From Mr J. Grech

Days after attending Sunday’s performance, I still feel bemused at the raw power of Joseph Vella Bondin’s latest massive play Awstralja. The manner in which he vividly manages to portray bygone days in the life of Maltese society is indeed impressive. Blurbs advertising it in the media spoke of the author as being one of Malta’s leading contemporary dramatists. I believe he could be our major dramatist, with Awstralja and his other plays adding substantially to our rather meagre theatrical patrimony.

Praise are also due to Bronk productions for taking on a most demanding play, to John Suda for so ably directing it, surely one of his major achievements in a long distinguished theatrical career, and for the actors, the majority relatively unknown, for giving, overall, powerful performances. Their total commitment to and belief in the play made for a stimulating experience.

It is a pleasure to be able to write this letter, given the present difficulties being faced by our native theatre. Indeed, I feel it my duty to point out that the Manoel Theatre’s current season includes as many as four original plays in Maltese. Is this auspicious happening the resurgence of our original drama, whose need has so long been felt? In the name of Maltese theatre and culture, I urge the Minister for Culture and other involved institutions such as the Manoel Theatre and St James Centre for Creativity to do everything in their power to encourage this very unexpected upward trend.

Jack Grech

NIGRET

ZURRIEQ