Satirical theatre meets live journalism: 'Press Mute' takes the stage in Valletta this February
Looking for some intriguing theatre to fill your winter calendar? Press Mute is a satirical theatre production that dives headfirst into the blurred lines between truth, lies, media power and the relentless pace of modern technology. Set in a world where both facts and feelings vie for attention and serious investigations struggle to cut through influencer noise, the play asks a simple but unsettling question: how do you get anyone to care?
The story follows two exhausted journalists chasing a scandal, alongside some recognisable characters from society, and an ever-present algorithm that seems to understand us better than we understand ourselves. As the action unfolds, Press Mute blurs the boundary between performance and reality, inviting the audience to engage directly with the issues on stage.
With direct audience interaction and a mix of live performance and multimedia, the play challenges viewers to consider their own role in shaping narratives in a world where outrage can quickly become entertainment.
Written and directed by editor and journalist Herman Grech, whose works include De-terminated and They Blew Her Up, Press Mute reflects a sharp journalistic immediacy that speaks directly to contemporary concerns. The one-act play features a strong cast of familiar names from both stage and media: Mark Laurence Zammit, Michela Farrugia, Davide Tucci, Philip Leone Ganado and Trudy Kerr.
Produced by Udjenza as part of its special anniversary season celebrating five years of artistic creation under the artistic direction of Toni Attard, Press Mute runs at Spazju Kreattiv, St James Cavalier, for six performances — from Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd February, and the following weekend from Friday 27th February to Sunday 1st March.
Intrigued?