Gozo is set to host a major musical theatre production as DreamWorks' The Prince of Egypt takes to the stage at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre in Victoria next month, bringing together Maltese performers with experience in London's West End and a large ensemble of local talent.
Based on the biblical Book of Exodus and the 1998 DreamWorks animated film, the musical tells the story of Moses, who grows up as an Egyptian prince alongside Ramses before discovering his Hebrew heritage and confronting the reality of his people's suffering. Their relationship, once rooted in childhood friendship and brotherhood, ultimately becomes a conflict between two men whose responsibilities and destinies pull them in opposing directions.
The Gozo production, staged in collaboration with the Gozo Heritage Directorate following the acquisition of the necessary rights from London, will be performed in English. It marks the musical's Maltese premiere and is expected to be one of the most ambitious productions staged at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre.
With music and lyrics by Grammy and Oscar-winning composer Stephen Schwartz and a book by Philip LaZebnik, the show features some of the best-known songs from the animated film, including the Academy Award-winning When You Believe and the much-loved Deliver Us. The production combines music, dance and elaborate costumes to bring the world of ancient Egypt to life.
At the heart of the production is the relationship between Moses and Ramses, a central theme that artistic director Jamie Camilleri wants audiences to explore beyond the spectacle of the story.
Camilleri said he is particularly interested in showing how the two characters move from childhood friendship to a painful confrontation between men who feel a duty towards their respective peoples.
Ramses's journey from being the son of Pharaoh to becoming Pharaoh himself brings pressure, responsibility and the need to prove his worth. Moses, meanwhile, embarks on a journey of identity and self-discovery after learning about his Hebrew origins and the suffering of his people.
"For me, these human relationships and journeys are what make this story so powerful and relevant," Camilleri explained, identifying family, identity, responsibility, sacrifice and difficult choices as themes that remain central to the production.
The set design is also intended to reflect these contrasts. Inspired by the architecture, scale and visual richness of ancient Egypt, the stage will initially present a contained world in which Egyptians and Hebrews occupy the same space but live under very different circumstances. While the setting conveys the power and dominance of Pharaoh's Egypt, it also reflects the confinement experienced by the Hebrew people.
One of the production's defining moments will be the parting of the Red Sea, when the stage transforms to represent the Hebrews' journey from oppression towards freedom and the opportunity to determine their own future.
The musical's principal roles will be played by two Maltese performers now based in London's West End. CJ Friggieri will portray Moses, while Yentel G. Troisi will take on the role of Ramses. Kyra Cremona and Krista Mercieca will play Nefertari and Tzipporah respectively.
Friggieri said his preparation for the role has involved repeatedly listening to the musical's score, studying the stage version and analysing Moses's emotional journey throughout the story.
Having spent much of the rehearsal period away from the rest of the cast, he described the process of preparing for the production as challenging. However, he has been able to work through scenes and songs with Troisi, who also lives in the United Kingdom.
His aim, he said, is to become so familiar with the material that he can set aside the technical demands of preparation and concentrate fully on telling the story on stage.
For Troisi, returning to perform in Malta is a particularly significant experience. Having last performed in the Maltese islands in 2016, the actor described the return as surreal and welcomed the progress made by Maltese theatre and local talent during the intervening years.
Troisi also expressed hope that the growth of theatre in Malta and Gozo will create more opportunities for performers to pursue acting professionally, rather than having to treat it as a secondary occupation.
The possibility of Malta becoming a Mediterranean hub for touring companies and longer-running productions is another ambition Troisi believes the island could work towards.
The production's musical dimension will be led by musical director Mro Mark Gauci, who has previously conducted several major productions at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre, including Scrooge, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Beauty and the Beast.
Gauci described the score of The Prince of Egypt as a rich musical experience, combining powerful choral passages, expressive solo performances and vibrant orchestral sections. Drawing on influences that evoke ancient Egypt and the Hebrew people, the music retains the character of contemporary musical theatre while moving between intimate moments and large-scale dramatic scenes.
The chorus will play an important role in shaping the production's atmosphere and emotional impact. At times, it will represent the wider community; at others, it will become an integral part of the narrative, reinforcing the tensions and emotions experienced by the principal characters.
The wider creative team includes Angela Tirchett, who will direct the pit singers, choreographer Giada Farrugia and wardrobe designer Marisa Theuma, who is responsible for the production's costumes. Scenography is being handled by Dennis Mompalao and Paul M. Cassar, working alongside volunteers from the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre.
The principal cast will be supported by a large ensemble of around 100 people, including musicians, singers, choristers and dancers. Other performers include Karl J. Buhagiar, Presley Clark, Aaron Fenech, Jeremy Paul Grech, Carlota Martinez, Casey Sacco, Elisa Vella and Joy Xerri.
The musical runs for approximately two hours and 30 minutes and will be staged over six performances at the Don Bosco Oratory Theatre in Victoria, Gozo.
The opening performance is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at 7.30pm, followed by performances on Saturday, November 14, at 7.30pm, and Sunday, November 15, at 4pm. Further performances will take place on Friday, November 20, and Saturday, November 21, both at 7.30pm, with the final performance scheduled for Sunday, November 22, at 5.30pm.
Tickets are available from the Don Bosco Oratory in Victoria daily between 5pm and 6.30pm. Bookings can also be made by calling 21556616 or 77655194, or online through theatre.donboscogozo.org and donboscogozo.org.