(mis)adventures. Persons of a certain age can still hum some of his limericks and funny songs. It is understood that there are a number of recordings with his comical sketches. Perhaps his greatest success was the comical soap opera “Karmena Abdilla” which had a run of some two years culminating in a sumptuous wedding on the Radio City Theatre stage. Played by Nosi Ghirlando, the play was repeated in nearly every hall in Malta, Gozo and abroad. Success abroad Considering the many thousands of Maltese who have settled in Australia, many musicians and actors are regularly invited to present shows down-under. Clews had been invited twice. The first time was in November 1964 when he amused his audience together with another comic, Johnny Navarro. In November 1984 he travelled with his buddy Johnny Catania when they had huge success all over Australia. Other activities For three years (1955 to 58) he was appointed as Chairman of the Stage and Film Censors Board. Even with arthritis, Clews kept himself busy until his death. Since 1959, for 47 years, he wrote a weekly humorous column in the Maltese newspaper It-Torċa and the Antenna Magazine. Some of his works include: Ali Babì, Hotel Żewwiġni and Don Rodrigo (all three being musical comedies); l-Imgermda (an adaptation of Cinderella), many sketches, one act comedies and plays As a token of appreciation, in December 1996 Clews was awarded the Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika (The Medal for Services to the Republic), and two years later he was awarded the Trophy for a lifetime entertainment to the nation. References The Times (of Malta) 1 April 2006; L-Orizzont, 13 March 2007 (Daily Independent Maltese newspaper); L-Orizzont 14 June 2007 (2 page spread); The Times Weekender 7 February 2009 (3 page spread); It-Torca 8 February 2009 (4 page spread) 1919 births 2009 deaths Maltese comedians People from Senglea 20th-century comedians Recipients of Midalja għall-Qadi tar-Repubblika