‘Il-Manifest tal-Qlub Maqsuma’, or "The Broken Hearts Manifesto," might sound like a romantic comedy at first, but it’s far from it. This May, Spazju Kreattiv in Valletta will host a gripping political drama that dives deep into Malta’s turbulent 1980s – a period marked by division and unrest.

For two weekends, from 9th to 11th May and 16th to 18th May, audiences will be taken back to a 1984 Malta, nearing the end of Mintoff’s political reign. The play follows Kris, the son of Fredu Pisani, whose father’s decisions, made years earlier and driven by family interests, pull him into the turmoil of the past. A formidable cast takes the stage, comprising Ben Abela, Peter Galea, Mikhail Basmadjian, Raquel Theuma, Michela Farrugia, Gianni Selvaggi and Marvic Doughty.

Miguel Formosa, the play’s director, and his co-writer Josue Formosa, set out to explore this period with a raw and unflinching lens. As Miguel explains, ‘unlike the 80s in America, which we constantly see portrayed through music, pop culture, and neon-soaked nostalgia, Malta’s 80s had a very different texture – grittier, quieter, and in many ways, more complex.’ He notes that it’s still viewed today as a notoriously divisive period in Malta’s history – ‘some remember it as a golden age, others as a nightmare.’

Miguel comments that this period in Malta’s history is often glossed over, both in public discussion and in school textbooks. He believes that this chapter of Malta’s past is often ‘selectively forgotten – intentionally or not’.

Reflecting on his own childhood, Miguel recalls being told not to speak about politics, yet his curious nature has led him and Josue to do just that, and then some. Their research, which spanned over a year, involved nearly 400 hours of interviews with people who were politically active during that time. Their fuel – during their countless late night and early morning sessions sifting through pieces of history – is the belief that ‘the 80s are a crucial piece of Malta’s identity. They continue to shape how we think, how we argue, how we see politics today ... It’s a period that deserves to be remembered and explored, not erased.’

Although neither Miguel nor Josue lived through the 1980s, they consider themselves to be ‘undeniably shaped by it.’ Miguel describes the story as one that deals with ‘how fragile we are, how easily divided, but at its core, it’s deeply human. That’s what makes it personal – because even though we didn’t live it, we’ve been living with its shadow our whole lives.’

‘Il-Manifest tal-Qlub Maqsuma’ will be performed in Maltese, with English surtitles available on Sunday 11th and Friday 16th May performances. Showtimes for Fridays and Saturdays are at 8 PM, with the Sunday performances starting at 7 PM.

Tickets and additional details can be found on the Spazju Kreattiv website.

Intrigued?