From Dr E. Bezzina

Paul (at St James` Cavalier – Friday) was a most commendable endeavour: well done to all involved. Appreciating the tremendous all-round commitment to put on this production, please let us have more of such high-calibre plays. Some comments:

* While for obvious reasons the English language medium meant loyalty to the original text, the message to local religious bigotry and hypocrisy would have been more forceful had Maltese been used as the medium to strengthen the argument that Man does not need any particular Faith to plod on to his overall destined objective;

* The audience (the faithful) should have been asked to remove their shoes and socks/tights to partake more forcefully and fruitfully in this two-hour meditation about the roots and significance of St Paul’s teachings as conveyed to the people of this Rock (as significantly symbolised by Peter even though this was not the author’s intention);

* Mary (Magdalene) should have been more seductive and sensuous to emphasise Christ’s overwhelming but controlled feelings about the paramount importance of sex in one’s life, particularly with one’s wife for those who harbour and accept the theory that Mary was Christ’s wife, as well as to underline the divorce innuendo;

* Paul could have been rougher, harsher and more fanatical to stress his liberality and the concept that Christ’s message was not only for Jews but also for gentiles, a poignant reference that Christianity (and the Catholic Church in particular) is not the only vehicle to redeem Man – nay even the might of Rome could share in this redemption!

* Traditions and impositions by autocratic religious leaders will only produce liberal rebels to discover the truthful path that will lead to man’s realisation of fulfilling his human commitments and the thereafter thatwill follow at the end of his human sojourn;

* Man will discover the Supreme Being with or without a religion so long as no oppressive religious fanaticism based on idiotic hierarchical notions is not imposed to respect the fundamental liberal concept of free will.

I sincerely hope that our recently-enthroned Archbishop, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition will see this much-needed cultural injection so that they might start to live the basic principle heralded by Christ – that State and religion do not mix and furthermore, that the free will of each citizen be respected in relation to his private life because that is the business of none but that individual’s!

Emmy Bezzina

VALLETTA