One of Malta’s best-loved and funniest theatrical comedies is making a comeback this month at the Blue Box in Msida.

Mostly Harmless Productions, in conjunction with Mellow Drama, are producing God’s Official, the hysterical tale about what happens when the lines between football and real life become dangerously blurred.

Written by Liverpool playwright Robert Farquhar, the play has received wide critical acclaim and won numerous awards, including at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

God’s Official tells the tale of two passionate football fans – Degsy and Cliff – who are devastated to see the team they love relegated following some questionable officiating on the last day of the season.

For the hot-headed Degsy, already struggling to cope with the break up of his relationship, this football injustice is the final straw. So he decides to take matters into his own hands… and kidnaps the referee.

What ensues is a laugh-out-loud adventure as the incompetent kidnappers struggle to come to terms with the situation and try to deal with the referee’s spontaneous attempt to escape.

The Mostly Harmless production of God’s Official stars John Montanaro as Degsy, Steve Casaletto as Cliff and Chris Dingli as the unfortunate referee Greeves.

“Without doubt this is an absolutely classic bit of theatrical comedy and one of my all time favourite plays. It is a script I never tire of reading and Degsy is a part I never tire of playing,” John Montanaro explained.

“God’s Official is an extremely funny look at what happens when a normally sensible, if overly passionate, football fan snaps and loses the plot. A poor refereeing decision ends up relegating Degsy’s team and that, combined with the break-up of his relationship, is too much for him to take.”

It has been nearly 10 years since God’s Official was last performed in Malta. In that time it has been performed in theatres around the world showing how easy is it for just about everybody to relate to the story.

“People are constantly asking us when we will be doing the ‘referee play’ again so it made sense to bring it back once more. The football season is still going on and the European Cup is coming up so football, as always, is playing a big part in our lives,” John said.

“If anything the play is even more relevant today than it was back then, with the way the world of football has developed. So much so, in fact, that Robert Farquhar’s script is being made into a major film to be released in the UK this month.”

God’s Official is being held on April 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 with all shows starting at 8pm. Tickets range in price from €10 to €18 and can be purchased from the Blue Box website – www.bluebox.com.mt

Due to the mature content of the production, only people aged 16 or older will be admitted to the theatre.

The running time of the show is approximately two hours, including intermission. For more information visit the Mostly Harmless website – www.mostlyharmless.com.mt – or call 2789 2789.