The Manoel Theatre’s season starts on Tuesday with a show by the Gypsy Devils, a departure from the traditional opening classical concerts.
In the words of the theatre’s CEO Ray Attard, “the cocktail of different genres of music which the Gypsy Devils perform in their distinctive style reflects the eclectic programme in place for the rest of this season”.
The Gypsy Devils is one of the the best world ensembles in the category of ethno and world music.
The group is made up of eight musicians, who skilfully combine classical, jazz, ethno, flamenco and gypsy music with extraordinary virtuosity. They have peformed in 35 countries across all continents.
The Gypsy Devils is made up of eight musicians who have performed in 35 countries across all continents
The previous evening, the group is also performing at a free 40-minute event strictly for teenagers as part of the Manoel Theatre’s Toi Toi Education Programme.
The season, spread over nine months, will feature more than 100 events. These include orchestral concerts, recitals, dance shows, the annual pantomime, musicals and plays in English and Maltese, including two new plays presented as part of the Staġun tat-Teatru Malti. The Toi Toi Education Programme also enters its third season with additional concerts for children, pre-concert talks and limited-edition events which are one-off opportunities to meet visiting artists.
Returning this season is the Mid-Dinja tat-Teatru series produced jointly by the Manoel Theatre and the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, in which audiences gain a historical perspective of Maltese theatre through interviews with protagonists of the Maltese stage.
Highlights include an original production of Mozart’s opera La Clemenza di Tito, with a predominantly all-Maltese cast led by Cliff Zammit Stevens in the title role in March 2014 and the second edition of the Valletta International Baroque Festival which comprises 25 different events over 17 days in January 2014 in various venues across Valletta.
Prices remain unchanged from last year and, for nearly all the shows, a 50 per cent discount is offered to senior citizens, full-time students and under-25s on selected seats. The theatre also accepts the Culture Card.
For more information, visit the theatre’s website at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.