Get ready to join a cast of dreamers this May as Amélie - The Musical makes its way to the Teatru Manoel stage from the 8th of May. Presented through a collaboration between Revamp MT and Teatru Manoel, this beloved work promises to delight musical theatre fans, old and new.

Based on the cult-classic 2001 French film by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Amélie - The Musical tells the story of Amélie Poulain, a shy but imaginative young woman who secretly improves the lives of those around her while grappling with her own journey toward happiness. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris, this musical features a heart-warming narrative, a beautiful soundtrack, and eye-catching visuals.

We caught up with Dororthy Bezzina and Matthew Cassar, the director and designer for Amélie - The Musical, to get to know more about what audiences might expect from this exciting co-production.

"This is a production that is whimsical, visually imaginative, and more emotionally layered than audiences might initially assume," says director Dorothy Bezzina. "It naturally carries a sense of Parisian charm, but beneath the humour, imagery and theatricality, there is a deeply human story about loneliness, connection, courage, and the small acts of kindness that can quietly transform lives."

Amélie - The Musical is a production that is largely driven by the large ensemble who support the protagonists, Amélie (Christina Despott) and Nino (Luigi Buhagiar), throughout the musical; Bezzina explains that "the scale of the cast is actually one of the production's strengths," and that there is "a whole world of interconnected characters, each with their own dreams, disappointments and hopes," giving all the performers a chance to take centre-stage. "A particularly beautiful element of this production is that it is actor-musician based," she adds, "the musicians are part of the world of the show itself, and each instrument brings its own texture and colour."

"The world of Amélie is also full of surprises: the set design, puppetry, movement, and music all help create something intimate as well as imaginative. It is one of those shows that delights in detail," Bezzina states. Set and costume designer Matthew Cassar explains how the Amélie team worked together to "develop a cohesive artistic vision, transforming initial ideas into a fully realised and immersive stage environment that supports the storytelling and enhances the audience's experience."

"We want the show to feel fun, whimsical, and distinctly French" Cassar continues. "Whether through the metropolitan-inspired set or the costumes worn by the actors, our aim is to capture a quintessential French aesthetic. This was a style I hadn't yet explored, so it was exciting to dive deeply into researching its visual language and finding ways to bring that sensibility to life on stage."

Finally, on what to expect from this production, Dorothy Bezzina says that "above all, I think audiences can expect to leave with a sense of joy and hope. At its core, Amélie celebrates kindness, vulnerability and the bravery it takes to step out of your inner world and truly connect with others."

Featuring a book by Craig Lucas, with music and lyrics by Daniel Messé and Nathan Tysen, this musical brims with quirky characters and stunning visuals, capturing the magic of small acts of kindness and the power of human connection. Amélie - The Musical runs at Teatru Manoel for two weekends, from 8 to 10 May, and then again from 15 to 17 May. Performances begin at 8pm, with the exception of a 4pm matinee on Sunday 10 May and a 3pm matinee on Sunday 17 May. Recommended admission age for this performance is 6 years and up.

For more information and to book your tickets, you can visit https://teatrumanoel.mt/event/amelie-the-musical/ or call the Teatru Manoel Box Office at  (+356) 21246389.