A theatre performance documenting the story of the Maltese and foreigners who were deported to Uganda during World War II opens at the MITP Theatre in Valletta on February 13.
On February 13, 1942, a total of 42 Maltese citizens and three foreigners were given a warrant of deportation to leave their homeland for Uganda. These Maltese citizens were arrested and deprived of their liberty and family and were in constant danger of death.
On the 70th anniversary of the deportation of these men, Joseph Scicluna, whose father was one of those deported, is presenting I.D. Internati u Deportati.
This theatre performance is based on the real stories and adventures in the prisons and camps they were kept in between 1940 and 1944, their only fault being that they were Italian sympathisers.
The performance draws allusions to similar scenarios in recent history, such as Guantanamo Bay and the Bosnian camps.
The first phase of this project started 17 years ago, a collaboration between Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci and Pino Scicluna, which ended up with a highly acclaimed production of Internati directed and produced by Giuseppe Schembri Bonaci at the MITP.
I.D. Internati u Deportati is a new performance which refers to both the internment and the exile in Uganda. I.D. Internati u Deportati gives its audiences a glimpse of what life was like in the camps with a high degree of historical correctness but also highlights the human stories inside the camps, stories of friendship, hardship, humiliation, pride.
This performance is not an opinion about facts, but a first-hand narration of an important episode of Malta’s history – an episode which turned common men into national heroes – or is it villains – The debate is still open.
The performance is being directed by Katia Capato and Pino Scicluna, who will also be performing alongside Glen Calleja.
Performances will run from February 13 to 17 with two performances a day, one at 6.30 p.m. and another at 8.30 p.m. The performance will be held in the vaults underneath Auberge de Castille, Office of the Prime Minister.
Seats are limited. For bookings call 7900 1906 or e-mail josephscicluna@yahoo.it.