All families are psychotic

Whether you voted Yes or No (or whether you voted at all) in last May's divorce referendum, you'll be more than entertained by Dwar menopawsi, minorenni u muturi high speed - a sparkling, darkly comic look at the ultimate sacred cow, the Maltese family. With its razor-sharp wit, rapid pace and vigorous, realistic dialogue, this explosive new play by Alfred Buttigieg, directed by the gifted Malcolm Galea of Porn fame, is the one theatre event you can't miss this season.

The middle-aged Henry and Kate seem walled up for ever in their dull marriage until three teenage children blow their lives wide open again. The embittered, depressed Henry longs for one last sip of the summer wine and it comes in the intoxicating form of his son's girlfriend, Fay. So electrified is he by the sexual passion she arouses in him that the line between reality and delusion blurs.

Kate seems happier and more sensible, a guidance teacher who enjoys giving her husband nuggets of modern wisdom. It's a mere front, though. She has become invisible to her self-pitying husband and their flamboyant son. There is one place, however, where she's not allowed to fade into the background. At her school, boys with all sorts of needs and problems are beating down the staffroom door clamouring for her. Especially Donald, who wants more from her than counselling...

See how the salacious comedy of errors unfolds on January 27-29 and February 3-5 at St James Cavalier, Valletta. The cast includes Pierre Stafrace, Angele Galea, Jacob Piccinino, Tina Rizzo and Imran Sheikh.

Tickets are at €15 (€10 for the opening night, and for students). Tickets can be booked by emailing [email protected] or calling 21 223200. The play is rated 18.