Coryse Borg learns why after six years, Unifaun is once again staging this hilarious play by prolific writer Trevor Żahra… with a few new twists and tweaks here and there.

“Friends tell me I should do more theatre in Maltese,” says Unifaun founder and producer Adrian Buckle. “I actually love doing theatre in Maltese. The only problem is that I don’t find many scripts I like. Trevor is one of a handful of playwrights I do like.”

Years ago, when they were working on another production, Żahra had told Buckle about an idea he had, after having been inspired by FM Theatre Production’s rendition of The Vagina Monologues.

“He wanted to do something similar, but male-oriented in Maltese,” recalls Buckle, “Trevor sent me a proof of his work and I couldn’t stop laughing. I immediately offered to stage it. I suggested some changes and later, when director Chris Gatt got involved, we added some more. Minn Wara ż-Żipp was a sell-out in March 2008 at the Manoel and the Sir Temi Zammit Hall in November of the same year. Since then, people have been begging us to restage it and we felt that now, six years later, it was the right time to bring it back.”

Buckle says that the plot remains more or less the same. We meet Redeemer Farrugia as a newborn child, having his private parts admired by family members. We watch him grow from childhood to adolescence, have his teenage fantasies, grow into an adult, have sex for the first time, get married and grow old.

However, this production features some new monologues and a different interpretation. Unifaun is treating this production as a cabaret, with a band included – the musicians form part of the group Milk Mi.

People will love this production, whether it istheir first time, their second or their third

Although the director has also remained the same, there are of course a few changes to this play’s second outing; not least the addition of actor Joseph Galea instead of ‘Snits’ Spiteri who was part of the cast the last time round.

The other two actors, Jean-Pierre Busuttil and Renato Dimech, remain as is. The trio, between them, play a multitude of roles, including Redeemer in all his stages of life, as well as The Terminator and Mr Bean – all without ever changing their costume; they have to do it all by altering their voices, accents and expressions.

“People will love this production, whether it is their first time, their second or their third,” Buckle asserts, “This production will have the audiences reaching for their inhalers and holding their aching sides with laughter.”

The trio of actors agree wholeheartedly with Buckle.

“Rehearsals have been a blast and it is so refreshing to be able to talk about such a delicate topic out loud on stage!” says Busuttil. “This is not a family show. Please leave your kids at home and come and have two hours of absolute fun and stomach-ache-inducing laughter.”

The last word must go to director Gatt.

“This production is particularly suited for men and their better halves (male or female) to share some quality time together talking about what Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music refers to as ‘her favourite things’.

“After the public responded in droves the last time, we thought the time was right for this member of the not-so-public to stand up and be counted. Admittedly, it took us six years to deliver. But we persevered.

“Obviously being older means that what we lack in vigour we have learnt to make up for in style and technique. I am sure we will not disappoint.”

• Minn Wara ż-Żipp is being staged at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University of Malta on October 11, 12, 17-19 at 8pm.

Tickets may be obtained from www.ticketline.com.mt or the Embassy Cinemas in Valletta.

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