Only a few days and a few tickets are left for Balzunetta Towers, an event of the Malta International Arts Festival.
Commissioned by the Valletta 2018 Foundation, the show tackles one of the most flagrant secrets of Malta – Balzunetta, also known as Strait Street’s naughty sister in Floriana.
Ironically, Balzunetta was located in the environs of the seminary, the police headquarters and the Armed Forces headquarters.
Pjazza Teatru Rjal will undergo a nostalgic transformation into a spectacular cabaret stage, which will feature a live orchestra with top musicians directed by composer Dominic Galea.
The story, satire and comedy were written by Maltese writer and former prime minister Alfred Sant while the songs were written by poet Albert Marshall.
The producer and director is Sean Buhagiar, who will ensure the story of Balzunetta will remain ingrained in the memory of the audiences. With this aim in mind, he has gathered some of the best talents from all cultural spheres. Over 100 people are involved in the show, among whom is established cartoonist Seb Tanti Burlò who collaborated on the set design together with Norman Hill ‘iċ-Ciccio’, known for his work on carnival floats, and lights designer Andrew Zammit. These three are working on what is believed to be the largest stage built at Pjazza Teatru Rjal.
The choreographer is university professor Jo Butterworth while Conrad Attard, who is renowned for his work at Għaxaq’s carnival, designed the masks.
Architect Adrian Mamo, who has been involved in theatre for the past 30 years, designed more than 200 costumes.
The cast includes popular actors Davide Tucci, comedian Chris Dingli, singer Doreen Galea, Josef Camileri from band Xarulù, Justin Galea from KażinSka, singer Ozzy Lino and actress Mariele Zammit.
Other experienced actors who form part of this show include Michael Mangion, Antonella Axisa, Marilù Vella, Peter Busuttil, Manwel Cassar and Manuel Cutajar among others.
Established dancers such as Dorian Mallia and Felix Busuttil will also form part of the spectacle.
Balzunetta Towers opens at Pjazza Teatru Rjal on Tuesday, July 11, and will run daily until July 16 at 9pm. Tickets may be obtained from St James Cavalier, by calling 2122 3216 or online at www.balzunettatowers.com. Also on sale are gold tickets which allow the audience to sit at a table and enjoy food and wine while watching the show. They will also receive an original album.