The musical Star Of Strait Street has already wowed overseas audiences in Australia and theatregoers in London will next week also get a chance to watch this wartime show.
Christina Ratcliffe in Malta.Following its success as part of Valletta 2018 European Capital of Culture, the show will represent Malta in London’s prestigious Voila Europe Theatre Festival, with support from Arts Council Malta’s Cultural Export Fund.
Star of Strait Street, starring Polly March, Larissa Bonaci and Geoff Thomas, this summer toured three cities in Australia which have a significant Maltese communities: Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.
The musical, based on a true story, centres around Christina Ratcliffe who met and fell in love with RAF pilot Adrian Warburton, and takes audiences back to the wild days of Valletta's famous entertainment quarter.
Ms Ratcliffe reading the Times of Malta.Ms Ratcliffe subsequently volunteered with Fighter Control in the secret underground world of the Lascaris War Rooms, becoming Captain of her Watch.
She was awarded the British Empire Medal, and became known as ‘Christina of George Cross Island’.
The show is sponsored by The Mackintosh Foundation: Sir Cameron’s mother Diana (née Tonna) lived in Malta during the war and knew Adrian Warburton in person.
The performance at Applecart Arts, London E13 on Friday November 9 includes a welcome from the Malta High Commissioner to the UK Joseph Cole. There is also a show there on Saturday 10 November, performances starting at 7.15pm.