'The Gut' or Strait street in Valletta has long been famous or perhaps infamous. I remember years ago, before Strait street was turned into a street of eateries, being asked by the then Rector of the University of Malta, the late Prof. Edwin Borg Costanzi, if I could accompany a visiting rector from a British university as he wanted to have a look at Valletta. Once we were seated in my Citroën deux chevaux, known by family and friends as 'the yellow peril' because of my erratic driving, or so they said, I asked him what he was interested in seeing first of all and to my utter surprise, this staid man, in suit and cuff links said: 'The Gut'.
Young ladies then were not allowed anywhere near the Gut, but, although taken aback, we walked from one end to the other, stopping for a drink at The Egyptian Queen, just off Strait Street.
The rector did not seem very impressed. In the daytime Strait street was more or less just another street. It was night that transformed it.
After this novel experience and seeing a story in it, I then went down again with a male acquaintance and wrote an article about it for The Sunday Times of Malta.
So when the musical play Star of Strait Street was showing at the Splendid in Strait Street I was very interested in watching it. However, I missed it but at last managed to watch it at the Salesian theatre in Sliema last week, thus avoiding all the indignities and miseries which parking in Valletta brings with it.
The story of the entertainer, Christina Ratcliffe and the ace pilot, the much decorated Adrian Warburton, a heroic figure in Malta, is well known. If you are interested in his exploits read Marylands over Malta including the exploits of the legendary Wg Cdr Adrian Warburton by Brian Cull and Frederick Galea.
Like many love stories his and Christina's ends tragically. His plane was lost somewhere in southern Germany in 1944 when he was just 26 and his body only found in 2002.
Christina was dead by then, having become a recluse and an alcoholic, in her flat in Floriana, waiting for him to turn up. 'Her body was discovered in her bed, three months after her death.' How sad it that. No one should die alone.
To the surprise of many who turned up at the Salesian theatre, we were not allowed to sit in the auditorium but were directed to the seats on stage - about 80 of them. I afterwards asked Polly March, who plays the older Christina Ratcliffe why this was so. "We could have had the audience in the auditorium, but it would have lost that feel." She added that both Larissa Bonaci, who plays the younger Christina, and herself get quite emotional with the performances as the story matters so much to them and they love doing it. She adds: "It is a love song to the Maltese and the Maltese islands, at a time of terrible privation when the spirit shone out bright and clear and brave."
This short but enjoyable musical play is the creation of Philip Glassborow who wrote and directed the piece, as well as the music and the lyrics. He has the gift of intertwining pathos and comedy. Here I must not forget to mention the musical director Geoff Thomas who not only played the piano so beautifully but also sang in duo with Larissa.
From the seating on the side it was sometimes difficult to hear what the actors were saying if they were giving us their back. I learnt later that some of the sound was lost as the voices tend to whizz up to the fly tower when you are in certain spots on the stage.
How did Philip Glassborow come to write this musical play I asked Polly. "Do you remember a pastiche 1930s musical I directed at the Manoel called 'The Great Big Radio Show'? That was his. He and his wife Lizzie came over from Winchester for the opening night and stayed in a place in Strait Street. He came across a book about the area, and that's where he found the story of Christina and Warby. He and Lizzie fell in love with Malta, and particularly Valletta... and that's where it all began."
After Polly sent me a photo of Larissa and herself with John Rhys Davies I wanted to know how he had come into the picture. "He is an old friend and he played Gimli in Lord of the Rings and was in all the Indiana Jones films, as Harrison Ford's best friend in Morocco. He loves Malta and was desperate to be in the show. But Philip had to explain that he couldn't be so John then offered to help out in whatever way he could. As a major name in the film industry, we were not about to turn down that offer!"
JRD had come over to help out with a documentary that it is hoped is going to be shown sometime, and also to interview Diana Macintosh, mother of Cameron who likes Philip's work. As we know Diana is Maltese. The show was supported by The Macintosh Foundation. Polly tells me that Diana knew both Christina and Adrian and 'passed on some great stories' to them.
As a Vera Lynn fan I loved the songs which Larissa sang so beautifully. In fact I wish there were more of them. The audience enjoyed the humour behind 'We'll Meet again', a Vera Lynn staple. Its lyrics were changed by the author 'We'll Eat Again/ Don't know where/ Don't know when/
But I know we'll eat again some sunny day.
Remember we were really starving at the time with rationing and the Victory Kitchen trying to sort out the situation, until the miraculous convey arrived on the feast of Santa Marija.
An enjoyable evening, with not a dull moment throughout. I had never seen Larissa perform before and not only was she glamorous but gifted as well. Polly has kept theatre lovers going for several years now. Where would we be without her. Geoff Thomas, musical director, pianist and singer, was a revelation to most of us.
Star of Strait Street was not pretentious, plotless piffle as we have seen on the stage, from time to time, both here and abroad. On the contrary it has all the ingredients to make for a worthwhile evening. The characters ring true. The three of them have their heart in what they are doing and this comes across and engages the audience.
I might even go to see it again at the Phoenicia on 15th May. There is even talk of taking it to London but dates have not yet been fixed.
Let me finish with Blaise Pascal's popular quote: "The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of...We know the truth not only by the reason but by the heart." No truer words were spoken. At least Christina and Adrian had lived a wonderful love story but the sadistic caprice of providence could not bear to watch it last. Well, after all there is some consolation to be had from this musical play as there are many who weren't as fortunate in their love life.
The Star of Strait Street is full of feeling and nostalgia and I left the theatre feeling all the better after watching it. I went back home and played my vinyl of Vera Lynn songs.
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