A dream in Valletta

Not only is the MADC breaking with tradition by shifting its annual Shakespeare production to the Opera House remains site in Valletta but one of The Bard's most-loved plays is getting a complete makeover.

Staged in a site transformed into a semi-junkyard, A Midsummer Night's Dream will have an ecological twist, completed with original music specifically penned for the event.

"There is magic, action, pathos, love, dance, song and comedy... What more could you want from a show," actor Alan Montanaro wonders.

This year, the MADC is taking Shakespeare back to the Opera House, in Valletta, for the first time since World War II, and this, in itself, makes it a historic date on the theatrical calendar.

A Midsummer Night's Dream, which kicks off this summer's edition of the Malta Arts Festival organised by the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, will take place on July 25, 27, 28 and 29.

One of Shakespeare's best-loved plays is a magical romp through the forest where enemies fall in love, an actor becomes an ass, and the fairy kingdom battles over a boy. In the end, the fairy kingdom finds peace, the actors perform their hilarious play, and the lovers find happiness in a triple wedding ceremony.

Directed by Chris Gatt and assisted by Denise Mulholland, the play's spectacular set is being designed by installation artist Pierre Portelli.

The 20-piece strong band of singing and dancing fairies provides an important element to the play.

The production boasts original music by Alexander Vella Gregory, ranging from hip-hop to jazz to classical and folk, all with a thoroughly contemporary twist. The live music will be performed by the Zizza Ensemble that was a great hit during the MADC's The Merry Wives of Windsor last year. The cast of A Midsummer Night's Dream reads like a veritable who's who of local theatre and includes Manuel Cauchi as Theseus/Oberon, Edward Mercieca as Bottom, Pia Zammit as Titania, Isabella Attard as Puck, Jean Marc Agius Cafà as Lysander, Faye Paris as Hermia, Matthew Gatt as Demetrius, Nerissa Pace as Helena and Coryse Borg as Hippolyta, as well as Alan Montanaro, Paula Fleri-Soler, Wesley Ellul, David Ellul Mercer, Lino Mallia and Martin Azzopardi.

Ms Attard says she is enjoying the challenge of playing the part of Puck. "It's quite a physical and technical challenge playing my character. It's also quite a thrill to work in a new space and to discover its secrets... maybe the ghosts of the Opera House will guide us on our way," she laughs.

Newcomer Ms Pace is visibly excited to be taking part in the show: "I don't want to give anything away, but the audience is going to be captivated from beginning to end. There's a surprise every five minutes".

Veteran actor Mr Montanaro says: "Working with Chris is always a great experience because he lets you experiment and explore. Playing within a team of mechanicals or 'clowns' is a laugh because we're coming up with some tried and tested comic routines, but giving them our own flavour".

Promising young actor Mr Agius Cafà concurs, saying that the production has a lot to give. "The modern context and the physicality contribute to making Shakespeare much more accessible. It's a chance to show people his work is utter genius and it is also a very good way to introduce younger generations to his plays," he says.

In fact, the show is being made accessible to young people and students who may not be in a position to shell out too much money for a theatrical production. Apart from the usual seats, there will also be a "standing" section, with tickets selling at Lm2, which will allow people to actually be in the thick of the action on stage.

Tickets can be purchased from www.maltaticket.com, Agenda, Exotique, Newskiosk and Bookends. More information is obtainable from www.madc.biz.