The premise is the year 2036: A boisterously merry satire where Joseph Muscat is still in power, ruling over Malta with most of the electorate behind him. He yearns to end his career honourably but will not, cannot resign, not with such a devout following, including a faction that is ready to declare him King of Malta. Then the news comes that Malta has struck it rich, rich beyond anyone's expectations. Oil is found right under the Addolorata cemetery! So then come the reactions from the PN, the Curia, the business class elite, China, Eurasia and so many more. Hilarious is an understatement.

The script is written by one of Malta's most satirical pens - Wayne Flask. "The satire is scathing", says director Sean Buhagiar, who returns to the boards after directing last year's smash hit Jiena nħobb, inti tħobb. "It's open season on anybody who's somebody in the political sphere... and beyond. Wayne is not very forgiving, and his satire is truly clever and his comedy blatantly tongue-in-cheek."

Sibna iż-zejt goes beyond the usual send-up of local politics. Murder, conspiracy, blackmail, kidnapping, and a coup d'état are only some of the plot points on the evening's comedy menu. Included in this futuristic world is the technological possibility to seek advice from deceased souls. Consequently, when Joseph needs to take a moment to reflect and ponder his choices, he resorts to the 'M solution', a machine that enables him to confer with Mintoff himself! And on and on it goes!

What's truly refreshing is that the play retains the original names of the people it is satirising, and there are a lot of them. "It's all in good fun, with a not so subtle pulling of political ears" adds Mario Philip Azzopardi, Staġun Teatru Malti's (STM) producer. "What makes this production (our ninth) different is that Wayne Flask's script is really an intelligent farce about our political spectrum, daring the audience to take a good funny look at our own exasperating, frustrating, infuriating, maddening, political shenanigans."

This is nothing new for STM, which prides itself on producing only daring, often controversial, new original theatrical plays about the Maltese Experience. Going by its past success so far, this promises to be a hilarious, delicately sculpted piece of professional theatre to remember.

STM is presenting Sibna iż-zejt at the Manoel for eight performances, including a matinee on Sunday. The cast is made up of some of our best comedic talent, including Mario Micallef, Simon Curmi, Ronald Briffa, JP Busuttil, Manuel Cassar, Gilbert Formosa, Clive Piscopo, Luke Dalli, Alan Fenech, Frank Tanti, Triccas, Brussels-based actress Antonella Axisa and Peter Busuttil's return to the Manoel. 

A great cast, fresh direction and an original hysterical script. This one is really not to be missed. Staġun Teatru Malti's second offering this season will be presented at the Manoel Theatre on 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24 May.

Booking is open at the Manoel box office or online at http://www.teatrumanoel.com.mt/