Three actors drop out of controversial play featuring Daphne-inspired character

Three actors who were to take part in Teatru Manoel's play Ix-Xiħa production, which features a character inspired by murdered journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, have decided to drop out of the play, Times of Malta can confirm. 

But scriptwriter and director Mario Philip Azzopardi vowed to go ahead with staging the play, amid mounting protests.

The play sparked controversy after it emerged that not only would it feature a character inspired by Caruana Galizia but it would also include the journalist's final words - "the situation is desperate". The script was leaked by blogger Manuel Delia on Thursday, describing it as "spiteful, full of hate, prejudice, and disturbingly incurable visceral violence".

The script does not mention Caruana Galizia by name but there are several references to the blogger.

Several theatre practitioners have taken to social media saying they will boycott the play as well as the national theatre unless the production is shelved. 

Contacted for comment, Azzopardi said he was aware of the controversy surrounding his play and acknowledged "some actors" had decided not to take part although he did not identify the actors.

But he insisted that the show will...