The Manoel Theatre is concentrating on attracting new audiences and bringing the theatre closer to the public while assuring that artistic quality is not compromised, according to its management committee which yesterday launched the official programme for the new season.

"Nobody must feel excluded, which is why there is a mixed bag of performances, encompassing drama, all kinds of music, dance and other fringe events," Manoel Theatre artistic director Tony Cassar Darien said of the 2004-2005 theatre season.

The programme is rich in content and versatility and established popular annual events, such as Teatru Unplugged, which is being held in mid-December, and the Pantomime at Christmas share the stage with novel shows like the multi-media Solitudni fil-Belt concert.

The seasonal programme also had to address those living outside Malta, taking into account its role as a new member of the EU but also as founder member of Perspectiv, the Association of Historic Theatres in Europe, Mr Cassar Darien said.

Another way of realising the theatre's goals was through festivals, which attract both an international following and the media.

Besides the "evergreen" BoV Opera Festival, which, this season, includes Romeo et Juliette, with internationally acclaimed tenor Joseph Calleja, an intense Festa Barokka - Baroque Connections, is being planned "to show how all the various European Baroque styles seem to blend in Malta".

Another highlight of the season, Spotlight on..., is aimed at "shining the spotlight" on an international theatrical personality through his art. The first candidate is William Shakespeare, with two of his plays and a 15-day calendar of events aimed at conveying to the public how and why his works are so accessible.

Among the Manoel's dramatic presentations are the world-renowned productions, A Christmas Carol, in the first week of December and presented by the American Drama Group in Europe and TNT Theatre Britain, which are also putting up Romeo and Juliet at the end of January.

In terms of music, audiences can enjoy one of the leading music lights of the Arab world, pianist Ramzi Yassa, among several others.

Off-the-main-auditorium productions remain an integral part of the Manoel's role to keep in constant contact with the up-and-coming artistic generation. These include Poezijaplus every last Monday of the month, lunchtime concerts every Wednesday, the semi-staged readings of Loggapalk, Windows on Music's accent on the local and foreign music scene and Theatre Traffic.

The 2004-2005 season has also, once again, secured a sound presence of local productions in line with the theatre's commitment to promote the best of Maltese talent.

"I firmly believe that, as far as the staging of events is concerned, we have now reached saturation point," Mr Cassar Darien said, adding that the goal was "not to keep doing more and more but to do it better and better".

Tourism and Culture Minister Francis Zammit Dimech described the season's programme as "vast and intense".

Referring to the "physical and operational transition" that the Manoel Theatre complex was currently undergoing, management committee chairman Wilfred Kenely said the past few weeks had seen the start of a number of important projects, including backstage, which is in its first phase and was moving at a steady phase.

The project includes the creation of new dressing rooms, multi-purpose rehearsal and performance spaces and other modern amenities that would offer enhanced flexibility to the staging of theatrical events and a smoother running of the theatre's daily operations, he said.

The project could take over two seasons to be completed but the "show must go on" and temporary measures have been set up to ensure that.

A sorely needed lift was being installed in the coming days to be used by patrons attending performances at the Sala Isouard. Placed in the theatre's courtyard, it was easily accessible, even to persons with disability. New and upgraded fire and safety equipment was also being installed in the theatre's premises to protect patrons and the historical building from any hazards.

Among administrative changes, a general manager, Lino Mintoff, has been appointed, Mr Kenely announced.

Bookings for the Manoel Theatre performances may be effected through the booking office or online.

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