NOSTRUM’s creative team comprises Leah Davies (Stage Manager), Chris Gatt (Light Designer), Luke Cucciardi (Sound Designer), and Zsofiá Kelemen (Intern).

Set in Malta in the near future, NOSTRUM follows 28-year-old budding musician Shawn as he starts consuming Vexatel – a new type of medication that will make him forget his recently deceased girlfriend, Katrina.

Throughout this weeks-long process, Shawn meets Steff, an employee working for the company producing Vexatel. As she administers his medication, the two discover an unsavoury truth about Katrina’s demise.

NOSTRUM explores the events leading up to Shawn’s decision to start the treatment, the secrets Steff is hiding from her patient, and how Shawn’s unlikely friendship with Steff alters his view on grief.

“Maltese society tends to be overwhelmingly conservative in how it deals with grief. With NOSTRUM, we seek to shine a spotlight on exactly that, whilst showing that celebrating the lives of our deceased loved ones, as opposed to mourning them in silence, may be a healthier course of action,” said Benjamin Abela, Writer and Co-Director.

“The project’s team couldn’t be more thankful to our sponsors and collaborating organisations for helping us bring NOSTRUM to life.”

“This project is very dear to me; not only from a professional aspect, but also from a personal one. Grief and loss are universal experiences that feed well into NOSTRUM’s story, and having such talented young artists bring this text to life on stage is bound to be an unforgettable experience for myself and the rest of the project’s creative team,” said Brendon Thearle, Co-Director.

The play will be staged at the Spazju Kreattiv Theatre, Valletta on 3rd November at 8pm, 4th November at 8pm, and 5th November at 7pm.

The performance on 3rd November will be followed by a brief panel discussion about the project and its corresponding themes.

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