Bize Lizu to make 'inevitable' return to Malta

French Kiss by Bize Lizu, one of St Petersburg's foremost dance companies, will be staged in Malta between June 12 and 18, following hot on the heels of their recent success on the island.

Fans of modern ballet and cabaret will be treated again to a mélange of both these dance forms.

"Perhaps the return of Bize Lizu to our shores was inevitable. Their affectation can be contagious. The dancers have attitude, yet pride themselves in delivering a perfect performance. They have a lot of rouge and their wardrobe is so extensive that it would cause even Liza Minnelli to blush," the promoters said.

"The new programme is another crowd-pleasing potpourri of cabaret and modern ballet, intended also to draw in audiences that are new to either dance forms," they said.

Last February, Bize Lizu, the lively, 11-year-old dance company, was introduced to Malta with a sampling of their work to a sold-out performance at the Manoel Theatre, followed by three sold-out performances at the Grand Hotel Excelsior.

Titled A Night In Paris, the programme was a collaboration between the Bize Lizu dancers and their art director, Ivan Koklyushkin, a renowned costume designer, whose works are requested for clients worldwide, including for the carnival of Venice. In fact, the stages during the last show were adorned by 10 dancers, wearing authentic Venetian costumes, encrusted with Swarovsky crystals.

The number, Ramalama, choreographed by Felix Busuttil while on a short stint to St Petersburg, saw the supple dancers draped in glove-like body-hugging, black costumes and moving with ease and talent while their take on the French can-can brought the house down each time.

The upcoming shows will be held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta on June 14 and 15, with tickets starting from €15, but audiences also have a choice of three nights under the stars and by the water's edge at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, with prices starting from €50, inclusive of the three-hour show and a buffet dinner.

Two stages are being purposely built: Apart from the main one, another smaller raised one is being set up in the middle of the audience for duet numbers, bringing the performers literally to their table. The evening is planned to end with a fireworks display over the Marsamxetto Harbour.

More details are available on 7979 1223 or via e-mail at horizon-projects@onvol.net.