Alibert has clawed his way to the top – he is a cardinal and the King’s Chancellor. It is a heady position which confers upon him god-like authority over life and death. He is also a collector, amassing a fine collection of forbidden books, and he also collects people. He becomes the patron of Heronimu, a writer of tales who has fallen foul of the regime, as well as the protector of Kjara, a young unmarried mother he has taken for his mistress. The two former lovers are thus brought together once more as members of the Cardinal’s household. From his lofty perch, Alibert follows all that goes on with amused malice.

Sawlu explores the disturbing hold that the powerful have over other individuals and the complex, ambiguous relationships that ensue. It is the love-hate knot that binds prisoner and jailer, fed by mutual resentment and dependence. It often turns into a tussle between the curdling of discontent into open, even if doomed, hostility and the urge to accept and submit. We learn, however, that resistance and sabotage can take many forms, even the most deceptively innocuous.

Set in the 16th century, Sawlu has a relevance beyond the confines of a particular time or place. It is a powerful drama, at times sinister and claustrophobic yet not without its streaks of black humour, as characters learn to fight the dark forces around them and the demons within themselves.

Sawlu was awarded the prize for the Konkors ta’ Kitba Ghall-Palk Premju Francis Ebejer 2003 and was selected by the Manoel Theatre Management Committee to be staged during the 2004-2005 season in collaboration with the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

The play has a strong cast, with Manuel Cauchi, Joe Cortis, Victor Debono, Anthony Ellul, Stephanie Farrugia, Jonathan Grima, Joe Pace, Michael Tabone, Charles Sammut and Alexandra Vella. Original music is provided by Ruben Zahra while Josette Ciappara is directing the play which is being presented at the Manoel Theatre on Saturday and Sunday, 7 and 8 May 2004 at 7.30.

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Vincent Vella was born in 1950 and currently teaches at the University of Malta. For a number of years he has been writing short stories in both English and Maltese, some of which have been published and have won prizes both locally and abroad.

He has also published a novel entitled Inside the Horse, a children’s book called Ziffa u Stejjer Ohra and, very recently, a book of plays with the title Bagalja Holm. He began writing plays in 1994, and has been among the winners in the Konkors ta’ Kitba ghall-Palk Premju Francis Ebejer on four occasions – the latest being in 2003 with Sawlu.

Some of his plays have been staged at the Manoel Theatre and at St James Cavalier. In 1999, Ernesto Panza was the regional winner for Europe in the BBC World Service Radio Playwriting Competition and it was broadcast on the BBC World Service. It was staged in 2002.

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What the judges said:

• “The theme of power and power-play both between individuals and masses, on political as well as personal levels, is a universal one… This is aptly researched throughout the play, starting from the very first scene…”

• “The plot is simple, clean and likeable…”

• “The powerful emotional bond between Kjara and Heronimu… is a leitmotif around which all other situations and relationships are played and makes for a rich background…”

• “The text is written in an easy manner and although it tries to research complex issues, it does so more through inference than direct exposition, maintaining a good balance and a lightness that should appeal to the audience.”