This month we look first at the theatrical productions scheduled for the Manoel Theatre in 2009. Starting with the panto Jack and the Beanstalk, produced by Masquerade. This takes up the first half of January, ending on January 11. It is closely followed one week later by the second Maleth production of the season. The prolific and brilliant English playwright Alan Ayckbourn's comedy Communicating Doors. Described as a "time warp comedy", it will be performed on January 16, 17 and 18.
February is a particularly busy month for drama on the national theatre stage. From February 6 to 8, Adrian Buckle's company Unifaun will mount their most ambitious production yet with Ben Johnson's Elizabethan comedy The Alchemist at the Manoel. It will be directed by Polly March and have a stellar cast, including Edward Merceica, Nanette Brimmer, Alan Paris and Manuel Cauchi in leading roles. This is definitely one of the theatrical events of the season. Following it into the theatre from February 13 to 15 will be the return of Beyond the Barricade. Produced by Masquerade, this talented foursome have all played principal roles in London's West End hit show Les Miserables. Their mélange of show tunes and comedy invariably guarantees full houses at the Manoel.
The tragic British playwright Sarah Kane is certainly getting her fair share of exposure this season. In addition to Blasted at St James, the Teatru Manoel Board and the American centre in collaboration with the Malta Drama Centre, are producing Ms Kane's blistering drama 4.48 Psychosis at the end of February.
Another Manoel Theatre production follows in early March, when Vince Vella's wartime drama Valerian Rock is featured. This Maltese language version of Mr Vella's script is one of the few vernacular productions this season. However, this fine piece of writing is deservedly being aired at our national theatre.
The BOV Opera Festival follows with Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera Riders to the Sea, followed by another Manoel Theatre Opera production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
At the end of March, beginning of April F & M productions move into the Manoel with the TV spin-off comedy 'Allo 'Allo. Aficionados of this popular 1980s series will be reunited with all the characters from David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd's long-running sitcom. Towards the end of April there will be more children's theatre fare when Curtain Raiser take to the Manoel's stage with their version of Eric Coble's piece Cinderella Confidential. This is a 50-minute one-act play, which should appeal to all ages.
The last theatre production in the current season will be Masquerade's treatment of Frank Wildhorn's epic musical Jekyll and Hyde.
This promises to be a stunning piece of musical theatre containing several spectacular set-pieces and some gorgeous songs.
Turning to the productions being staged at the other end of Valletta at the St James Centre for Creativity; it is less easy to be specific. The centre has a more fluid method of programming their season, allowing for a number of late bookings. The structure of the theatre-in-the-round helps in this approach.
What we do know is that it will be hosting its usual eclectic mix of quality theatre. So far Unifaun has booked two spring slots at the centre.
Firstly some time in late February or early March, Unifaun will be presenting Anthony Nelson's drama Stitching. Described as: "a love story set at the extremes of brutality, banality and tenderness"... it looks like typical fare for this challenging and never dull company. We should stress that as yet, no dates have been set at St James for this one. Mr Buckle will also be staging at St James US dramatist Donald Freed's allegoric piece The Devil's Advocate.
Set in Panama in 1989 it draws a parallel between America's attitude towards the crimes of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and those of Saddam Hussein. Mario Micallef's Talenti company will be staging his own Maltese language play at St James, entitled Incest. This is set to play in the theatre-in-the-round in mid-March.
We also understand that the MADC have applied to produce at St James in early 2009, but as yet... no title has been forthcoming.
But even without this, the latter part of our theatre season looks extremely interesting... enjoy.
February is a particularly busy month for drama on the national theatre stage. From February 6 to 8, Adrian Buckle's company Unifaun will mount their most ambitious production yet with Ben Johnson's Elizabethan comedy The Alchemist at the Manoel. It will be directed by Polly March and have a stellar cast, including Edward Merceica, Nanette Brimmer, Alan Paris and Manuel Cauchi in leading roles. This is definitely one of the theatrical events of the season. Following it into the theatre from February 13 to 15 will be the return of Beyond the Barricade. Produced by Masquerade, this talented foursome have all played principal roles in London's West End hit show Les Miserables. Their mélange of show tunes and comedy invariably guarantees full houses at the Manoel.
The tragic British playwright Sarah Kane is certainly getting her fair share of exposure this season. In addition to Blasted at St James, the Teatru Manoel Board and the American centre in collaboration with the Malta Drama Centre, are producing Ms Kane's blistering drama 4.48 Psychosis at the end of February.
Another Manoel Theatre production follows in early March, when Vince Vella's wartime drama Valerian Rock is featured. This Maltese language version of Mr Vella's script is one of the few vernacular productions this season. However, this fine piece of writing is deservedly being aired at our national theatre.
The BOV Opera Festival follows with Ralph Vaughan Williams' opera Riders to the Sea, followed by another Manoel Theatre Opera production of Mozart's The Magic Flute.
At the end of March, beginning of April F & M productions move into the Manoel with the TV spin-off comedy 'Allo 'Allo. Aficionados of this popular 1980s series will be reunited with all the characters from David Croft and Jeremy Lloyd's long-running sitcom. Towards the end of April there will be more children's theatre fare when Curtain Raiser take to the Manoel's stage with their version of Eric Coble's piece Cinderella Confidential. This is a 50-minute one-act play, which should appeal to all ages.
The last theatre production in the current season will be Masquerade's treatment of Frank Wildhorn's epic musical Jekyll and Hyde.
This promises to be a stunning piece of musical theatre containing several spectacular set-pieces and some gorgeous songs.
Turning to the productions being staged at the other end of Valletta at the St James Centre for Creativity; it is less easy to be specific. The centre has a more fluid method of programming their season, allowing for a number of late bookings. The structure of the theatre-in-the-round helps in this approach.
What we do know is that it will be hosting its usual eclectic mix of quality theatre. So far Unifaun has booked two spring slots at the centre.
Firstly some time in late February or early March, Unifaun will be presenting Anthony Nelson's drama Stitching. Described as: "a love story set at the extremes of brutality, banality and tenderness"... it looks like typical fare for this challenging and never dull company. We should stress that as yet, no dates have been set at St James for this one. Mr Buckle will also be staging at St James US dramatist Donald Freed's allegoric piece The Devil's Advocate.
Set in Panama in 1989 it draws a parallel between America's attitude towards the crimes of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega and those of Saddam Hussein. Mario Micallef's Talenti company will be staging his own Maltese language play at St James, entitled Incest. This is set to play in the theatre-in-the-round in mid-March.
We also understand that the MADC have applied to produce at St James in early 2009, but as yet... no title has been forthcoming.
But even without this, the latter part of our theatre season looks extremely interesting... enjoy.