Sarah Kane's play Blasted shook London's theatre world when it was staged. Now, a Maltese producer will be testing the waters by staging it in the intimate environs of St James Cavalier, Valletta, this weekend.

British critics, unable to handle its violence and energy, had described it as "a disgusting piece of filth". James Macdonald, the producer of the first production in 1995, had said: "A short run meant Blasted was seen by not more than 1,000 people, making it perhaps the least seen and most talked-about play in recent memory".

Since the author's suicide in 1999, the dark play has been revisited and revaluated and theatre companies took it back to the stage. Adrian Buckle, producer and artistic director for Unifaun Theatre Productions, said the intimacy of the space and set design of St James Cavalier meant the play went beyond "in-your-face-theatre", making it more like "in-your-lap-theatre".

Blasted, which contains an uncompromising depiction of rape, torture, and violence during civil war, was labelled as one of the landmark plays of post-war British theatre, achieving its iconic status and, notoriety, very quickly.

Mr Buckle said the play was being staged as it was written, and as it was meant to be performed, so only an adult audience will be allowed in.

"Blasted should not be seen just as a play about rape and nudity; it is a play about humanity, about the disintegration of society and about hope in the direst of situations," he stressed. The play is being directed by maverick Californian Dave Barton, whose direction of the same play earned him various accolades in California.

The cast is made of Bryan Jennings, Jo Caruana and Andrew Galea. Mr Jennings, also Californian, reprises the role of Ian, which he performed in California to great acclaim.

The set is designed by artist Pierre Portelli. Performances run between tomorrow and Sunday and again from November 7-9. Shows start at 7.30 p.m.

For tickets call on 2122 3216 or send an e-mail to boxoffice@sjcav.org.