Depeche Mode musical ‘Playing the Angel’ to be staged in Malta in 2011

Theatre company Unifaun has acquired the rights to incorporate Depeche Mode songs such as “Personal Jesus,” “Everything Counts” and “Just Can’t Get Enough” into “Playing the Angel: The Musical,” which is set to open early next year.

According to the Unifaun Theatre Co.’s website, the musical — written by Adrian Buckle — also will include “Walking in My Shoes,” “It’s No Good” and “People are People,” and will be “a coming-of-age story of two 15-year-old boys, Dave and Andy, as they grow up and learn to deal with life, sexuality, addiction and relationships.”

In an interview published by the Times of Malta, Buckle — noting the worldwide success of such feel-good pop-based musicals as “Mamma Mia!” and “We Will Rock You” — says he’s working on “a new kind of musical,” and notes “Depeche Mode are not ABBA or Queen. The story can’t be a happy one.”

“Playing the Angel” — named after Depeche Mode’s 2005 album — is scheduled to play in Malta in late February and early March, and the Times notes the production team would like to take the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as well. Buckle is still writing the script, and the musical is not yet cast; auditions are slated for June 27.