

L-Indemonjati u Maltin Oħra is on at Manoel Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. Tickets are available by calling on 2124 6389, sending an e-mail to bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or online.

www.teatrumanoel.com.mt