For many in Malta, Easter means getting together with family, friends and loved ones to celebrate with religious festivities, a big lunch, egg hunts with the Easter Bunny, chocolate, figolli and sweet treats - and the TOI TOI Annual Easter Concert.

Indeed, the return on Easter Sunday afternoon of this much-loved festive fixture promises to complete the Easter fun again this year. Heading to the national theatre's main stage at 5pm on 9 April, young artists from across Malta and Gozo will collaborate in a truly unforgettable show that will take the audience on an exciting journey through the history of pop music.

"Easter Sunday often unites the whole family - and the TOI TOI Annual Easter Concert is the ideal special event for all ages to share together, extending the togetherness, joy and Easter entertainment into the afternoon and evening," says Kate Fenech Field, TOI TOI Learning Programme Manager. "This year, we have produced a concert bursting full of hits from the 1950s to the present day, through our theme: 'The History of Pop Music'. The songs in the show's packed programme range from 'rock 'n' roll' all the way to Harry Styles. We have also included some medleys that explore the popular music genres, so there's something for everyone in each generation: mums, dads, grandparents, carers and kids."

To create such a fun-filled journey with the audience favourites of the pop world, TOI TOI approached the Malta School of Music Contemporary Department, offering even more young artists the chance to perform on the national theatre stage in a professionally produced show.

"TOI TOI's remit is to educate and entertain, and we feel this collaboration fits squarely within our objectives. Each year, we want to explore new material in a different way, and the combination of contemporary and pop was a natural fit," she continues, referring to Teatru Manoel's popular Learning Programme. "TOI TOI provides a valuable platform for local artists of all ages, levels and backgrounds. While encouraging innovation and inclusivity, offering performance opportunities alongside educational, technical and artistic benefits for young artists can only be of benefit to audiences and the wider cultural community."

And while the toe-tapping music and extraordinary performances of local young talent will take centre stage in the TOI TOI Annual Easter Concert, that doesn't mean that the audience won't be able to join in the fun, in time-honoured TOI TOI style. "We are the participation experts and all our events centre around 'learning by doing'. As ever, we have geared the entire event towards joining in, whether it is through singing or learning some easy movements together," shares Ms Fenech Field. "We try to make sure the learning and participation elements run through the heart of the concert, with high standards of musicianship and ensemble work. We receive excellent feedback from our young theatregoers and know the audience has loved it too, through its exuberant applause. First and foremost, the TOI TOI Easter show is always a lot of fun!"

What's more, the TOI TOI Annual Easter Concert is one of a vibrant array of upcoming TOI TOI shows and experiences during this season at Teatru Manoel. Infants and young children can have their first taste of the theatre world with the final show of the TOI TOI Baby Series: The Clothes Snatcher. Kids aged eight and over will also love EMOJI: My Emotions - a new TOI TOI dance show in collaboration with Moveo Dance Company. Equally unmissable this season is the flagship production of Sin Circus from the theatre's youth training programme, Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre, which will unite theatre, opera and dance mediums for older teen and young adult audiences.

The TOI TOI Annual Easter Concert will take place on 9 April 2023 at 5pm, at Teatru Manoel. Tickets are available via www.teatrumanoel.mt or by email to [email protected] and telephone on (+356) 2124 6389.