Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/240181
39 maltatoday, SUNDAY, 12 JANUARY 2014 THIS WEEK THIS WEEK Stagun Teatru Malti returns for a second year JUST a week after wrapping the shooting of his film Saul at Fort Ricasoli, Mario Philip Azzopardi started work on the two productions for Stagun Teatru Malti 2014 at the Manoel Theatre. This year's productions include Simon Bartolo's Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb (February 7-10) and Tyrone Grima's Vassalli (April 12, 13, 19, 20). The next few months will prove to be quite daunting as he shuttles between the editing rooms in Mosta, where Daniel Lapira is editing the film, and the Manoel's rehearsal rooms in Valletta where his partner Sean Buhagiar is directing Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb. This season's two plays have been developed and workshopped over the last year and financed by the Malta Arts Fund. The plays are being co-produced by the Manoel Theatre and Mario Philip Azzopardi under the banner of Stagun Teatru Malti. Next year's plays are already underway. These productions are original plays in Maltese, dealing primarily with Maltese issues and inspired by Maltese history, experience and society. The second play Vassalli, by Tyrone Grima, is a period piece about Mikiel Anton Vassalli and is being presented on the 250th anniversary of the patriot's birth. The third play for this year is being planned for the Malta Arts Festival and is a theatrical adaptation by Immanuel Mifsud of Nicholas Monsarrat's Novel The Kappillan of Malta, planned for an open air presentation in July. Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb could not have been better timed. The current national concern about same sex marriage and adoption by homosexual and lesbian couples has recently exploded into the local Simon Bartolo's Jien Nhobb, Inti Thobb could not be better timed, as it concerns same-sex marriage and adoption by homosexual couples Mario Philip Azzopardi headlines unleashing a heated and emotional debate. This production dares to leap into the fray to touch on these social/religious/political taboos and expose the inherent fear, bigotry and ignorance that surrounds the present dilemma. Not a play for the faint hearted. Those who are offended by overt sexuality, nudity and the exposition of gay issues should avoid this play. "Our mandate is to treat the Manoel's audience as a mature audi- ence deserving to be treated as such. There are no pulled punches here. We are committed to present professionally produced, high quality theatre centred around hard hitting, current issues, making sure that our audience get their money's worth in the best Maltese live theatrical entertainment around." Bookings are now open for all plays from the Manoel Theatre. Contact: bookings@teatrumanoel. com.mt, 21 246389