Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1313317
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 NOVEMBER 2020 4 THEATRE By Deacon Xuereb A comeback for live theatre: Agnes LIVE theatre is making a come- back. Early in December, Dr Christian Colombo and Dr Ty- rone Grima will be presenting a classic by John Pielmeier, the play "Agnes of God", featuring actresses Isabel Warrington, Si- mone Ellul and Kyra Lautier. "Agnes of God" is directed by Tyrone Grima and tells the tale of a cloistered novice (Kyra Lautier) who gives birth to a ba- by and is accused of slaughter- ing it. A psychiatrist (Simone Ellul) is appointed to diagnose the mental health of the nun. Agnes is naive and does not know anything about the facts of life, though not the same thing can be said about Mother Superior (Isabel Warrington) who seems to be harbouring darker secrets. It is a gripping and fast-paced thriller that narrates the story of a woman who explores her humanity, surrounded by an eerie sense of mysticism. It raises the fun- damental questions surround- ing existentialism, religion and faith without providing clear, straightforward answers and solutions. It is in fact this element which encouraged Tyrone and Chris- tian to produce this specific play together. The play opens up a number of questions and dilemmas, and provokes thought without imposing opinions on the audience. The two producers have a different approach to religion and faith, and whilst Tyrone's interest in the subject is nurtured by his belief in religion, Christian is the chairperson of the Malta Humanist Association which espouses an atheistic world- view. Following the live per- formances of "Agnes of God", a webinar will be organised on the 8th and 10th of December at 18:00 in order to explore this subject further. Speakers in- clude Gail Debono, Dr Pauline Dimech, Prof Vicky Ann Crem- ona and Rev. Dr Carlo Calleja. In a year which has proven to be highly challenging for the arts, particularly live perfor- mances, producers Tyrone and Christian took the plunge, but (Right and left) Kyra Lautier as Agnes, Photo Francesca Vella