Six Maltese dancers have been handpicked by Italian company Compagnia Nazionale Raffaele Paganini and will be trained for a two-night performance of the Hollywood blockbuster, An American in Paris.
Audrey Ellul Sullivan, Petra Gosztom, Dorian Mallia, Lynn Salamone Reynaud, Christina Aquilina and Louisa Attard were chosen after attending auditions at the Manoel Theatre last week.
Chosen by an international panel of judges, including the show’s choreographer, Luigi Martelletta, the dancers were picked for their outstanding performance and talent. Originally, four Maltese dancers were meant to be chosen but, on seeing the high level of talent, Mr Martelletta decided to raise the number to six.
They will be performing in the show on May 4 and 5 at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, in Valletta under the direction of top Italian choreographer and artist Raffaele Paganini.
More than 50 dancers turned up for the auditions that were promoted by Dance Council Malta throughout the dance schools around Malta and Gozo.
The chosen six will soon be off to Rome to train with the choreography school.
Dance director Felix Busuttil, also on the MCC’s board of directors, is entrusted with the event’s organisation. He promises that the “audience will encounter the unique atmosphere of Paris in the 1940s and the wonderful characters that keep embracing this romantic city of lights and love era after era”.
Booking opens online and at the booking offices of the Manoel Theatre and the MCC on Wednesday. For more information visit www.mcc.com.mt.