The hilarious comedy Glorious! is the true story of Florence Foster Jenkins, possibly the worst soprano in the world. Florence was a legend in her own lifetime. She was a lady who believed she was blessed with a divine voice and that it was her duty and pleasure to delight her friends and, eventually, the public with her renditions of arias from the operas interspersed with lieder and song.

Sadly, her voice, though powerful, rarely stayed on pitch or hit the correct note, making her renditions discordantly appalling yet strangely appealing. Slowly, word got round that her performances were events not to be missed and were even attended at times by critics, with the result that she was persuaded to desert the ballroom circuit and take the plunge and appear at Carnegie Hall.

The role of Florence Foster Jenkins will be played by Marylu Coppini, while Mikhail Basmadjian will be playing her pianist Cosme McMoon. Colin Willis will play her boyfriend St Clair, Nanette Brimmer will be playing Florence’s best friend Dorothy, Paula Fleri Soler will play Maria the Mexican maid and Simone Pavlides will play the part of Florence’s arch-enemy Mrs Johnson.

Glorious! is directed by Coryse Borg for the MADC. Musical director is Alexander Vella Gregory, while choreography is in the hands of Emma Loftus. Set design is by Harry Borg. Glorius! will be performed at the Manoel Theatre on the 8 – 10 and 15 – 17 February 2008.

Tickets may be booked or purchased from the Manoel Theatre Booking Office, email: [email protected], website: www.teatrumanoel.com.mt and tel. no: 21 246389. More information from website: www.madc.biz.