Masquerade to stage Manoel Theatre panto

Masquerade Theatre Company has agreed to produce this year’s panto at the Manoel Theatre, despite its disagreement over the theatre’s hefty rental fee increase.

MADC, which had won the right to stage the panto after having been drawn first in a ballot, pulled out because of the costs.

Masquerade’s director, Tony Bezzina, said it was “Hobson’s choice”, and even though he considered “excessive” the €11,650 (Lm5,000) increase to €58,250 (Lm25,000) to stage the Christmas pantomime, he felt it was important to “take on the challenge”, saying his company needed the platform to raise its profile.

Manoel Theatre chairman Peter Fenech told a press conference earlier in the day that lots were drawn in accordance with an agreement, dating back to 2007, which would see the alternation of companies producing the panto at the Manoel.

Dr Fenech justified the increase in theatre fees, saying it had been on the cards for years.

Mentioning the ongoing investment, including backstage facilities, which he hoped would be inaugurated in the course of the year, Dr Fenech insisted that the Manoel Theatre was not interested in making money, but, at least, in reaching a break-even point.