An original theatre production for children, which tackles how they deal with bereavement, is being crowdfunded for on Maltese platform ZAAR.

Devised by local company Studio 18, Dear Pete follows the story of young Pete as he learns to come to terms with the loss of his mother, in a colourful and imaginative adventure alongside his pet Splint, in the only performance of its kind.

To prepare for the original production, Studio 18 consulted educational psychologist Ian Azzopardi Meli and the team designed the play to truly depict how children process the several stages of grief.

"Dear Pete portrays, in a very subtle way, how children go through bereavement," Azzopardi Meli says. "The fact that there is a production that deals with bereavement, whereas it is usually avoided - especially in children - is to be appreciated and valued."

Studio 18 has opted to create a crowdfunding campaign on Maltese platform ZAAR to help fund the embellishment of the original Dear Pete production, with an enhanced set, lighting and sound design, music composition, costumes, script and special effects and employing professionals to assist throughout.

All funds received via the ZAAR crowdfunding campaign will contribute directly towards improving each of these elements. It is also hoped that by crowdfunding on ZAAR for Dear Pete, this innovation will inspire a change in the way in which the arts in general receive investment, awareness and support.

Visitors are invited to visit www.zaar.com.mt for more information regarding the 'Dear Pete' crowdfunding campaign.