It's been a hundred years now, yes a century ago that Maltese author Ġuże' Chetcuti was born. To mark this event the local dramatic company, Talenti In partnership with Teatru Manoel is producing a thriller in two acts by Żep Camilleri and freely adapted from Chetcuti's drama called Imħuħ Morda. With audience certificate 12+, this thriller will be performed at the Manoel Theatre on 14, 15 and 16 November, each day at 8pm.In a tiny, nameless, idyllic seaside village, a family of three gathers for a short break at its holiday retreat house. It is Carnival season in February. The father, Anton is a novel writer and a poet, a man of finicky ideas. His wife, Lizette, who once graced the local theatres with her ballet routines, is French by origin and was brought to Malta by Anton's sister Emilia, a theatre impresario. Their daughter Suzanne is an 18 year old student. A bit like her father she entertains fussy ideas, an apparent effect of being an avid reader of his books.Our story occurs in a very small square in the village hub dominated by a typical village wine bar, which is the property of dear old Netta. A frequent client to this bar is Totinu, a doleful and sad gardener but who carries an impossible dream of success and wealth. Dr Alex Calamatta is a psychiatrist and a childhood friend with Anton. He now returns, on retirement, to Anton's call for help, namely to monitor the mental condition of Lizette, who according to Anton has simply lost it, and is subsequently suspicious of her behaviour. One final character is Oswald, Suzanne's boyfriend, a likeable guy but who is riddled with his family's problems. The drama thrives on every character's personal issues. The focal one belongs to Anton who has simply lost his thrust in practially everyone, but mainly in his wife Lizette, and hers in him. However, other issues belonging to other characters become relevant too as the story unfolds mostly when we learn that Alex Calamatta had one massive crush on Lizette years before without Anton knowing till some time ago. What relationship did Alex have with Emilia? What dangers does Totinu's apparent innocence create? How reliable is Netta? And Oswald? How does he come into it? And, there's a lot to know about Suzanne.This gripping story identifies some of the dramatic social tribulations that encompass quite a handful of members in society, now and always; love, hate, treachery, spying, suspicions and other personality monsters that time and again are inadvertently exposed and hyped.The cast is made up of:  Mario Micallef, Monika Attard, Antonella Galea Loffreda, Anthony Ellul, Marvic Cordina, Larissa Bonaci, Mario Spiteri (Snitz), Clive Piscopo and Nico Micallef.Direction is in the hands of Żep Camilleri.Booking is now open at the Manoel Theatre Booking Office (Tel: 21246389).
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