Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1501168
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 11 JUNE 2023 4 CULTURE Edinburgh-bound show spotlighting sexual violence preps for previews in Malta and Gozo Walking Home by Prickly Pear Productions has dates at Gozo's Teatru Astra and Malta's Spazju Kreattiv, before it heads to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe A compelling new show, which explores the issue of sexual vio- lence against women and people of marginalised genders, is soon set to take to the stage at Teatru Astra in Gozo and Spazju Kreat- tiv in Malta. Devised by the female-led pro- duction company Prickly Pear Productions, Walking Home serves as a reaction to Sarah Everard's journey home, Sabina Nessa's murder in London, and most recently, Paulina Dembska's murder in Malta, among so many others – and to the global out- pouring of shared grief and an- ger that has followed these brutal tragedies. Following performance runs from 16-18 June at Teatru As- tra, Gozo and from 21-23 July at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, Walking Home is also set for an August run as part of the renowned Edin- burgh Festival Fringe. "The show opens with just an- other day in the office – but when news that a colleague has been sexually assaulted reaches the boardroom, emotions run high. Yet, deadlines must be met, and, too quickly, too often, people must move on with life as nor- mal," explains Prickly Pear Pro- ductions' Co-Artistic Director and the show's director, Chan- telle Micallef Grimaud. "Walking Home is based on more than 40 true stories of real experiences that we have collected from peo- ple of diverse genders, nationali- ties and walks of life from around the world. We hope that we can shed light on the community's role in this vital conversation – and help it progress well beyond the stage." Walking Home stars Sean Borg, Michela Farrugia, Alex Ween- ink and Zoë Alba Farrugia, with movement direction from Zoe Camilleri, intimacy direction from Simone Ellul and lighting design by Andre Micallef. Founded in 2018 by Chantelle Micallef Grimaud and Zoë Alba Farrugia, Prickly Pear Productions has roots in Malta and the UK. It aims to give a voice to minority groups and their untold stories, spreading awareness and under- standing of different peoples, cul- tures, ethnicities and ways of life, while challenging stereotypes. The company's original produc- tions have included the acclaimed Immigration Crisis: The Musical, Nanna's Bolognese, Project Cab- aret, Baħar and Displaced, which have performed in such prestig- ious international venues and fes- tivals as the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, UK, Migration Matters Festival, Camden Fringe Festival, VAULT Festival, Camden Peo- ple's Theatre and Beverley Puppet Festival. Prickly Pear Productions has also created the Prickly Pear Cooks YouTube series, the Tes- sie & Blanche screenplay, funded by Screen Malta, and The Actor's Atlas podcast, launched with the support of Arts Council Malta. "We are excited and proud to share Walking Home with audi- ences in Malta and Gozo, as we get ready to take it to Edinburgh for Prickly Pear's first full run of a show at the Fringe Festival. It will be an experience we will never forget – and we hope will be the start of many more productions to come!" concludes Zoë Alba Farrugia. Walking Home by Prickly Pear Productions will perform at Te- atru Astra, Victoria, Gozo, at 7.30pm on 16 and 17 June in Eng- lish and at 7.30pm on 18 June in Maltese; and at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, at 8pm on 21 and 22 July in English, and at 7pm on 23 Ju- ly in Maltese. A panel discussion will follow the performances at Teatru Astra on 16 June and at Spazju Kreattiv on 21 July. Tickets and more information are avail- able at www.teatruastra.org.mt or https://kreattivita.org/. This production is supported by Arts Council Malta – Programme Sup- port Fund. Left to right: Zoë Alba Farrugia, Michela Farrugia, Alex Weenink and Sean Borg (All photos by Elisa von Brockdorff)