Forty years after its first pantomime, the MADC will once again take to the stage at MFCC Ta' Qali with Jack and the Beanstalk.
Written and directed by panto stalwart Malcolm Galea, the classic fairy tale has been updated with a new and unusual twist that Maltese audiences - young and old - are sure to love. "I always like to find a fun angle with my panto scripts," Malcolm explains. "This time I opted for a medieval setting, where young Jack desperately wants to become a famous knight but is too poor to do so. One day, his village is attacked by giants who take away the girl he loves. So, Jack needs to pluck up the courage and climb the beanstalk to make the transition from zero to hero, from nobody to somebody, from loser to legend."
Featuring Jean-Pierre Busuttil as the hilarious Dame, as well as Matthew Ben Attard, Katherine Brown, Joe Depasquale, Christina Despott, Rachel Tedesco Triccas, Audrey Scerri and Sean Briffa, MADC again brings to the panto stage an impressive cast of well-known local performers mixed with some rising stars. "The show is very much an ensemble piece. I like working with people I know - especially if I'm writing dialogue for them. It's like working with family really," continues Malcolm. "Every year we welcome a couple of newcomers and it's always great when you see them go from strength to strength. Newcomers who work hard and have a good attitude often become regular collaborators."
The highly-experienced crew, meanwhile, remain as essential to each panto's success as the cast themselves. Joining Malcolm once again this year is Maestro Paul Abela and Roger Tirazona ensuring that the music remains top-notch, while choreographer Francesco Nicodeme focuses on perfecting the cast's dancing and movement throughout the show. The spectacular set, costumes and production values that Maltese audiences have come to expect from each MADC panto will also not disappoint this year, with Ray Farrugia designing the set and costumes designed by Isabel Warrington.
With Jack and the Beanstalk marking MADC's 40th anniversary pantomime since the Club's 1978 production of Cinderella, the chance to be a part of it is particularly special for Malcolm. "The Christmas pantomime is an annual tradition to many people and Christmas simply wouldn't be the same without it. Whenever I'm charged with the responsibility of working on it, whether as a writer, director or cast member, I make sure that the magic is renewed for another year. Jack and the Beanstalk will be my 10th pantomime script and it's a unique privilege to work on such a show."
'Jack and the Beanstalk' will be performed at MFCC Ta' Qali at 7.30pm on 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December and 3, 4, 5 January, with matinee performances at 3pm on 26, 29, 30 December. Booking is now open at www.madc.com.mt. Tickets start from only €10 and are available at a reduced rate for children aged 3-11. Children aged two and under enter for FREE with a toddler ticket but must have a reserved seat with parents/guardians.