A unique soirée of poetry, singing and music is soon to light up the stage at the Salesian Theatre in Sliema. Laura Bonnici speaks with Folly, Fantasy and Feeling co-host Lucy Paterson to find out more about this one-night-only poetry extravaganza.

Famed for everything from Paceville to prickly pears and food to festi, we know well that our island has a character all of its own, stealing the hearts and minds of locals and visitors since time immemorial. And, for one night only on Wednesday, the folly, fantasy and feeling experienced on this unique ‘rock’ we call home will be celebrated on stage through the mediums of poetry, music and dance in an event at the Salesian Theatre.

Alex Manché on the piano with Martin Royalton-Kisch.­

Leading the evening’s entertainment will be co-hosts Nicholas de Piro, Alex Manché and Lucy Paterson – who are bringing their shared passion for Melitensia, poetry, art and music back to the venue after last year’s highly-acclaimed poetry grand soirée, Nostalgia, Notions and Nonsense.

“The original idea behind the show was to create a humorous and sensitive evening of Maltese poetry and music performance, featuring poets such as Philip Farrugia Randon, John Cremona and Nicholas de Piro,” explains Paterson, who is an academic at King’s College London and a Teaching Fellow at the Royal College of Defence Studies. “This year, however, we have expanded the concept of the poetry performance to include some lighter music and dancing, some opera, as well as other poets associated with Malta, such as Coleridge.”

In Folly, Fantasy and Feeling, a wide selection of Malta-related humorous and sentimental poems, performed in English and composed by poets from near and far, will be shared by an impressive line-up of local performers, against a backdrop of music, song and even a chorus line of dancers.

A wide selection of Malta-related humorous and sentimental poems… will be shared by an impressive line-up of local performers, against a backdrop of music, song and even a chorus line of dancers

“This year’s programme includes some fantastic poems by Joe Friggieri, Philip Farrugia Randon and Marie Trapani Galea, but we have also developed the musical theme to include two opera arias from Mozart’s the Marriage of Figaro and Rossini’s Barber of Seville, which will be performed by the sublime Martin Royalton-Kisch and Elisabeth Grimm Forrester,” shares Paterson.

“The highlight of the show, however, could well be the chorus line, coordinated by Narcy Calamatta. We are so looking forward to seeing his troupe perform!” Joining Paterson as co-hosts, art historian Marquis De Piro and gifted pianist Manché are also directing the show and selecting the music to accompany the poems.

Off the stage, De Piro has channelled his passion for art, poetry and Malta’s rich history into penning a number of anecdotal books and poems – some of which to feature as part of Folly, Fantasy and Feeling – and he has recently opened Casa Rocca Piccola in Valletta, the home he shares with his wife Frances (Ding), to the public.

Meanwhile, Manché also has other strings to his bow – or rather, his piano; his considerable talent that was inspired by his grandfather, Bertie. Indeed, Manché is also a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at Mater Dei Hospital, with more than a hundred scientific papers to his name, and he set up the cardiothoracic unit in Malta in 1995.

Considering the enthusiasm for Malta’s history shared by the three co-hosts, it is perhaps fitting that all funds raised through the evening’s entertainment will go towards conserving a key part of the island’s heritage: Valletta’s famous skyline.

Aiming to raise more than €8 million to fund vital restoration work on the tower, spire and structure of St Paul’s Anglican Pro-Cathedral in Valletta, the Save Valletta’s Skyline appeal hopes to ensure that the cathedral’s iconic silhouette will continue to be central to the capital’s skyline. “The Valletta skyline tells us an awful lot about our identity,” De Piro agrees. “The Skyline Appeal reminds that we must preserve it at all costs, as a vital part of Malta’s cultural heritage.”

From the skyline to the sea, it is this love for all things Malta that is shared by everyone in the talented cast of Folly, Fantasy and Feeling, which Paterson feels will create a truly magical atmosphere for everyone in the Salesian Theatre that night. “All our contributors either describe Malta, or the things most of us here on this Mediterranean island like best of all, such as love, humour, music and gastronomy. We can’t wait to celebrate and appreciate the poetry and music generated by the wonderful talent residing here in Malta!”

Folly, Fantasy and Feeling will be performed for one night only at the Salesian Theatre, Sliema, on Wednesday from 6.30 to 9pm. Patrons are entitled to free parking. Tickets are available from the Manoel Theatre website below.

http://booking.teatrumanoel.com.mt/event/12384/