It was funded by Arts Council England and it had two successful four-week runs both at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2022 and The Southwark Playhouse in London in Spring 2023. It will be debuting in Malta at the start of March and despite getting rave reviews in the UK, it has been met with harsh criticism from Maltese commenters years before it even debuted on the island.

From being told to go to hell and more disturbingly implying that some women deserve to be gang raped for how they dress, Hamilton and Vella have received their fair share of negativity in their bid to raise awareness.

“It’s never easy to receive hateful comments, but it’s also not surprising given the sensitivity of the topic. Thankfully, we are able to just laugh most of them off. However, some are particularly misogynistic, and those are harder to deal with as they remind us that misogyny is still a real problem. We understand that Blanket Ban challenges deeply held beliefs, and with that comes resistance,” Vella and Hamilton told Lovin Malta.

“First, they go out almost naked, then they go to some club full of aggressive men, and then they wonder why they got ‘gang raped’. It’s like saying you walked into a jungle full of snakes and tigers, and threw yourself on the ground ready to be slaughtered,” one man once wrote.

Vella went on to explain that their reaction is to stay focused on the intention of the play: “to shed light on stories that are too often silenced”.

“We hope that, over time, even those who disagree can see that this is ultimately about compassion, understanding, and giving people the freedom to share their truth.”

Vella and Hamilton went on to confirm that the hate comes predominantly from Maltese people, with some even saying they shouldn’t return to the country after they announced their win of the Untapped Award and their performance in Edinburgh.

“There were people saying we should never return to Malta, that we are betraying our country, that we have no talent. It was so bizarre. Meanwhile, international audiences were very supportive, and we received excellent reviews in the British press,” they explained.

The hateful comments continued as the pair achieved more success, with the anonymity of social media making it easier for people to express hostility without accountability, they said.

They’ve been called “rubbish”, “murderers”  and “cowards”. They’ve been told it’s a pity that they themselves weren’t aborted and that they should be imprisoned for their activism.

“But behind this hate, I believe there is fear — fear of change, of challenging long-held beliefs. That’s why it’s so important to create spaces where people can engage in honest, respectful conversations, even when it’s difficult.”

The pair went on to say that since abortion is such a polarising topic, the lack of open dialogue has created an environment where fear and misinformation take hold. Blanket Ban intends to serve as a catalyst for honest conversations.

“After each performance in Edinburgh and London, we were overwhelmed by people who stayed behind to share their personal experiences. It reminded us how many stories remain unheard.”

“Bringing the play to Malta feels deeply personal — it’s about giving a voice to those who have been silenced and creating a space where people can listen, reflect, and, hopefully, empathise. We don’t expect to change everyone’s mind, but if we can encourage even a few people to approach this issue with compassion and curiosity, that’s already a step forward.”

The show will be performed on the 7th, 8th, 9th, 14th, 15th and 16th March at 8pm and 7pm on Sundays. To buy a ticket, click here.

Will you be watching this play?