It was with deepest regret that I heard of the outrageous ban imposed on freedom of speech within the democratic country that is Malta.
Anthony Neilson’s play Stitching is a theatrical work of art. I am not one to deny its content and I admit certain themes are not the easiest to digest; I would also not be so obtuse as to say the play is not controversial.
This play strips bare the truths of modern Western society, it shows the brutality, banality and tenderness that exists in different extremes throughout each of us and to deny this play is to deny our very existence.
A play ultimately about truth surely is not something that can be so easily and prudishly banned.
Unifaun acted with bravery, as has my theatre company, in choosing to produce this play.
By doing so we face the challenge of finding truth and meaning in the tragic and irresponsible human condition that resides within the play’s characters.
By doing so we aim to highlight the inescapable situation that a couple broken by infidelity find themselves in following the ultimate tragedy a set of parents can ever face – the loss of their child.
To ban this play is to disregard the unconscious thoughts, the subconscious desires and the conscious acts we sometimes find ourselves ashamed of, but of which we are all guilty of feeling and doing; regardless of age, race or country of origin.
I firstly extend an open invitation to Unifaun, a theatre company with brave and bold vision akin to our own. They have our support and our appreciation for the work they choose to produce.
Secondly, I extend an open invitation to the Film and Stage Classification Board, a seemingly ignorant organisation with an apparent disrespect for bold and challenging theatre.
Thirdly I extend an open invitation to Mr Justice Joseph Zammit McKeon, a person charged with upholding the law, who apparently has failed to identify one of the fundamental building blocks of Western society – freedom of expression and freedom of speech.
This invitation is to see a piece of theatre that challenges, that is bold and that is not afraid to press its agenda.
We look forward to welcoming you to our version of this fantastic play at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.