Theatre
The End of the Affair
9-21 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
An adaptation of Graham Greene’s novel, directed by Lino Mallia. Produced by Maleth
Disney ReTuned
Extra shows on 12-14 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
A colourful set design, Disney-licenced costumes, sing-along tunes, baddies, goodies and prizes to be won. Disney ReTuned will take you through a journey of wonderland. Presented by the Curtain Raiser Theatre Troupe. Directed by Patrick Vella
Audacity
26-28 January; 2-4, 9-11 February at St James Cavalier, Valletta
The MADC’s first production at St James Cavalier for 2007 is Simon Maudsley’s black comedy Audacity. In this comedy-thriller, desperate times require desperate measures. Embittered and struggling to make ends meet while going through a messy divorce, Phil dreams up an audacious plan to rob a popular department store of their pre-Christmas takings. With the reluctant help of two fellow salesmen, who are also facing financial problems, the unlikely trio meet in a run-down bedsit to rehearse and plan the most exciting thing they’ve done in their lives. Problems develop, however, when the wives of two of them men get together to investigate their husbands’ unusual behaviour. Tension and laughs run high in this situation-comedy-thriller, as the play comes to an unpredictable end. The cast consists of Michael Zammit Maempel, Malcolm Galea, Jean-Marc Agius, Julia Calvert and Greta Agius. Directed by Coryse Borg.
L-Impotenti
27-28 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Nicolo Macchiavelli’s La Mandragola in a Maltese translation directed by Zepp Camilleri. Produced by Talenti.
Cinema
The Beat that my Heart Skipped
7-9 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Stylish and visceral, this able remake is infused with realism, grit, and a taut performance by star Romain Duris.
Friends with Money
7-13 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Strong lead performances, witty dialogue and wry observations cement Friends With Money as another winning dramedy from writer/director Nicole Holofcener.
Whisky
10-18 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Directed by Pablo Stoll and Juan Pablo Rebella, this engaging film tells the story of Jacobo (Andrés Pazos), a businessman from Uruguay, who convinces a difficult employee (Mirella Pascual) to pose as his wife in order to impress his visiting long-lost brother.
Casomai
11 January at the Italian Cultural Institute, Vecchia Cancelleria, Piazza San Giorgio, Valletta
By Alessandro D’Alatri, with Stefania Rocca and Fabio Volo.
The Black Dahlia
14-18, 26-27 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Based on the novel by James Ellroy, Brian De Palma’s The Black Dahlia stars Josh Hartnett and Aaron Eckhart as a pair of LAPD detectives assigned to the most notorious murder in Hollywood history.
La felicita’ non costa niente
18 January at the Italian Cultural Institute, Vecchia Cancelleria, Piazza San Giorgio, Valletta
By Mimmo Calopresti, with Mimmo Calopresti, Vincent Perez, Peppe Servillo and Francesca Neri.
Nosferatu
24 January at the Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre, Valletta
As part of the Silents are Golden series, accompanied by live music.
Dopo mezzanotte
25 January at the Italian Cultural Institute, Vecchia Cancelleria, Piazza San Giorgio, Valletta
By Davide Ferrario with Giorgio Pasotti, Francesca Inaudi, Fabio Troiano, Francesca Picozza.
The Night Listener
26-30 January at St James Cavalier, Valletta
This psychological thriller compels by blurring the line between truth and fiction. Starring Robin Williams.
Music
St Catherine of Italy lunchtime concerts
Thursdays and Sundays at the church of St Catherine of Italy, Valletta
These concerts are organised by St James Cavalier in collaboration with the Valletta Rehabilitation Project and the Manoel Theatre in order to raise funds for the restoration of this church. Collaboration with the Manoel Theatre, through the temporary loan of the harpsichord, has made possible a wider range of repertoire, specifically from the baroque and early classical period. All the proceeds from these concerts will go towards the church’s restoration fund.
Intimate Letters – the second series
Starting 11 January at the Auberge de Castille, Valletta
St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity, in collaboration with Novartis, presents a series of six concerts in auberges and palaces round Malta linking the intimate letters of famous composers with their music. The first, Verdi – the man in his letter, will be performed by ProMuzika Ensemble and Noel Galea on bass.
Meet the Composer series – in love with Bach
14 January at the church of St Catherine of Italy, Valletta
An exciting monthly series introducing some of the finest composers. In the next concert, the St James Consort will interpret two major works by J S Bach – the double violin concerto in D minor and the concerto for violin and oboe.
Grand Concert by the National Orchestra
20 January at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta
Conducted by Paolo Ponziano Ciardi. Presented by the national orchestra in collaboration with the Orchestra Sinfonica di Pesaro. Soloists: Carmine Lauri and Tim Hugh. Organised in collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute.
Listen to the Reed and the Tale it Tells!
23 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The World Wind Band combines the diverse and colourful sounds of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe. Jan Hendrickse and Dirk Campbell on traditional wind instruments are joined for this concert by Tunde Jegede (kora and cello) and Nathan Thomson (bass and flutes). Their music is a fusion of ethnic and contemporary sounds that encompass tradition from all over the globe. These include music from as far afield as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Korea and West Africa. In Malta they will present a programme entitled Listen to the reed and the tale it tells, which is inspired by the writings of the 13th century Persian poet Rumi. Organised in collaboration with the British Council.
Intersections
26-28 January at the MITP, St Christopher’s Street, Valletta
Maltese multi-percussionist Renzo Spiteri will be joining forces with American marimba and vibraphone artiste Dr Dan Moore, to present yet another innovative project of fusion of musical talent. More information from www.renzospiteri.com or phone 9949-0815.
Second edition of the Serata all’Operetta
27 January at the Cultural Performance Hall, Societa’ Filarmonica “Sliema”, Palazzo Sliema, 34, St Trophimus Street, Sliema
Coordinated by Mro Joe Fenech. Seven local singers will interpret popular selections from operettas. Organised by the Sliema Philharmonic Society
Special concert
28 January at the Sir Temi Zammit Auditorium, University of Malta
A special concert by the Sliema Youth Big Band, conducted by Mro Sigmund Mifsud. Local singers will join the youth ensemble in performing selections from musicals, film themes and popular songs such as soundtracks. Organised by the Sliema Philharmonic Society.
National Orchestra Brass Ensemble
30 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The National Orchestra Brass Ensemble performs entertaining music from the semi-classical and light repertoire.
Visual Arts
Stars and Spirals: Christmas and Archaeology Stamp Designs
1 December-14 January at the Lobby, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
An exhibition of original designs used for stamp issues with archaeological and Christmas themes, organised by Heritage Malta and MaltaPost plc.
From Within
2 December-14 January at Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
An exhibition by Heritage Malta artists.
Works in Clay: Antoine Camilleri
6 December-4 February at the Contemporary Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta
An exhibition of works of art by Antoine Camilleri (1922-2005), organised by Heritage Malta.
Recent Paintings
11 December-15 January at the Loggia, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta
An exhibition of paintings by Lemmiki Louhimies.
Poetry in Motion: Photographic Exhibition of Beijing Opera
18 December-9 January at the Art Gallery, China Cultural Centre, 173, Melita Street, Valletta
As a keen lover of photography and Chinese culture, Charles Mifsud captures through his lens the “moving poetry” of Beijing Opera performances staged at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in April this year.
Paintings Exhibition by Steve Micallef and Mark Muscat
4-24 January at the Manoel Theatre courtyard, Valletta.
Abstract paintings from the National Collection
5-31 January at the Exhibition Hall, Ministry for Gozo, Victoria, Gozo
An exhibition of abstract paintings by leading Maltese artists from the Reserve Collection of the National Museum of Fine Arts, organised by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Gozo Ministry.
Malta Songlines – Guzeppi Schembri Bonaci
12 January-11 February at the main hall, St James Cavalier, Valletta
Aboriginal philosophy of the genesis underlines that the world was created by means of song. The creator sang the world into existence. Guzeppi Schembri Bonaci’s works are a reflection of these thoughts transposed onto the Mediterranean-Maltese soil.
Exhibition of Abstract Paintings by Kevin Attard
17-31 January at the Art Gallery, China Cultural Centre, 173 Melita Street, Valletta
Particles of Fate
18 January – 18 February at the atrium, St James Cavalier, Valletta
With photography by John Grech and poetry by Lino Buhagiar. John and Lino have created a world which is enticing and thought-provoking. The poems stand on their own, as do the photographs, but in tandem they create yet another world that is not always the way the reader or viewer has seen up till now.
Outlining Our Worlds
20 January-4 March at the Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
A collective exhibition of paintings and installations by seven artists.
The Joseph Sammut Archaeological Artefacts Collection
22 January-18 February at the Lobby, National Museum of Archaeology, Valletta
An exhibition of archaeological artefacts donated to Heritage Malta.
Art exhibition
Permanent exhibition at Muska Gallery, 24, Main Street, Balzan
By Celia Borg Cardona and Kenneth Zammit Tabona.
Lectures
Caravaggio, the Confraternità della Misericordia, and the original context of the Oratory of the Decollato in Valletta
11 January at Din L-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta
Lecture by Dr Keith Sciberras. Free admission.
Understanding Opera
17 January at Din L-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta
Lecture by Mro Joseph Vella. No prior knowledge is required but anyone interested in the subject is welcome. To register please contact Din l-Art Helwa, 133 Melita Street, Valletta on [email protected] or telephone 2122 5952. Registration is Lm8 per session for non-members, Lm5 for members, including coffee break
Aspects of China and The Chinese Gardens
23 January at the multi-functional hall, China Cultural Centre, 173 Melita Street, Valletta
Lecture by Chris Salomone (Australia). The talk will mainly focus on the main features and elements of the Chinese gardens as well as their symbolic meanings.
Other Events
Hercules – The Panto
26-30 December, 2-7, 9-14 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
MADC have dipped into the rich well of Greek mythology, shuffled it around a little, included all the traditions that come with the panto and come up with an evening of pure entertainment for all the family. Written by Alan Montanaro, direction is in the hands of Frederick Testa.
This information is correct at the time of printing
Bookings for the Manoel Theatre from the Manoel Theatre booking office, tel. 2124-6389; email [email protected] and online www.teatrumanoel.com
Bookings for St James Cavalier from the booking office in Valletta, tel. 2122-3200 or email: [email protected] More information from website www.sjcav.org
Bookings for the Mediterranean Conference Centre tel. 2559-5751 or [email protected]
[email protected]