Ċimiterji - a theatrical project

  
 

teatrutramm and Inizjamed

13-14 August 2005, MITP Theatre, Valletta, 21.30

during the Summer University of Performing Arts (29 July - 31 August 2005, MITP)

Click here to see the Full programme of SUPA

 

Performers

   Kevin Attard, Marion Zammit, Claire Zerafa

Director

   Marcelle Teuma

Designer

   Pierre Portelli

Scriptwriter

   Clare Azzopardi

Music

   Karl Fiorini

Antigone in Maltese

   Oliver Friggieri

 

Cimiterji is a theatrical project that travels between two main stages. We will be working on one whilst maintaining the other well in sight. The first stage to be presented tonight is based upon the Greek tragedy Antigone written by Sophocles in the fourth century BC. One of the central themes of this play is the conflict between the individual and the power of the state. Creon, King of Thebes, declares that whilst Eteocles will be given a full and honourable funeral, Polyneices, his brother will be left unburied in the sun for the animals to devour. Their sister Antigone defies this law proclaimed by her uncle and future father-in-law and is determined to bury her brother Polyneices even if it means her own death.

 

The work done with the text of Antigone will be the backdrop in our next stage of the project. The performance will focus on the conflict between Human Law (Creon’s prohibition) and the Divine Law requiring that the dead be put to rest with proper rituals. This will be presented within the context of Malta in the 60s when the Church had cast the Interdict upon activists of the Labour Party and those of them who died during that time were not allowed to be buried on sacred ground.

 

  
     
  teatrutramm  
     
  teatrutramm was launched with a theatrical presentation of Clare Azzopardi’s short story of "Jien ix-Xhud." It was presented during an activity organised by Inizjamed for World Book Day at Caraffa Stores in Birgu in April 2005. teatrutramm is a multidisciplinary group made up of artists from different artistic fields. So far its line of action is to promote a greater awareness of our own culture which lies within that of the Mediterranean, to respond to it and recreate it using the language of theatre.