Mashallah I’m very happy and proud to announce
that The Opiate Books will release a play written by Anton Bonnici based on my magical realism story “When the Telephone Rang” first published by Nomadic Press in my collection Fiercer Monsters. The book sold successfully for many years and is now carried by Black Lawrence Press.
When The Opiate magazine ran the story in 2019, playwright Anton Bonnici was so struck that he had to see it developed for the stage to reach even wider audiences. Bonnici is a Maltese playwright and theater arts teacher living in Paris. The play he crafted adds more depth and physicality, where the story primarily takes place within the mind of the protagonist. His contributions to the tale are invaluable.
What is the story about? Imagine a man, unjustly incarcerated (not difficult these days) who has found refuge from his ordeal by imagining a safety space, a quiet apartment he built in his mind, a place where he can relax for hours, while his body is subject to the rigors of incarceration. One day, the telephone rings in his refuge. He wasn’t aware that there was a telephone. But, he built this meditational space, didn’t he? Where did this phone come from? Who could be calling? Is it God? His mind unravels as he considers the possibilities. A few days later, he picks up the phone.
“Hello?”
Scheduled for publication during Arab American Heritage month (April).
This book features the play and an upgraded version of the story.
We would be thrilled to see the play in production and can make the script available at a group rate. Write to Anton Bonnici or The Opiate for info.
The Opiate cares very much about writers and contemporary literature and they greatly deserve your support! We are finalizing the interior now. I’ll update this post once it is available.
