This Christmas you're in for a treat, a treat in the dark that is! Close your eyes and open your ears because between the 19th and the 23rd of December the Gawgaw is coming to the Esplora Planetarium Hall. This will be Teatru Malta's final production for 2018, one being closed off with an audio sensory bang! The Malta Independent on Sunday goes through 10 reasons why everyone should watch Gawgaw this Christmas season.

1. Gawgaw is a Global First! A Live Panto using binaural audio technology in pitch darkness has never been done before, anywhere. Actors will not be seen live but heard through headphones provided to each member of the audience.

2. Gawgaw will be 13- year old visually impaired Samuel Farrugia's acting debut!

3. Gawgaw will also see Chucky Bartolo as Dame, making him also Malta's first drag queen to take on the role.

4. Gawgaw is Joseph Zammit's 11th pantomime. He originally planned on stopping at the tenth but once approached by Marta Vella and Vikesh Godhwani the show's writers and directors, he just couldn't pass up on this unique opportunity.

5. Gawgaw marks the return of Davinia Hamilton to the Maltese stage after 8 years of living and working in London.

6. Gawgaw is more than just show, it is a multi-sensory experience in complete darkness, whereby special effects will be made use of to enhance the audience's journey to completely immerse them into this one of a kind story.

7. Gawgaw is Teatru Malta's first fully accessible show with the theme of all-round inclusivity at it's core. For the first time, visually impaired audiences will be able to enjoy a show in the same way mainstream audiences can. The show is FREE for the guardians of visually impaired attendees. Moreover free transport is being offered to facilitate the visually impaired audience's journey to the theatre*.

8. Gawgaw is happening in Esplora's Planetarium Hall. This is the first time this cool space is being used as a theatre. The venue, is fully accessible.

9. Gawgaw is a Maltese folk creature, who prowls the streets on Christmas Eve in search for people who were born on Christmas Day.

10. Gawgaw is Marta Vella's and Vikesh Godhwani's first production together. Coincidentally they met for the very first time, as cast members of panto in 2011.

Written and directed by Marta Vella and Vikesh Godhwani Gawgaw a Panto in the Dark,  is certainly going to be a treat to all those who are tired of the conventional and are looking to experience something completely different to anything that's been done not just for Christmas but in Malta.

Together with the endorsement of Her Excellency the President of Malta Marie Louise Coleiro Preca the Maltese myth of the Gawgaw is brought to life through the sound design of Mario Sammut as well as the voices of its stellar cast including Chucky Bartolo as Dame, Samuel Farrugia as Principal Boy and Davinia Hamilton and Joseph Zammit who all be performing live...even though you will only be able to hear them and not see them, so it's up to the audience to make out who's who.

 

* Seating is very limited so think ahead and be aware that this production is 75 minutes long and will be staged in complete darkness. Gawgaw is supported by CRPD, Esplora, Il-Premju tal-President, Arts Council Malta and LESA. For bookings or queries on transport for the visually impaired please visit teatrumalta.org.mt or call 21220255 for more information about evening shows and matinees