Magic Flute a 'playful' opera for children

The Magic Flute, an opera for children being put up at the Manoel Theatre this weekend, promises to be an entertaining fantasy story peppered with comical elements.

Adapted especially for children by Sarah Spiteri, Mozart's Magic Flute is based on an Egyptian fairytale on love, good and evil, magic and power.

Toni Attard, stage director of the opera, said the playful element would be the main focus in the performance, which, he hopes, will keep the young audience's eyes glued to the stage. Starting from the instantaneous falling in love of a prince, Tamino and princess Pamina who has been abducted from her mother - the Queen of the Night - for her own good. The story unravels to a search of the princess by the young prince who is helped in his quest by a magic flute.

"We have tried to create a performance which kids will enjoy. Children get bored easily but we're sure they will enjoy this one," Mr Attard said, explaining how an emphasis had been made on the characters and the story, which should be made even more interesting with the colourful costumes of the actors singing the arias.

The orchestra, directed by Ms Spiteri, is made up of a seven piece ensemble including a clarinet, bassoon, violins, viola, cello and, of course, the flute.

The Magic Flute, which lasts one hour and 15 minutes, will be played to a full house of school children today and tomorrow, and will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday.

The Saturday show starts at 6.30 p.m. while the Sunday show starts at 6 p.m.

Tickets, which may be bought from the Manoel Theatre booking office, cost Lm6 for adults and Lm4 for children, while a family ticket (two adults and two children) costs Lm15.

The Magic Flute is being put up with the help of the National Lotteries Good Causes Fund, Art Deco Multimedia and St James Cavalier.