The play Bogħod mill-Għajn, by prolific local writer Vincent Vella tells the turbulent story of the Diacono family after Vittorio, the father, is arrested and later deported first to Egypt and later to Uganda, together with another 42 Maltese citizens at the height of World War II. With the lines drawn between the pro-British and pro-Italian factions, Ersilia, the wife, and Davide, the son, have to manoeuvre their way through the politically-charged events of the time.
Mr Vella explains that the play’s title can be understood in two ways:
“In Maltese we say: bogħod mill-għajn, bogħod mill-qalb, (out of sight, out of mind) – a fitting comment on the young love between Davide and Beth, an English nurse, which is truncated before it is allowed to take root. However, bogħod mill-għajn can also mean away from the source. This refers to the decisions taken by some on behalf of others whose lives are, in the process, devasted, as family members fall out and ideologies and friends are betrayed.”
Mr Vella says that he finds the process of watching his plays unfold on stage an “exhilarating, exhausting experience”. Although each time he finds himself saying, “never again”, this is his tenth play to be produced locally.
“This is a strong evocative play. I truly believe that what happened at the time deserves to be told. I would also have thought that enough time has passed to enable us to approach it, if not dispassionately, at least with a modicum of detachment.
“I was wrong – hurt and rancour linger on for an extraordinary length of time, especially in those closely related to the protagonists, and even ‘telling it as it is’ calls for empathy and sensitivity,” he says.
Director Alan Fenech says that he believes that the play is similar to a film script – the scenes are short, take place in a number of locations and there are a large number of characters:
“The play itself is a very character-based one and therefore during rehearsals a great deal of attention is being given to characterisation and an in-depth study of the characters and the relationships between them. I liked the play from the very first time I read it. I think Vince has done a superb job in using a salient but under-commented era in the political history of our islands as a background to a story which unwinds as the play progresses. The plot itself keeps you thinking throughout the play and also presents an interesting historical comment.”
Mr Fenech says that the intriguing plot of the play and the era in which it is set should be of great interest to the general public.
“The story of those Maltese who were deported during the time of the British colonialist years is still an open wound to some members of society who still cannot understand the grave injustice which people such as Nerik Mizzi, Herbert Ganado and others suffered. I believe that the political aspect of our rich history should be given the right importance and this play presents an occasion for those who remember the times and those who don’t to try and understand another chapter in the history of Malta,” he says.
The cast includes John Suda, Nadine Abela, André Penza, Renato Dimech,Stefan Farrugia, Michelle Zerafa and Jo Caruana, among others.
• Bogħod mill-Għajn, which is being staged by the Manoel Theatre and Maleth Theatre Group, takes place at the Manoel Theatre on May 7 and 8 at 8p.m. Tickets may be obtained by phone on 2124 6389 or online: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.