Produced by FM Theatre Productions and Theatre Next Door, "No Pay? No Way!" is a Dario Fo classic, set in a working-class neighbourhood in the 70s where supermarket prices have doubled thus sending the town into an uproarious hysteria. The spike in everyday prices ignites a spontaneous riot among the women of the town as they storm the local supermarket taking whatever they can off the shelves.
Elated, Antonia returns home with piles of stolen goods, some of which she realises are pretty useless once home, with nowhere to hide them when Margherita walks in just before her devoted husband appears. The women have no choice but to fake a miracle pregnancy, quickly shoving the contraband up Margherita's coat with no time to spare! Events wonderfully, chaotically and hilariously spiral to a stomach-splitting crescendo as their, not so little, white lie goes completely out of hand.
"This play was written in the 1970s by Dario Fo where he talks about prices going up suddenly causing people to revolt and take food from supermarkets without paying for it," says FM Theatre Productions Managing Director and Actor Edward Mercieca. "It's a fantastically hilarious play which, even though, was written years ago, is very relevant to this day and age."
Directed by Chris Gatt, the Dario Fo comedy, adapted by Marieke Hardy, features a powerhouse of a group of theatre veterans with Pia Zammit, Edward Mercieca, Faye Paris, Nathan Brimmer and Malcolm Galea in the lead roles. Set in a world where the working class has had enough of unfair wages and mistreatment "No Pay? No Way!" serves as a satirical mirror reflecting the comedic, and at times ridiculous, aspects of the workforce.
From witty one-liners to laugh-out-loud situations, the play highlights themes of gender and inequality along with the power of collective action while delivering riotous laughter as the characters navigate through the play's uproarious twists and turns.
"No Pay? No Way!" will be staged at the Theatre Next Door from Friday 20th October till Sunday 29th October. For tickets and more information visit www.tnd.com.mt
This production is supported by Arts Council Malta.