THEATRE
Shakespeare’s Villains: A Masterclass in Evil
2-4 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
By Steven Berkoff. Once again Steven Berkoff holds the stage alone – this time with his dazzling interpretation and analysis of Shakespeare’s most villainous characters: Iago, the Macbeths, Shylock, Richard III, Hamlet… Characters who are inherently evil, others whose situation leads them to evil deeds, others at the mercy of an evil society. Incisive insights into the psyche give way to Shakespeare’s own words which explode into the auditorium from one of the UK’s most formidable and maverick talents. In his show, which is part pedagogy, part snippy stand-up and part tour de force acting dazzle, Steven Berkoff zips through a lecture on a cache of Shakespearean characters with the kind of flair that can turn indifferent students into drama majors! It is not only a wonderful character study, but also a fascinating history lesson. Ultimately, it is a thoroughly enjoyable theatrical event. In collaboration with the British Council
Audacity
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 schemes up an audacious plan to hold up 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 is made up of Michael Zammit Maempel, Malcolm Galea, Jean-Marc Agius, Julia Calvert and Greta Agius. Directed by Coryse Borg
Paul
16-18, 23-25 February at St James Cavalier, Valletta
This February Unifaun Theatre presents Paul, a play by Howard Brenton. Starting from the moment Saul receives a divine revelation on the road to Damascus it explores the early history of the Christian faith, reaching a dramatic and, for some, shocking conclusion. Taking as his main source the letters of this profound religious thinker, Howard Brenton explores the extraordinary phenomenon of faith. While offering a secular reading of the story of Christ’s resurrection, at the play’s heart Paul preaches from his Letter to the Corinthians, the eloquence of which cannot fail to move. An irreverent, provocative new play by the author of The Romans in Britain, Paul had apparently already prompted over 200 letters of complaint even before its first performance at the National Theatre in London at the beginning of October 2005. Describing it as “a play about the nature of faith” and a “secular reading of the story of Christ’s resurrection”, the National Theatre’s director, Nicholas Hytner, admits it is “irreverent”, “provocative” and “sceptical”, though “not intended to be controversial or shocking”. Directed by Chris Gatt, the cast includes Manuel Cauchi, Kevin Drake, Victor Debono, Paul Portelli, Stefan Cachia Zammit, Mario Spiteri and talented newcomers Mariano Said, Christian Micallef, Roger Mulvaney and Maria Buckle. Paul has just been nominated for the 2006 Laurence Olivier Award in the category of Best New Play. The ceremony will take place in March 2007.
Company
23-25 February, 2-4 March at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical, directed by Denise Mulholland. Musical direction by Rosetta De Battista and produced by MADC. Company explores the relationship between 35-year-old bachelor Bobby and his married friends - five crazy couples who know all about relationships even if they don’t always manage to get it right. From the about-to-be-married to the long-married, the often-married and even the once-married! As he observes the ups and downs of the various relationships surrounding him, Bobby wonders who’s got it right. Is it better to stay single or is he missing out on a fundamental part of life by refusing to commit to anyone? With Mikhail Basmadjian as Bobby, as well as Julie James, Isabel Warrington, Pia Zammit, Charlotte Grech, Wesley Ellul, John Marinelli, Alan Montanaro, Alan Paris, Jean-Pierre Busuttil, Leontine, Katherine Brown, Krista Paris and Elaine Camilleri
MUSIC
Orkestra Nazzjonali Brass Ensemble
30 January at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
The National Orchestra Brass Ensemble performs entertaining music from the semi-classical and light repertoire
The Go Mobile Malta Song for Europe 2007
1, 3 February at the Malta Fairs and Conventions Centre, Ta’ Qali
Organised by the Maltasong Board within the Malta Council for Culture and the Arts, Ministry for Tourism and Culture
Daan Vandewalle in concert
6 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Virtuoso Belgian pianist performs works by Brahms, Chopin and Stravinsky. Under the patronage of the Embassy for the Kingdom of Belgium
Vocalise in Concert
10-11 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Johannes Brahms’ Liebeslieder Watzer and Hans Werner Henze’s The Moralities, directed by Hans Jurgen Nagel and produced by Claire Massa
Valentine’s Day Concert
13 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Oleg Polanski plays Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 3. The Orkestra Nazzjonali conducted by Mro Michael Laus
Cin Cin La
16-17 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
This popular operetta adds more merriment to the Carnival Seasons; under the artistic direction of Joe Izzo, and produced by The Valletta Dramatic Company
Chinese New Year Concert
18 February at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Celebrate the Year of the Pig with traditional Chinese music. In collaboration with the China Cultural Centre
Shostakovich – The Story of a Friendship
22 February at the Sala Isouard, Teatru Manoel, Valletta
The second concert in the second series of Intimate Letters; ProMuzika Ensemble and Caroline Calleja
Meet the Composer Series – George Philip Telemann
25 February at St Catherine of Italy Church, Valletta
An exciting monthly series introducing some of the world's finest composers.
DANCE
Percussion and Dance Performance
13 February at Republic Street, Valletta
On the occasion of the Chinese Spring Festival, includes a performance by Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre, a march to the Old Theatre and a performance at the Old Theatre as well as an evening performance
Circle of Senses
16-18, 23-25 February at the Mediterranean Conference Centre, Valletta.
YADA Dance Company's 2007 mega dance spectacular. An original production that stimulates your senses with movement, colour, scents, sound and lights. Beautiful dancers, foreign choreographers, three-dimensional effects and costumes by the acclaimed Charles & Ron. Directed by Felix Busuttil
VISUAL ARTS
Works in Clay: Antoine Camilleri
6 December 2006-4 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
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 Ministry for Gozo
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 which is not always the way the reader or viewer has seen up till now. Sponsored by BOV
The Eye of the Leica – Photography or not- Rob Weatherburn
19 January-18 February at St James Cavalier, Valletta
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
Colonial Malta: Building a Romantic Landscape
7 February-20 March at the Contemporary Hall, National Museum of Fine Arts, Valletta
An exhibition curated by Dr Malcolm Borg of Heritage Enterprise, organised by Heritage Malta
Faces and Others
8-23 February at the Malta Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Palazzo De La Salle, Valletta
An exhibition by artists Joseph Spiteri Staines and Kevin Attard
Phantoms
9-28 February at the Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa
An exhibition of sculptures by Chris Ebejer
Exhibition of Chinese fans and umbrellas
10 February to 30 March at St James Cavalier, Valletta
Exhibition
16 February-26 March at the main hall, St James Cavalier, Valletta
Paintings by Trevor Borg
Ecce Mater Tua, Ecce Filius Tuus: Good Friday costumes in Spain and Malta
22 February-15 April at the Inquisitor’s Palace, Vittoriosa
An exhibition of images of Good Friday processions in Spain and Malta, including also other Holy Week traditional artifacts, organized by Heritage Malta in collaboration with the Spanish Maltese Circle
Art exhibition
Permanent exhibition at Muska Gallery, 24, Main Street, Balzan
By Celia Borg Cardona and Kenneth Zammit Tabona
LECTURES
Unspeakable Contents: Shakespeare on the Boulevard du Crime
31 January at the University of Malta, Gateway Building, Hall E1
Lecture by Professor John Gillies, an eminent Shakespearean and Head of the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex. Organised by the British Council and the University of Malta’s Faculty of Arts. As part of the Faculty’s Literature and Comparison Seminar Series
Shakespeare in Exotic Performance Mode: Style and Stylisation
1 February at the Sala Isouard, Manoel Theatre, Valletta
Lecture by Professor John Gillies, an eminent Shakespearean and Head of the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex. Organised by the British Council and the University of Malta’s Faculty of Arts
Food in Malta during the time of the Knights
1 February at Din L-Art Helwa, 133, Melita Str, Valletta
Public lecture by Professor Carmel Cassar organised by Din l-Art Helwa
The Hagar Qim Project
6 February at Heritage Malta Head Office, Valletta
Public lecture by Dr Reuben Grima, Senior Curator World Heritage Sites, organised by Heritage Malta
Manwel Magri as a Writer of Folklore
27 February at Heritage Malta head office, Valletta
Public lecture by Dr George Mifsud Chircop, organised by Heritage Malta
OTHER EVENTS
Poetry on Gozo
31 January at Dverna Tal-Mewta, Victoria, Gozo
Garden Party
13 February at the Upper Barrakka Gardens, Valletta
Includes puppet shows, Chinese music, tea ceremony, Chinese calligraphy, Taiji, Chinese food, games, riddle on couplets, origami
Carnival
16-20 February
A feast of joyful dancing and grotesque defiles in Valletta, Floriana and other villages around the island. Event organised by the National Folklore Commission
International Day of Native Languages: Vers Aghtini
17 February at the National Museum of the Social History of the Maltese Language (Auberge de France), Vittoriosa
An evening of Maltese poems and prose read by children on the occasion of the International Day of Native Languages, an initiative of UNESCO and United Nations, organised by FrannyJo Publications in collaboration with Heritage Malta
Valletta Creative Forum
24 February at Mount Carmel Hospital, Attard
The Valletta Creative Forum focuses on issues challenging contemporary culture in Malta through a series of encounters and workshops which aim to provide concrete proposals and a road map for the future of culture in Malta. The second forum will discuss “Arts and Health: The Well-Being of Maltese Society”
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 at St James Cavalier from the Booking Office in Valletta, tel. 2122 3200 or email: [email protected]. More information from website www.sjcav.org
Bookings at the Mediterranean Conference Centre tel. 2559 5751 or [email protected]
[email protected]