During a writing workshop assignment, author and playwright Clare Azzopardi spotted a quaint coffin shop in Valletta that had stood the test of time and was inspired by it. That experience developed into Tebut Isfar, a play about family issues, social issues and the gentrification of the city, currently running at the Valletta Campus Theatre.

Games Yasmina plays.

The comedy is produced by Unifaun Theatre Productions, under the direction of Marcelle Teuma. Peter Galea, Mariele Zammit, Leigh-Anne Abela and Anthony Ellul are the protagonists.

As a long-time fan of Azzopardi’s work, producer Adrian Buckle says that the opportunity to work on one of her scripts was irresistible.

“Even at first draft, it was a great script,” he said.

The staging, Buckle admitted, was a challenge, not least because the show required the recreation of the workshop within the theatre, complete with coffins.

“We employed set designer Romualdo Moretti to this end and he has done a fantastic job. We rented a few coffins and had a few more made by our set constructor Claudio Apap. Moritz Zavan completed the magic with complementary lighting design.”

Yasmina (Mariele Zammit) pushes forth the Yellow Coffin in Tebut Isfar.

The storyline is both entertaining and thought-provoking as it asks important questions about what the locals want from modern-day Valletta.

“Do we want a Valletta that is reminiscent of the old city, or a centre of nightlife and activity?” Buckle questioned. “There are pros and cons on both sides of the fence. It would be terrible to lose Valletta’s centuries-old character but, at the same time, it is the capital. Can we afford to have a capital that is more of a ghost town?

 “In this play, we ask the questions and it is up to our audiences to come up with the answers – via a production that promises to be more darkly funny and absolutely fascinating.”

Tebut Isfar, which was staged over three weekends, is being performed for the last time today, tomorrow and on Sunday at the Valletta Campus Theatre (ex-MITP). The play is supported by the Malta Arts Fund and the University of Malta, the Malta Drama Unit and St Aloysius College. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ticketline.com.mt.

A businessman, (Anthony Ellul right) will do his best to buy from George (Peter Galea).