1881

The year may be 1881. But not the 1881 you know. Time here is fluid, perhaps irrelevant. In this alternate Malta, nestled in the dark corners of a crumbling Maltese townhouse, the world teeters on the brink of collapse. The end is nigh, the apocalypse looms—and yet, here you are. Is this the end of the world, or merely a shift in dimensions? What will you do? How will you face your fate as reality fractures? The air is thick with unspoken desires, forgotten dreams, and the haunting shadows of what could have been.

Inspired by international large-scale immersive theatre, live-action role play, and the high-stakes intensity of video games, 1881—commissioned by Teatru Malta and brought to life by the visionary minds of game designer and conceiver Prof. Gordon Calleja, game dramaturg and co-writer Rob Morgan, and co-writer and theatre director Sean Buhagiar—transports you to a universe where every decision could be your last. It’s more than a show; it’s an entryway to a forgotten dimension where time and space warp around your every move, pulling you into a world of ritualistic encounters and sensuous

experimentation.

As the world crumbles around you, you will be forced to confront the ultimate question: what would you do if you knew your time was running out? Will you indulge in unrestrained freedom, surrendering to your darkest cravings, savouring life’s fleeting pleasures as the clock ticks down? Will you risk unearthing the deepest, most forbidden desires? Or will you cling to hope, seeking to save humanity through the pursuit of science and reason? Perhaps you’ll find comfort in faith, believing the end is simply a transition to something greater.

This experience will be unlike anything Malta has ever seen, with 1881 set to run for over three months—making it Teatru Malta’s longest-running production to date. Premiering on the seductive eve of New Year’s, this rare, intimate show invites only 30 participants at a time, offering an exclusive journey into a world where a large cast crafts a personal, almost secretive encounter for each visitor. The scale of the production belies its intimacy, creating an experience where every moment is magnified by the closeness of the characters, and every decision you make could alter the course of the narrative. So, are you ready? The end is coming, but your final move could change everything. No pressure.

After all, the apocalypse is just another game. Or is it?