Although written 2,400 years ago, In-Nisa Fenici (The Phoenician Maidens) by Euripides discusses a subject which is still relevant today –the bad blood created in families when siblings start fighting over an inheritance.

Director Lino Farrugia explained that In-Nisa Fenci is about Phoenician ladies from the south Mediterranean, who crossed over to the island of Sicily.

“Many years ago, as students at university we studied the story of Oedipus and this play is the tail end of his story. This is one of the reasons why I chose to do this particular Greek play,” he said.

“Human nature has changed very little over the past 3,000 years,” Mr Farrugia said. The main plot is about inheritance and the riches Oedipus is going to leave to his sons and neither wants to share it with the other. “Does this sound familiar to you?”

One of the subplots in the play is about self-sacrifice – a young man is ready to sacrifice his life for the good of his people and his country. “Again something that is quite relevant today – it seems very little has changed over the years except for the way we live.”

Directing the play came at a price: “Less evenings at home, more sleepless nights, more telephone calls – I need to be more patient – but it has been pure pleasure.”

Although he has lost count of the number of plays he has directed – this should be close to a 100 or more – Mr Farrugia said that “every play is a new experience, like a new born babe.”

According to the play, Oedipus’ great-grandfather was Phoenician – therefore Oedipus is Phoenician, and the Maltese can relate to that.

“In Greek plays there are subjects that even today one finds difficulty discussing, such as incest, matricide and revenge.”

The play forms part of the cultural events series Evenings on Campus organised by Koperattiva Kulturali Universitarja, and will be presented at the University of Malta’s Vassalli Hall at tal-Qroqq.

Lino Farrugia has a top cast for Euripides’s play In-Nisa Fenici. This consists of Karmen Azzopardi and Mario Micallef who will be playing the main roles of Jocasta and Oedipus respectively. Anthony Ellul will be playing the double role of Teiresias and Messenger. Other important roles will be played by Carlos Farrugia – Polyneices; Victor Debono – Eteocles; Vince Micallef – Creon; Denise Mintoff – Evadne; Beverly Pace – Antigone; Mario Abela – Servant and Claudio Carta – Menoeceus. A chorus of Phoenician maidens, composed of Daniela Galea, Yvette Buhagiar, Elisa Delia, Miriam Fiteni, Simone Ellul and Alison Desira, completes the cast.

Translated into Maltese by Lino Farrugia, In-Nisa Fenici forms part of the calendar of cultural events of the Summer Arts Festival 2005 organised by The Malta Council for Culture and the Arts.

Tonight is the last show. Tickets at Lm3, can be purchased at the door.