Daydreaming while sipping away at a very-first-thing-in-the-morning cappuccino at Prego, the little Italianate café bar in Valletta, (seemingly stuck in an oh-so-gorgeous time warp) none other than Felix Busuttil walks in... wanting an egg and tomato triple-decker sandwich.
Gees... I hadn’t seen him in ages! Yet, when I think of Felix, Peter Pan – the boy who doesn’t want to grow up – automatically comes to mind... this is because ever since I was a (very) little girl, Felix has always looked the same, really! Time doesn’t seem to alter or leave any of its markings on him.
Ok, maybe along the years he has changed his hairstyle and hair colour a couple of times, he has also become more buff, and his charm seems to be more pronounced than ever (at least that’s one thing you never have enough of!), but he is still the same Felix whom, I must confess, I was smitten with as a five-year-old.
Having been brought up by a mother whose life revolved around the performing arts, Felix was always one of the colourful characters whom I used to look up to: The quintessential dancer who captivated audiences every time he was on stage.
After exchanging some not-so-formalities, we quickly updated one another about the goings-on in our lives. Felix then produced a folder from his briefcase (a very professional, business-like one too) and the first thing I see, written in bold is “Yada’s 25th anniversary”. I look at him incredulously and he confirms the unuttered question obviously manifest on my face... a quarter of a century has already elapsed since the Yada Dance Company and Yada Dance School were founded.
My head leaps into scan-mode, and images of Dance Spectacular, Firedeance, Tango, Era, Madonna (I watched this show four times... what can I say?... I’m a fan!), Phantom and Christus flash before my eyes. Complex choreographies, extravagant costumes, enchanting music and “fancy” legwork inhabit these images. And although I have (not purposely) missed out on a few shows along the way, I can’t wait to be seated at the MCC restless with anticipation to witness the visual artistic treat that I am positive Felix has in store for the Filigree of Dance anniversary show. For the event, quasi in-house designer Peter Howitt has joined forces with Engelbert Grech to give this event a cinematographic experience. So, “If daddy does not like pirouettes, he will certainly not get bored!” reassures Felix. More than 700 costumes, designed by internationally-acclaimed Charles and Ron, Ernest Camilleri, Elvia Leone Ganado and Delina Abdilla, will enhance the dance numbers.
Half this impressive number will give you a round figure representing all the participating dancers in this musical bonanza, together with nine singers, four drag artistes and gymnasts, all coupled with lots of tights, sequins, shoes and wigs... definitely enticing!
“We will be representing sell-out shows such as Moulin Rouge, Dirty Dancing, Madonna, Tango and Firedance. Enhance the lot and add more flavour with numbers taken from Pirates of the Caribbean and Mamma Mia!”
For the latter number, Felix sent out a word-of-mouth call for any single girls, mummies and grannies who’ve always wanted to dance alongside Yada. He was counting on getting some 20 positive replies; however, he got a whopping 75! “And they all look fantastic... they will certainly bring the house down,” said Felix, whose enthusiasm is so contagious that I can already hear random Abba tunes buzzing in my ear.
Yada is also blessed with a strong chorus-line of gorgeous men. “Not to mention the hordes of femmes-fatales” interjects Felix, who acquiesces my inquisitive nature by reassuring me that “there are lots of surprises... I wanted to make the audience feel they are part of this fantastic journey... they will be showered with warmth, colour, summer and photographic memories.”
Filigree of Dance “celebrates 25 years of success, 25 years of glam and 25 years of spectacle. As always it must live to its expectations. And it is my last performance in costume – that is, like a footballer, it is time for me to move from pitch to coach stand... so I must end my ‘costume period’ with a huge bang. This show is bigger, better and unbelievably spectacular.”
Although I am somewhat concerned at his last comment, Felix, as though detecting my concern, says “I promise that as long as Yada is around, I will keep offering the public my choreographic services. I wish to be a mentor to my students and I remain thankful to all those who saw the beginning of this wonderful experience. I would like to teach aspiring kids that nothing is impossible, that culture is important and that the Maltese are truly talented. God Bless Maltese talent!”
For those of you who are just dying to get a taste of the show before the gala performance kicks off on March 6, just google Filigree of Dance – I was quite impressed to find a preview trailer of the show on YouTube, which is just the kind of visual fête to get one’s senses tingling in anticipation.

A Filigree of Dance will be showing at The Mediterranean Conference Centre on Friday (Gala performance), Saturday and Sunday, and March 13-15. Tickets available from the MCC booking office, or by calling: 2559 5750/1, e-mailing: booings@mcc.co.mt, or online www.mcc.com.mt

Source: Weekender, February 28, 2009