Watch: Sant the playwright gives politician’s non-answers

Former prime minister Alfred Sant put on his playwright’s hat and steadfastly refused to be drawn into any controversy over his latest play, which is to open at Teatru Pjazza Rjal on July 11 and run until July 16. Commissioned by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, Balzunetta Towers tackles one of Malta’s most flagrant secrets of Malta – Balzunetta – also known as Strait Street’s naughty sister in Floriana. Ironically, Balzunetta was located in the environs of the seminary, the police headquarters and the Armed Forces headquarters. The story unfolds as an international businessman – Donald Trump Junior – makes a deal with a local contractor to build a high-rise tower near Valletta and they earmark the Balzunetta area. They actually buy the Curia and the Police Depot but find it hard to buy off the last barmaid of Balzunetta who does not want to sell because of her memories. However, all Vanessa Macdonald’s efforts to get him to talk about the ties between businessmen and politics, and to draw out his experience when prime minister failed spectacularly. Balzunetta Towers, one of the events of the Malta International Arts Festival 2017, involves more than 100 people, including...