Veteran judge Michael Mallia may have retired last year, but he is about to hear one of the more unusual cases of his career. A young man named Hamlet stands charged with the murder of his girlfriend’s father, Polonius, killed while standing behind a curtain in his apartment.

Appearing before Mr Justice Mallia will be some familiar faces: defence lawyer Franco Debono for the accused, and prosecutor Andy Ellul across from him.

All will be on familiar ground in the trial, but if the details of the crime sound familiar, it’s because they have been lifted from one of the most famous works of English theatre, with Hamlet, as well as his girlfriend and mother, all played by local actors.

Please Continue (Hamlet) is a unique theatre experience being staged this evening as part of the Malta Arts Festival. The unscripted performance is structured like a real criminal court trial, with the jury randomly made up of audience members who are informed of the elements of the case at hand.

The project has been staged around the world, with real legal professionals and local actors in each country taking part, before landing in Malta.

“I was a bit sceptical at first but I was curious about what it was all about,” said Mr Justice Mallia, who has also lent his expertise to creating an approximation of a court room at the Chamber of Commerce, where the show will take place.

The audience will be exposed to the workings of justice

“The audience will be exposed to the workings of justice. It’s not just nine people in the jury, but a whole audience seeing it play out. The law courts often get a lot of negative press, but this will allow people to see it and come to their own conclusions.”

Mr Justice Mallia is also anticipating a reunion with the defence and prosecuting lawyers, albeit under somewhat different circumstances. “It will be very interesting, I’m sure, and since there’s nothing really at stake, hopefully more relaxed,” he said.

Defence lawyer Dr Debono is also anticipating the encounter. Having just come out of a jury trial – a real one, this time – on Tuesday, he has had limited time to prepare, but he has been going over the case files and even watching a filmed version of Shakespeare’s play to brush up on its finer details.

“It’s an unusual concept but I’m looking forward to it,” he said. “The best thing is that it has an educational and an artistic scope at the same time.”

Also participating in the ‘trial’ will be forensic psychologist Chantal Avellino, who has already met with the actor playing Hamlet, in character, to provide a psychological assessment which the defence and prosecution will use during the trial.

“The biggest question for me was how I was going to merge what I normally do with what was being asked, carrying out a real assessment on a fictitious character,” Dr Avellino said. “But I set up a strategy that fits with what I usually do with clients, and to be honest, once everyone was on board, it felt quite real.”

During the assessment, Hamlet discussed everything from his schooling to his difficult upbringing and relationship with his father: elements, according to Dr Avellino, that people can identify with.

“It’s an interesting project because it gives a realistic snapshot of what it’s like to go through court proceedings, which I think a lot of people are curious about,” she said. “It’s also really unique because Hamlet is being brought into today’s realities, which adds a fascinating aspect.”

Please Continue (Hamlet) takes place this evening at 7.30pm at the Chamber of Commerce, Valletta. More information from http://maltaartsfestival.org