Ospizio - The invisible city outside Valletta

Following their acclaimed productions of Agamemnon and 100, THEATRE anon's next project will take place on the old Ospizio site in Floriana on July 5, 8, 9, 12, 13 and 14 - a Malta Arts Festival commission.

There is an invisible city outside Valletta's bastion walls. This summer it will reveal itself. THEATRE anon, in their most ambitious project to date, have created a fascinating tale; one that is spectacular, magical and hilarious, but also touching because the story does not only reveal the history of the Ospizio... but it may also perhaps tell you something about yourself.

The Ospizio has come alive with the participation of eighty performers including artists, dancers, musicians, singers and actors. Throw in a couple of explosions and people flying and walking down walls, three-metre high puppets and shadow puppets, a vibrant carnival, and an underground pool. This is Ospizio.

Follow Magda on her journey. Meet Paolo Passionei, who was Malta's longest-serving Inquisitor, his secret mistress and their two daughters; the mad Mayor; the Monsignor; the heartthrob lawyer; Madam Sylvie, gatekeeper to the land of the forgotten; Di and Do, the perfect incompetents; Milly the cranky old woman; Rozita, who summons ghosts whenever she sings; and Pandora who leads the Chorus of the Forgotten.

Passionei's life is just one of the many fascinating events we come across during Ospizio. THEATRE anon's multilingual story is a fictional one, inspired by the site's colourful history and the intriguing characters that inhabited it. This highly entertaining production promises big laughs and plenty of magic. The audience is invited to embark on this journey with our large cast of actors, dancers, singers and the participation of The Big Band Brothers.

The cast includes Isabella Attard, Toni Attard, Daniel Azzopardi, Narcy Calamatta, Stefan Farrugia, Paula Fleri-Soler, Charlotte Grech, Sandra Mifsud, Liliana Portelli, Hannah Schembri and Louiselle Vassallo. Paul Portelli is the artistic director. Ospizio is designed by Pierre Portelli, and THEATRE anon has also collaborated with writer Clare Azzopardi on the project.

All performances start at 9 p.m.

www.maltaartsfestival.com and www.theatreanon.com

(It is advisable for audience members to wear practical shoes for this performance)