Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1163844
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 SEPTEMBER 2019 5 THIS WEEK THEATRE populist absurdism sonal responsibility in a world which is seen as absurd, un- just and uncaring. When all around him succumb to the attraction of societal accept- ance, our hero Berenger (Dan- iel Azzopardi) is the only one left to fly the flag for human- ity, even if his gesture may also be seen as absurd. Ionesco's work often treats the problem of the inadequacy, ambiguity and untrustworthiness of lan- guage. We try to communi- cate but hardly ever succeed. Another theme is the way the need for belonging and 'fit- ting in' may easily turn into mob rule, a clear reference to the rise of populism and mass movements. All this may sound like Rinoċeronti is a philosophical treatise on modern preoccu- pations, and by implication a boring, sedentary piece of lit- erary theatre – nothing could be further from the truth. The play is hilarious, farci- cal, full of action. It is highly entertaining and very current in its references. The stylistic treatment in Rinoċeronti is, I would like to believe, very much what Ionesco would have wanted. What's next for you? My annual commitment to Bla Kondixin, a feast of satire now in its' nineteenth year, is my next big theatrical pro- ject. Here again relevance and current references are the name of the game. The need for satire in Malta has never been stronger, and thanks to our politicians, we do not lack material for our content. Rinoceronti will be staged at the Planetarium of Esplora, Kalkara on September 12 to 15 at 20:30. The play is rated 12. Bookings: https://www. kultura.mt/ "The play's major strength is that its themes resonate as strongly today as they did when it was originally written. This relevance is what has always attracted me to this particular work. Rinoċeronti is funny, engaging and visually rich, treating important subjects with loads of humour." Rehearsals for Teatru Malta's production of Rinoceronti