To mark the centenary of Ġużè Chetcuti’s birth, dramatic company Talenti, in partnership with the Manoel Theatre, is producing Il-Kuluri tal-Perlini, a thriller in two acts by Żep Camilleri and freely adapted from Chetcuti’s drama Imħuħ Morda.
The story takes place in a tiny, nameless, idyllic seaside village, where a family of three gathers for a short break at its holiday retreat house during carnival season.
Anton, the father (played by Mario Micallef), is a novel writer and a poet, a man of finicky ideas.
His wife, Lizette (Antonella Galea Loffreda), who once graced the local theatres with her ballet routines, is French by origin and was brought to Malta by Anton’s sister Emilia (Monika Attard), a theatre impresario.
Their daughter Suzanne (Larissa Bonaci) is an 18-year-old student. A bit like her father she entertains fussy ideas, an apparent effect of being an avid reader of his books.
The story occurs in a very small square in the village hub, dominated by a typical wine bar, which is the property of Netta (Marvic Cordina).
A frequent client to this bar is Totinu (Mario Spiteri aka Snitz), a doleful and sad gardener but who carries an impossible dream of success and wealth. Alex Calamatta (Anthony Ellul) is a psychiatrist and a childhood friend of Anton. He is now retired but returns to Anton’s call for help, namely to monitor the mental condition of Lizette, who according to Anton has simply lost it.
One final character is Oswald (Clive Piscopo) , Suzanne’s boyfriend, a likeable guy but who is riddled with his own family’s problems.
The story occurs in a very small square in the village hub, dominated by a typical wine bar
The drama thrives on every character’s personal issues. The focal one belongs to Anton who has simply lost his trust in everyone, but mainly in his wife Lizette, and hers in him.
However, other characters’ issues become relevant too as the story unfolds, mostly when we learn that Alex had one massive crush on Lizette years before, without Anton knowing until some time ago. So questions emerge: What relationship did Alex have with Emilia? What dangers does Totinu’s apparent innocence create? How reliable is Netta? And Oswald? How does he come into it? And there’s a lot to know about Suzanne.
This gripping story identifies some of the dramatic social tribulations that encompass quite a handful of members in society, now and always: love, hate, treachery, spying, suspicions and other personality monsters that time and again are inadvertently exposed and hyped.
• With audience certificate 12+, Il-Kuluri tal-Perlini is being staged at the Manoel Theatre on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8pm. Tickets may be obtained by phone on 2124 6389; e-mail: bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt