An excellent translation in Maltese by Guzi Gatt, has made accessible one of the works of the celebrated British playwright Harold Pinter, The Caretaker (Il-Kertejker).

Renowned for a new dramatic style that has been termed the comedy of menace, Pinter manages to intertwine comedy with drama through his unique use of language.

Guzi Gatt’s translation manages to capture this style, transferred on to the stage by the actors Renato Dimech, Michael Tabone and Hubert Mugliette.

They carry off the parts of the three characters, the brothers Aston and Mick, and the tramp Davies. Aston, who, it is later revealed, had suffered mental illness and undergone electric shock treatment, brings Davies into his house after rescuing him when he’s about to be beaten up.

Mick, a builder by trade, and who has difficulty in communicating with his brother, appears to resent this intrusion and he terrorizes Davies. However, Davies is eventually invited to take up the position of caretaker, but his selfish and inconsiderate behaviour towards Aston leads to his being told to leave. His effort to gain the support of Mick fails and the play ends with Davies appealing to Aston to let him stay – an appeal that looks doomed to fail.

The last three performances of Il-Kertejker will be on 17, 18 and 19 March, at St James Cavalier, at 8pm. Bookings from tel. no. 2122-3200 or [email protected].