Anyone driving past the MADC Clubrooms in Santa Venera can’t help but notice that the building is buzzing with activity as the final rehearsals for this year’s panto offering, Jack and the Beanstalk, are underway.
Jack and the Beanstalk is the MADC’s 40th anniversary Panto, and is written and directed by panto veteran Malcolm Galea, who shares a few titbits about what audiences can expect. “This year’s major topical themes include our national love for over - construction (the higher the better), our intolerance for trees in public spaces as well as a good amount of banter poking fun at current local events and all the things we in Malta love-to-hate! Running alongside the tale of Jack, his mother Lady Frakkasat, his spritely cow and of course his famous beanstalk there's his problematic romance with the lovely Jill, his desperate dream of becoming a gallant knight and to cap it all an invasion of cruel giants that are bent on taking over the village which shall remain nameless (for now...)!!
When asked to highlight one of his favourite aspects of writing panto, Galea says: “Picking and adapting the musical numbers. This year we have 10 super-fun songs that will have our audience toe-tapping away. Three are from musical theatre, two are from musical films, three are contemporary, one is a classic from the 90s and another is a classic from the 70s. At least two of these songs absolutely guarantee to stick in your head throughout Christmas and well into 2019.”
These final rehearsals are the culmination of a year’s work. As MADC’s Chairman Martin Azzopardi explains, the first meeting for a panto is held in January – pretty much once the curtain comes down on the previous show. That January meeting starts the ball rolling, with key dates being set for auditions, the appointment of costume and set designers, orchestra requirements, onsite meetings, and so on. Then, finally, come October, the first dance rehearsals begin under the watchful eye of choreographer Francesco Joseph Nicodeme, followed by singing rehearsals with vocal coach Roger Tirazona a couple of weeks after that. Full drama rehearsals kick off at the end of October. Needless to say, all this while the technical crew work furiously behind the scenes to get everything shipshape.
Jack and the Beanstalk features Michael Mangion as the Dame, Lady Frakkasat, together with Matthew Ben Attard, Katherine Brown, Joe Depasquale, Christina Despott, Rachel Tedesco Triccas, Audrey Scerri, and Sean Briffa; with special appearances by Jacob the Puppet and Galea himself as narrator.
Jack and the Beanstalk will be performed at MFCC Ta’ Qali at 7.30pm on 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2018 and 3, 4, 5 January 2019, with matinee performances at 3pm on 26, 29, 30 December 2018. To book visit www.madc.com.mt or email [email protected] and collected from the booking office from one hour before the show. Tickets start from €10! Tickets also available at €18, €23 and €26, with reduced rates for children aged 3-11. Children aged 2 and under enter FREE with a toddler ticket but must have a reserved seat with parents/guardians.
