Water and electricity details and statistics are now coming out of our ears. We have been bombarded with information about the proposal by the Labour Party to build a new power station which, they contend, will lower electricity rates by 25 per cent, as well as with criticism of the proposal from the Nationalist Party to the effect that such proposal is not feasible within the time frames and the budget framework suggested by the Labour Party and that, ultimately, it will lead to more expensive electricity for us all.

So I thought that, as we still have another seven weeks of political statements in an attempt by the parties to woo Joe Public, that I would steer away from the norm of commenting on some political happening or other and head towards another road.

Having culture close to heart, though not, unfortunately, having enough time to enjoy more of it, I visited a theatre in London’s West End last week and this reminded me of my belief in the need to change the mentality towards, and myths that surround, culture, on which on a number of occasions in the past I have expressed myself and written about, even at times controversially.

We have just had our country’s three largest annual paying cultural events over the Christmas holidays, spread across Malta’s main venues for the holding of such events and hosted by the major theatre and drama troupes of the island: the Christmas pantomimes. There can be no argument that people look forward to such events and participate in them, along with their families. A number of other interesting events are held throughout the theatrical season, which I can safely say has now been extended well outside our theatres and has brought on board many villages and towns all around Malta. The hard work on the part of the people involved in these cultural events, who have contributed to such development, merits recognition and words of encouragement.

The above begs the perennial question of whether the culture we are currently producing is attracting the numbers – in terms of audiences – that it should. This is immediately countermanded by the question of whether we are giving the public the cultural events that it wants and demands. Do we go for numbers or quality? Do we go for profit-making events, or do we introduce funding opportunities to ensure that we have a mix of the cultural riches a country always needs?

Where does the source of our problems lie? Starting with audiences, we may question whether they are at all interested in cultural events or whether they have now become occupied with other activities as a result of the changes that have taken place in society over the last 30 years. I personally believe that blaming the lack of audiences on changes in society is an easy way out. I believe it is true that cultural events have more competition today with so many other things going on at the weekend. However, a lack of audiences is not something that is happening in many other countries in Europe and they too have undergone significant changes in society over the years and play host to a booming number of events on a daily basis. Proof of this is the fact that buying a ticket for a good play in the West End is near to impossible unless well planned in advance. So where does the problem lie?

I believe that we need to change the mentality of theatre planning. Theatre in Malta remains perceived as an elitist event, notwithstanding the efforts made over the last decade to bring about a change in this mentality by putting productions of interest to a wide range of audiences and generations. Production houses have worked tirelessly to attract new audiences, and some success is visible, but statistically one cannot note any shifts in mentality, not even in our younger audiences. Why is this?

I believe that one of the ways of giving a fresh impetus to audiences is the removal of formality in our theatres. I believe it is high time to remove the myth that the theatre requires a jacket and tie for attendees. I believe it is high time to permit food and drink to be taken into our theatres. I believe that theatres should permit production houses to be bolder in their productions. Can one currently imagine putting up Singing in the Rain in our theatres and pouring water down in the theatre? Can we imagine ourselves as audiences and the position we would take if, during such a cultural outing, we were to get wet? Would we be positive about the props introduced or would we criticise and threaten to sue the production house?

I believe it is high time not only to reach out to our future audiences by making the first moves to ensure that the theatre becomes their home on a weekly basis, but also for us, as theatre lovers, to accept changing times and be more positive about the changes needed in our theatres.

Attracting audiences will not only strengthen budgets for future events but will also ingrain in the mentality of the public the fact that the theatre is an important part of one’s personal development and social life.

I believe that all of the above is inevitable.