L-ARKIVJU
MANIFEST '72
The author’s MANIFESTO, which was first published in 1972
with the collection of plays “4 DRAMMI"
"This first collection of plays which
were written between 1968 and 1970, consists of plays written for
radio, television and stage.
Dramatic works are not meant to be just read - to achieve
their aim they must read an audience. However, there used to be a
time when I used to write with great eagerness and this creative
effort itself gave me satisfaction enough. Sadly however I soon
realised that this temporary personal satisfaction
was not enough. The audience always remains the raison
d’etre of any dramatic work. But
where is this appreciative Maltese audience, ready to criticise or
appreciate? It is true that many are
those who go to the theatre with an “Enjoy yourself – go to
the teatrin!” mentality, a mentality that is in itself
wrong. Where is this appreciative audience then? It definitely is
not that comfortable, self-satisfied crowd resting easy in their
seats waiting for the curtains to open on a teatrin! So
where is it, this audience? And the critics?... And all those that
are supposed to be there to encourage the arts in all its
manifestations?... (Where are they?) The failings of drama in
Malta are countless.THE MALTESE STAGE DOES NOT EXIST – it does not
exist because we do not want to recognise these failings. So why
should I write for the stage? Why did I write the plays which are
collected in this anthology? I wish I knew.... Once they have
been written, I now pass them on to the readers in the hope that
somebody, someday might ask “ Why shouldn’t we have a Maltese
Theatre”?"
OC (1972)
