Pantomime gets serious

A theatre company yesterday filed a judicial protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court claiming that the Manoel Theatre had acted abusively and illegally in its regard.

Masquerade Theatre Co. Ltd filed its protest against Peter Fenech on behalf of the Manoel Theatre.

The company claimed it had entered into an agreement with the theatre's committee in February 2007 to produce the pantomime during the December 2007 - January 2008 and December 2008 - January 2009 festive seasons.

As a result of problems with the theatre and other people who wished to produce the pantomime for the year 2007/2008, it was agreed that Masquerade Theatre Co. Ltd would renounce to its right to produce the pantomime for 2007/2008 provided that it would do so in 2008/2009.

However, when he was appointed chairman of the Manoel Theatre, Dr Fenech failed to honour the agreement entered into with his predecessor. Dr Fenech ruled that Masquerade would have to compete with whoever else expressed an interest in producing a pantomime. As a result, Dr Fenech organised the drawing of lots and, on May 22, the pantomime was awarded to MADC.

Masquerade Theatre Co. Ltd claimed that such action by the Manoel Theatre was abusive and illegal and it called upon the theatre to make good the damages sustained. Lawyer Kenneth Grima acted for the company.