Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1376560
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MAY 2021 4 THEATRE Maltese play Il-Pożittivi tackles HIV head on EVEN though theatres are ex- pected to reopen soon, a new play in Maltese could not be postponed any further and the cast and crew are positively de- termined to present the show, exclusively online. Il-Pożittivi, a new play written by Simon Bartolo and directed by Toni Attard, is the first con- temporary Maltese play that tackles the societal stigma that surrounds those who live with HIV in Malta. It is inspired by true stories shared by partic- ipants during anonymous in- terviews conducted as part of the research project. The play sheds light on six characters whose lives have all been some- what affected by HIV, weaving in real life situations with a fictitious story, typical of Bar- tolo's style that layers comedy with serious drama. "Few people living with HIV in Malta have publicly dis- closed their status or speak about the subject, underlining their fear of being alienated or discriminated against for hav- ing the condition. The theatre project included the participa- tion of people living with HIV in Malta and is acting as an artistic platform to demystify HIV and the stigmatisation im- pacting their lives. " says direc- tor and producer Toni Attard. A hospital visit becomes the first step for the characters to untangle the situations they find themselves in. Between the chemsex party where this com- ic play begins and the birthday party where it ends, the play is an emotional ride triggered by relationships, love, friendship, anger, joy, betrayal, and most of all, hope. Starring theatre favourites Josette Ciappara, Ray Calleja, Clare Agius, Stephen Mintoff, Benjamin Abela as well as Dan- ish actor and HIV activist Chris Vincent, this production has been in development for two years. Due to COVID-19 re- strictions which didn't permit the show to be staged in May as planned, the public will now be able to enjoy Il-Pożittivi, through an exclusive, on-de- mand online viewing experi- ence instead. The show will premiere at 8pm on Friday 18th June and will be available until the 30th of June 2021. Af- ter months of online and stu- dio rehearsals, the actors will be recording the show, as live, from the Valletta Campus The- atre during its closure. With videography by Kevin Kiomall, the production will feature a set by Romualdo Moretti, light design by Chris Gatt and sound design by Michael Quinton. Il-Pożittivi is suitable for au- diences age 15 and over, and will be available on demand, at any time of day, with a 48-hour viewing window. The show is in Maltese with English subti- tles. Eur 10 tickets may be pur- chased from here. Il-Pożittivi is produced by Culture Venture within the project Acting on the Mar- gins: Art as Social Sculpture, partnered in Malta by the Department of Arts, Open Communities, and Adult Ed- ucation, within the Faculty of Education, University of Mal- ta. AMASS has received fund- ing from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no 870621. It is supported by MGRM, Arts Council Malta, Brown's Phar- macy, Pleasure Malta and Sex Clinic by Willigness. Benjamin Abela and Stephen Mintoff, photo by Elisa von Brockdorff Josette Ciappara and Clare Agius, photo by Elisa von Brockdorff Clare Agius, Josette Ciappara and Chris Vincent, photo by Elisa von Brockdorff