Flamenco at the Salesian Theatre
It is so encouraging to simply walk down my street and to the Salesian Theatre for the evening’s entertainment rather than go and battle it out in the almost non-existent parking lots of Valletta, risking a ticket or two. And so to Alegria Academia’s Una Forma de Vivir: Arte Flamenca which was masterminded by the enthusiastic Ingrid Sciberras who is also the company’s director. Rosanna Maya has returned to her native country, South Africa.
All the students of the school were given a role to play, if not on the stage then off it. If they weren’t dancing then they were involved in the choreography. This is the only dance school specializing in Flamenco dance.
On the whole I have to say that I prefer the tango and all that goes with it, including glamorous costumes, to flamenco. However, much to my delight there was some excellent tango danced that evening, too. There is one consolation: to dance flamenco you do not have to have the figure of a model which is reassuring to those of us who go beyond a size 14. If you are a size 16 or more, there is still room for you at this particular inn. It is consoling to watch dancers of a certain size, in attractive flamenco costumes and embroidered shawls dance as nimbly as their much slimmer and lighter colleagues.
The whole show was suffused in colour – costumes made by Maria Pisani. Girls in attractive costumes ushered us in and sold us a programme. It was a visual feast in every way and although the Salesian theatre, with its Cali murals, does not have the allure of the Manoel Theatre, it is a comfortable and fairly intimate venue.
When we were young we were allowed to go and watch films there, my parents reassured that they were fit for young children since this theatre has always been managed by the Salesians.
I recall going there with the Cole brothers – all four of them – and their young sister Myra. Johanny Cole who was then a minister in the Labour Party government and his wife Doris were regular visitors at home. (Later on they emigrated to Australia. I wonder what has become of them.) So the ten of us were dispatched to the cinema – if not the Salesian theatre then to some other vetted film at the Gaiety or Alhambra in Sliema.
I’ve watched flamenco in Spain and I must say that Allegria’s show would not have displeased a Spanish audience. The dancers were spontaneous and danced with panache and flair and joy. There was a genuine buzz on that stage and the wonderful music helped us all to float into a very good mood.
This was a most pleasant evening with refreshingly straightforward imagery that did not demand any cerebral investigation of form, structure or meaning from the viewer. And it never became weary, such was the variety presented to us. The key word here was entertainment, much to the dismay of those who consider culture and sheer enjoyment as not compatible. And good entertainment it was too.
O’Hea Opticians Christmas Party
How many parties, receptions, drinks parties and luncheons did I attend in the course of the last few weeks? As many as most of you I am certain. I do not keep count but I can tell from my expanding waistline that it was one too many. One of my favourites was that organized by Celia Melillo, a director of O’Hea Opticians and a managing dispensing optician herself. The party was held at the Quarterdeck Bar at Hilton Malta.
There I met, after several years, Simon Vella whom I remember in the Science Faculty at the University of Malta, as a clever student together with her sister, now in Canada. She married John Vella, a medical doctor and a Nationalist MP. There were others too, I had not seen for several years and so thanks to Celia, I was able to catch up on how they have spent their lives – in a nutshell – and, at this stage whether they have had a hip or knee replacement! I struck up conversation with a Dr and Mrs Allen who told me how they had met – a most interesting story of romance and determination on his part. He followed her until he got her and married her! She is Maltese and has taught French for most of her life and they have now retired in Malta. We found we had several acquaintances in common.
Guests at the Quarterdeck were welcomed with a glass of mulled wine, which was just what one wanted on a fairly cold winter’s day. Celia had organized a lavish cocktail reception and an assortment of cold canapés followed by hot ones were served throughout the evening, very generously. I loved the deep fried pistachio artichokes and the prawns wrapped in potato spaghetti, baked gnocchi with confit of pork and others of course.
There was even a Blue Elephant table where all kinds of delicious food was served. As you can imagine it proved to be a great favourite.
The sweets were served at the end of the evening (although most guests did not really want to leave). I loved the caramelized lemon tartlets and strawberry and pistachio meringues and finally, the celebratory cake was cut. It was professionally prepared by Cheryl Vella of Novelty cakes.
The guests were mainly medical colleagues, staff of the O'Hea group and suppliers some of whom had come from Italy for this occasion. A most enjoyable party in every way which set a high standard for the Christmas season.