Il-Qarċilla is a ‘street theatre’ performed during Carnival time. It is a play about a marriage contract in which everyone declares whatever comes to mind: what gifts the bride and groom will receive from their parents, witnesses, friends, and certain prominent persons and entities, all in the form of rhymed verses. The notary must document everything to make the piece legally binding. Of course, all this delivers a satire about the political and social situation of the country.

Probably the first Qarċilla was written by Dun Feliċ Demarco for the Carnival of 1760. Apart from the political and social satire, il-Qarċilla contains references to sex and vulgar words.

In 2014, il-Qarċilla started to come alive again on the streets of Valletta, and in 2022 it was held for the first time in Spazju Kreattiv.

Creative team:

Producer & Director – Joseph Galea

Script – Michael Spagnol