The Christmas pantomime that Kumpanija Teatru Rjal is presenting this year is the evergreen Mary Poppins, which, for entertainment purposes becomes Merry Poppins... fil-Milied.
The panto is set in London, a long time ago, where the Banks family resides. It is a bank employee’s family, with servants and two children, a girl and a boy. The children are so naughty that their nanny decides to leave and Mr Banks has to find a replacement.
He prefers a nanny who will raise his children to become truly disciplined British citizens, but the siblings have other ideas. They want a nanny who plays with them. By hook or by crook, they get everything their own way and there comes Mary Poppins, a nanny who flies thanks to an umbrella, performs magic and wants everyone to sing all the way.
Mr Banks is not amused and wants his children to appreciate his hard work at the bank rather than sing all day. So he decides to fire Mary but, in turn, she persuades him to take his children to his workplace to learn more about his job.
He does, taking them to the bank that belongs to Willie Scrooge, son of the late Ebenezer Scrooge. Another two people reside at Scrooge’s place: Desperate Dan and Dennis the Menace, two well known robbers...
Toni Busuttil plays the Dame and leads a cast that includes Mario Snits Spiteri, Renzo Bonello, Rodney Gauci, Brian Farrugia, Ina Robinich, Neville Refalo, Laura Bruno, Alan Falzon, Mario Camilleri and Franky Borg, among others.
Directed by Augusto Cardinali, the show will again include dancing by the Yada Dance Company, choreographed by Felix Busuttil.
For the 12th consecutive year, Neville Gatt will direct a live orchestra.
Joe Julian Farrugia penned the script and Pawlu Testa is the producer.
Performances, at the Catholic Institute Auditorium, in Floriana, continue today at 7pm, tomorrow at 7.30pm and on Sunday at 2 and 6.30pm.
There will be more shows on January 4 at 7.30pm, January 5 at 7pm, January 6 at 2 and 6.30pm, January 12 at 7pm and January 13 at 2 and 6.30pm.
For more information, visit www.istitutkattoliku.com, www.kumpanijateatrurjal.com or call 2122 3340.