Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/501315
IX maltatoday, Sunday, 26 april 2015 Stagun Teatru Malti (STM) fast-forwards to 2036 for their new play. In this satire penned by Wayne Flask, a boisterously merry satire where Joseph Muscat is still in power, ruling over Malta with most of the electorate behind him. He yearns to end his career honourably but will not, cannot resign, not with such a devout following, including a fac- tion that is ready to declare him King of Malta. And now comes the news that Malta has struck it rich, rich beyond anyone's expec- tations. Oil is found, right under the Addolorata cemetery! So then come the reactions from the PN, the Curia, the business class elite, China, Eurasia and so many more. Hilarious is an understate- ment. The script is written by one of Malta's most satirical pens – Wayne Flask. "The satire is scathing", says director Sean Bu- hagiar, who returns to the boards after directing last year's smash hit Jiena Nhobb, Inti Thobb. "It's open season on anybody who's somebody in the political sphere... and beyond. Wayne is not very forgiving, and his satire is truly clever and his comedy blatantly tongue in cheek." Sibna Iz-Zejt ('We Have Struck Oil ') goes beyond the usual "send-up" of local politics. Murder, conspiracy, blackmail, kidnapping, and a coup d 'état, are only some of the plot points on the evening's comedy menu. Included in this futuristic world, is the technological possibilit y to seek advice from deceased souls. Consequently, when Joseph needs to take a moment to ref lect and ponder his choices, he resorts to the 'M solution', a machine that enables him to confer with Mintoff himself… And on and on it goes… What's truly refreshing is that the play retains the original names of the people it is satiris- ing, and there are a lot of them. "It's all in good fun, with a not so subtle pulling of political ears," adds Mario Philip Azzo- pardi, STM's producer. "What makes this production (our ninth) different, is that Wayne Flask 's script is really an intel- ligent farce about our political spectrum, daring the audience to take a good funny look at our own exasperating, frustrating, infuriating, maddening, political shenanigans." STM is presenting Sibna Iz-Zejt at the Manoel Theatre for eight performances, including a Mati- nee on Sunday. The stellar cast is made up of some of our best comedic talent, including Mario Micallef, Simon Curmi, Ron- ald Briffa, JP Busuttil, Manuel Cassar, Gilbert Formosa, Clive Piscopo, Luke Dalli, Alan Fenech, Frank Tanti, Triccas, Brussels- based actress Antonella Axisa and Peter Busuttil 's return to the Manoel. Sibna Iz-Zejt will be staged at the Manoel Theatre on May 15- 17, 21-23. Bookings: http://www. teatrumanoel.com.mt/ This Week Malta 'strikes oil' in new satirical play Stagun Teatru Malti returns to the Manoel Theatre boards with a scathing satire on the Joseph Muscat administration in 2036 Dù Theatre return with a Moliere comedy Your first click of the daY www.maltatoday.com.mt Admit it. We all want to live forever. But some of us seem to think we are dying forever. A rich man, Argan, is cursed with an obsession that he is eternally unwell, the perfect victim for quack remedies and doctors. Desperate to have what every sick man wants; a doctor in the family, he tries to marry off his daughter to a family of doctors. Meanwhile, keen to get her hands on his money, his second wife brings in the lawyers to try and get her hands on his money before he is even dead and buried. A carnival of characters take to the stage to persuade, cajole and fight for the man's wealth as he lies in his chair in perfect health but convinced of his imminent death. Who or what will be the death of him? Will his wife get the loot? Or will the doctors before her? And what about his poor impulsive daughter, she who is in love with a singer artist she met just three weeks before? Mo- liere's explosively funny comedy, translated by George Cassola, continues to be a sure-fire hit with plenty of laughs, music and even a bit of dance! Dù Theatre's interpretation of Il-Marid Immaġinarju is on at the City Theatre, Old Bakery street, Valletta, on May 29, 30 and 31. Cast includes Chry- sander Agius, Simone Spiteri, Daniel Azzopardi, Elaine Saliba, Carlos Farrugia, Pierre Stafrace, Magdalena van Kuilenburg, Jean Marc Cafa' and Franica Pulis. Directed by Chris Gatt and with live music by local band KażinSka. Doors open at 19:30 and the production starts at 20:00. Tick- ets bought from ticketline.com.mt or Embassy Cinema Box Office, Valletta. For more information visit Du Theatre on Facebook From left: Daniel Azzopardi, Chrysander Agius, Franica Pulis and Jean Marc Cafa