Red Bus Londinium Life

The issue of abortion rights in Malta is a hugely important and topical one and is one which Marta Valetta and Davinia Hamilton clearly are hugely impassioned by. The story of US woman, Andrea Prudente, stuck in Malta with a non-viable pregnancy in 2022 showed the world a side of Malta of which we had perhaps previously been unware.

This play is immensely well researched and the authentic viewpoints of many Maltese women are covered as well as those of Andrea and her partner, Jay.

The play can sometimes feel confused as many strands of Maltese life and views are woven through: World War 2; Valetta and Hamilton’s own lives; non-fiction testimony (sometimes video, sometimes acted); a fictious character called May, the arrival of Christianity and an ancient sea myth.

Paring back some of these many strands and voices might make for a more coherent show though it is clear that Valetta and Hamilton were very keen to present a range of testimonies honestly (and I presume that not all those they interviewed were prepared to be shown).

The staging and costumes are sparse but clever and mostly work. The representation of a Maltese childhood was especially strong. Interspersing video worked well, though it was easier to see when it was projected on a rear screen rather than on a white curtain mid-stage.

At some points, there were too many competing sounds for me to pick out. This may have been a deliberate choice to show a state of confusion and overwhelm but I was left unsure.

It was a fitting touch that an abortion charity was represented for audience members to engage with after the show.

Blanket Ban is playing at Southwark Playhouse Borough (their original venue) until May 20th.

Have you seen Blanket Ban? Let me know your thoughts below.