More Than 150 Practitioners at Our Programme Launch!
“Teatru Malta was once just an initiative on paper; now this programme brings the whole idea to life.” said Sean Buhagiar, the artistic director of Teatru Malta which was launched at Teatru Pandora amongst tens of enthusiastic artists and theatre-makers. “This is our first programme, a programme in which we hope everyone will find something for them whether it be entertaining, disturbing, enthralling or amazing. Here, we believe that theatre can make us all be better human beings. Let’s hope we play our part” he concluded.
Teatru Malta was launched in 2017 and throughout that year has organised a number of activities aimed to listen to the community, create work and most importantly learn. The programme boasts 18 projects, including twelve theatrical productions, an opera for children (Il-Qtates Ta’ max-Xatt) and an operetta (Il-Madonna tiegħi aħjar minn tiegħek) dealing with our local feasts. The productions are all varied with themes ranging from boxing to the explorstion of bird song.
“The Arts Council is proud of the first programme of Teatru Malta. We believe that this programme is challenging the boundaries of theatre in Malta. This was the reason we wanted Teatru Malta, this was the reason we wanted a national theatre with no walls, no doors but with lots and lots of energy.” said Annabelle Stivala Attard, acting Chair of Arts Council Malta.
A number of collaborations have been set up by Teatru Malta for this programme including entities such as British Council, Malta Football Association, Spazju Kreattiv, Teatru Manoel, MADC, the CRPD, Valletta 2018 and many others. Besides this Teatru Malta is also collaborating with more than twenty international artists during the course of the programme.
“Eighteen projects for 2018. Teatru Malta is definitely starting on a high.” The National Theatre also joins the long list of initiatives that are endebted to the European Capital of Culture for their willingness to collaborate with entities such as Teatru Malta. We worked hand in hand in producing projects with band clubs, schools and a large-scale project in Gozo. We look forward to Teatru Malta’s first programme.” continued Jason Micallef, chair of the Valletta 2018 Foundation.
Teatru Malta will also be visiting a number of locations not normally associated with theatrical productions namely the five regions of Malta in spaces such as the National Stadium, Mount Carmel Community Theatre, każini,band clubs, schools, also including large-scale summer prodcution in Gozo.
“Teatru Malta was a necessary step for our cultural sphere. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we believe this programme is proof that we as Malteae take our theatre very seriously. Having a national theatre with a scope such as that of Teatru Malta places us at the forefront of European theatre making. We are working with professionals; the communities, in the periphery and spaces. We are making sure our theatre is relevant and excellent It is my pleasure to support this programme.” concluded Owen Bonnici.
The website was also launched to promote the programme and act as Teatru Malta’s main online platform. For more information on Teatru Malta’s programme, you need to log into www.teatrumalta.org.mt or call 21220255.