Malta performances of The Lockerbie Bomber

[A report published yesterday on the website of the Maltese newspaper The Independent reads as follows:]

The intriguing real-life drama The Lockerbie Bomber is DnA Theatre Productions’ first production for 2013-2014. The new play is timely as it falls on the 25th anniversary of the downing of flight PA 103 on 21 December 1988, in which 270 people died.

Kenneth Ross’s hard-hitting script posits that Abdelbaset al Megrahi, the Libyan man eventually tried and convicted for the bombing, could have been a scapegoat, and that governments have systematically covered up the truth behind the bombing for years.

The choice of a controversial drama is a drastic change from the comic fare usually produced by DnA Productions. Executive producers Denise Mulholland and Alan Montanaro are aware that DnA has a reputation for comedy, but hope the company also has a reputation for putting on good quality, well-acted, engaging shows.

The company is committed to producing the best and most interesting work possible, so when a script like The Lockerbie Bomber was presented to them by director Herman Grech, Mulholland and Montanaro realised it would provide the opportunity to expand their repertoire.

The Lockerbie Bomber makes its international debut in Malta with a cast of Malta’s finest actors including Mikhail Basmadjian, Julia Calvert, Manuel Cauchi, Alan Montanaro, Denise Mulholland and Alan Paris. The Edinburgh Guide described it as “the most important play you will see this year.”

Dr Jim Swire, who lost his daughter Flora in the Lockerbie tragedy, said: “We seek only the truth, yet those who seek to deceive opted to use Malta as a locus for using Mr Megrahi as a channel through which to blame Libya for Lockerbie. I believe the Maltese people should be aware of how their nation's name has been defiled.”

The Lockerbie Bomber will be performed at St James Cavalier on 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10 November at 8pm. The Lockerbie Bomber is certified 16.

Ticket prices are €15. For bookings phone on 2122 3216, 2122 3200; e-mail boxoffice@sjcav.org or visit www.sjcav.org.

[Dr Swire and Justice for Megrahi secretary Robert Forrester will be present in Malta for at least some of these performances. Meetings with senior Maltese figures, including the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat, have been arranged.]