Right. Wrong. Both. Black. White. Grey. Is there room for a clean or clear conscience in the modern world?

Studio 18's new production attempts to explore this quandary in its latest theatre piece inspired by Collodi's Pinocchio. Ten years in, this company is no stranger to turning tales on their head and giving them a relevant twist.

This time, they've adapted a well-loved story to the Maltese landscape, driven by whimsical text, song, and play. Penned by Anton Saliba and directed by Jean-Marc Cafá, 'Il-Giddieb Għomru Twil' stretches the canvas of a culture of impunity. At face value, it's a simple tale of a local adolescent trying to navigate his way through life. At a deeper level, this piece challenges the pre-defined binary of right and wrong. Cafa' explains: "This  time, Pinocchio (played by Jamie Cardona) takes a different route, wrestles with his conscience in unexpected ways. Whereas the storyline is closer to the original tale than the Disney version, it still deviates to echo the complexities of Western society in 2023."

This production promises an hour of punches and surprises, accompanied by Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur's re-orchestration of well-loved tunes and movement language by Rochelle Gatt. Sporting a stellar cast, including Jamie Cardona, Sean Borg, Rebecca Camilleri, Benjamin Abela, and Nadine Farrugia, this production is a must-see.

Marking its 10-year anniversary, Studio 18 returns to its roots: Il-Giddieb Għomru Twil premieres on the 17th, 18th and 19th of March at the Spazju Kreattiv Theatre, the space that gave birth to the concept of the Studio. Tickets are available for purchase here.