As many folk who tread the boards of Malta’s theatres know, it can be tough sustaining a two-, let alone a three-weekend run of a show. Rare indeed then for a totally home-grown production to not only return but also to have done so via the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the London stage. Porn – a Maltese-made musical – is making its comeback this weekend (22-24 August). If you missed its previous runs, head to Valletta’s Pjazza Teatru Rjal (open-air theatre) to find out why it took you so long to see it.
Brief synopsis
First produced in Valletta in 2009, ‘Porn – the Musical’ is a locally written comedy that tells the story of the hapless Stefan Bugeja, a young Maltese man who goes off to America hoping to follow his dreams and start a new life. What he finds though isn’t entirely what he was expecting. It soon becomes clear that Stefan got far more than he bargained for as he unwittingly finds himself starring in a groundbreaking adult movie.
The show features such songs as ‘Everyone in Malta is Related’, ‘The Kind of Girl I Am’, ‘Naked on a Sunday’ and ‘I got a PhD’. Written by Malcolm Galea, Kris Spiteri and Boris Cezek, the show will star the original Edinburgh cast: Max Dingli, Sarah Naudi, Louis Cassar, Toni Attard, David Ellul, Eliza Borg Rizzo and Malcolm Galea.
Tickets: purchase from ticketline.com.mt
Reviews…
Following its original production, ‘Porn – the Musical’ went on to be performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009 before transferring to London in 2010. The show garnered a great many positive reviews and in 2011 won the Off West-End Award for Best New Musical.
“A cult classic to rival such shows as Rocky Horror.”
Hairline
“Take it in the spirit in which it’s intended and you’ll laugh your rocks off.”
Time Out London (Critics’ Choice)
“Thoroughly entertained its audience from foreplay to the final money shot.”
Whatsonstage
“Revels in its lack of depth and budget, sending up musical conventions, breaking the theatrical ‘fourth wall’ on occasion, and turning the crass dial up to 12.”
Fringe Review
“A great musical, for a wider range of audience than you would think.”
Remote Goat
“The fusion of seedy smut and puckish comedy is divinely inspired, and the show gleefully mocks every target available, including itself.” The Spectator
“This new musical … has all the right ingredients for a hit.”
The Stage