Panto has become as synonymous with Christmas as mulled wine and mince pies. Coryse Borg takes a look at both English-speaking pantos to find out what magic they have to offer

This year’s panto at the Manoel Theatre takes an exciting twist as Masquerade returns with its own version of Snow White.

Living a fairy tale life with her father and stepmother in a beautiful castle, Princess Snow White has it all. However, she soon realises that her legendary beauty is more of a curse than a gift when it attracts a dark jealously that puts her life in danger.

The Curse of Snow White was written by Malcolm Galea and features a star-studded cast including Colin Fitz (Dame), Rachel Fabri (Snow White), Andre Agius (Prince), Steve Hili (Mirror), Katherine Brown (Queen), as well as Joe Depasquale, Steffi Thake, Louis Cassar and Joseph Zammit.

Direction is by Anthony Bezzina and choreography is by Lee McCallion.  The music will be directed by Kevin Abela while Ernest Camilleri is in charge of costume design and Michael & Guy are in charge of the wigs.

Snow White promises to be a large, loud and hugely entertaining afternoon or evening out for all the family together

Bezzina describes the show as a traditional panto… with a twist.

“A panto at the Manoel Theatre has a great feel to it. When sitting in the audience, surrounded by people in the boxes, it feels exciting and intimate.  Each panto has its wow factor – we have a cast of all-rounders and, although young, they nearly all have panto experience which makes the job somewhat easier,” he says.

Rehearsals have been taking place at Masquerade’s new premises – M Space in Marsa – which Bezzina says has been a great plus. However, he admits that it is not all plain sailing: “People are getting way too busy doing several productions at once, so juggling times and schedules is a big headache.  This pains me a lot. But in the end, I am the world’s number-one optimist so I push on regardless,” he adds.

Rachel Fabri, who is playing Snow White herself , is sure the story appeals to any age: “It is a story of love and acceptance mixed with some comic twists and typical Maltese jokes along with some fantastic tunes that are sure to make the audiences sing along and tap their toes!”

Panto veteran Katherine Brown is fulfilling one of her lifelong dreams – that of playing the baddie!

“I get to stomp around, yelling at everyone and they have to just smile and be pleasant about it. I have minions available to do my bidding and everyone idolises me… as well they should. With the help of my magic mirror, I will not rest until everyone in the land bows down to me!” she laughs.

“Children and adults will laugh, cheer, boo, shout and enjoy every part of this production. There really is something for everyone. If any member of the audience does not agree that it was a super evening out with the family, they can come and complain after the show and I will turn them into rats. Just joking!”

Of course, no evil Queen is complete without her magic mirror, played by Steve Hili in this production.

“Rehearsals are fun but there are challenges. I think the biggest one so far has been trying to stand up after the vigorous dance warm-ups without throwing up. I have failed that challenge a few times,” he says.

This is going to be Colin Fitz’s first time playing the Dame and he admits being a little nervous as the responsibility of humour often rests on this character’s shoulders. But he says he is confident that mixing together the brash, butch, insecure-but-loveable nanny character that he plays with his raucous performances on radio or as host at sports stadiums, will get him through the run in one piece and – hopefully – a groupie or 10.

“The worst part is having to wear high heels. The make-up, wigs and hugely outrageous costumes I can live with, but the heels are going to kill me,” he grimaces.

“Snow White promises to be a large, loud and hugely entertaining afternoon or evening out for all the family together, full of wonder and fun for the kids and cutting wit for the adults. And because it’s being staged in the beautiful Manoel Theatre. And because it features dangerous fruit. And I’m not just talking about apples...”

• Masquerade’s The Curse of Snow White opens on December 26 and runs until January 6 at the Manoel Theatre. Booking is open at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt.

We’re off to see the Wizard

As soon as she arrives, she makes a dangerous enemy – the Wicked Witch of the West. Happily, there are plenty of friends to protect her as she begins her journey along the yellow brick road, all the way to see The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, meeting some colourful characters on the way, including the outrageous Dame Żufjetta (from Valletta).

Audiences should expect the unexpected

WOZ, as it is affectionately known among the MADC cast and crew, has a lot of ‘twos’ in its equation. It has two directors: Denise Mulholland and Marco Calleja, as well as two Dorothys: Bettina Paris and Phillipa Cassar, and two Glindas: Gianella Mazzola and Chantelle Micallef-Grimaud.

The rest of the cast includes Alexander Gatesy-Lewis (Tin Man), Andy Catania (Scarecrow), Chiara Hyzler (Chimp), Maria Buckle (Zee), Ralph Mangion (Lion), Paula Fleri-Soler (Aunty Em), Chris Hudson (Oz). Izzy Warrington is The Wicked Witch of the West and the Dame-of-Dames is Alan Montanaro.

The musical director is Paul Abela, while vocal coaching is in the hands of Cathy Lawlor. Choreography is by Emma Loftus and the spectacular costumes are designed by Ernest Camilleri.

According to Mulholland, re-hearsals are crazy, busy, exciting and fun: “It is a huge showbut we have the advantage of having two directors, so we have been able to work twice as fast. We also have a fantastic cast – creative and fun to work with, so there are plenty of laughs too. The show is going to be spectacular – lots and lots of magic to marvel at, amazing costumes, brilliant singing and dancing and we have the set designs of the fantastic, Oscar-nominated Peter Howitt and constructed by Lino Mallia.”

Co-director Calleja says: “Just imagine hours upon hours of being creative and bringing a great script to life with a very talented bunch of performers, creatives and my amazing partner in crime, Denise. It’s what I describe an artist’s heaven where the possibilities are endless and the fun is limitless. Audiences should expect the unexpected. There’s a new theatre layout, over a 100 new costumes and lots and lots of magic, colour and energy.”

Reinventing the dame’s character while still giving people the persona they’ve grown to know and love is probably Alan Montanaro’s greatest challenge.

Another problem is playing a character that doesn’t exist at all in the original story… however, this has hopefully been credibly solved by making his dame the only character who’s fully aware she’s in the MADC panto.

“This is the first time that the Wizard of Oz has been turned into a panto – certainly on a Maltese stage. I believe the MADC has raised the bar again this year and we have thrown so much laughter, adventure, special effects… and magic into the mix that there really is something for everyone and it should be the show not to miss this season,” Montanaro says.

A veteran of over 20 pantos, Ralph Mangion, who plays the cowardly Lion, is looking forward to what he says will be his last pantomime. However, he is certainly not looking forward to the heavy and very hot costume that he will be wearing for three hours:

“The tail on its own weighs a ton! Having to take Alan’s abuse during rehearsal and on stage is another story – but that’s something that’s been happening for over 20 years now,” he laughs.

The part of Dorothy will be shared by two young up-and-coming actresses.

Phillipa Cassar says the best part has definitely been having the opportunity to work with such talented people:“I feel I’ve learnt so much already! WOZ has all the ingredients of a spectacular pantomime – a classic story, stunning costumes, song and dance, flying scenes... and a side-splitting Dame.”

For Bettina Paris, the main challenge about playing Dorothy is that she is such an iconic character that has withstood the test of time.

“At the same time, I would like to create a Dorothy that is very much my own, so I am trying to combine the two aspects together. The MADC have really upped their game this year. I believe part of the beauty of Christmas is its magic… and magic is definitely found in great amounts at the MADC panto, for people of all ages.”

• Wizard of Oz, written by Alan Montanaro and produced by the MADC, opens on December 22 and runs until January 6 at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre, Ta’ Qali. Booking is open at www.panto.com.mt.

• Apart from the pantomimes at the Manoel Theatre and the MFCC, there are also a number of pantos in Maltese. Kumpanija Teatru Rjal is presenting Merry Poppins fil-Milied at the Catholic Institute in Floriana. The panto is directed by Augusto Cardinali, with musical direction by Neville Gatt and starring Toni Busuttil. For more information, visit www.kumpanijateatrurjal.com.

• Another panto is being presented by Bronk Productions – Shrek mill-Gżira tat-Tliet Għoljiet – at Sir Temi Zammit Hall at the University of Malta. More information is available at www.bronk.org.