Category: Uncategorized @mt

​​Rehabilitation is perhaps the most widely used word in the field of criminal justice. I’m not sure we understand thoroughly what it implies. Simply put, this word positions forgiveness, love and redemption as a counterweight to the negative act that has been done. Rehabilitation is the cure that every citizen needs and deserves since it’s a longtime universally acknowledged assumption that we learn from the evil and harm that others do and thus refine our social mechanisms. Aside from that, everyone deserves another chance, over and over again, to fully redeem oneself. Of course, this does not happen unless one atones for one’s deeds. Only then can reform become consequential to a harmonious sense of community. 

Now, one hundred years after the death of Manwel Dimech, in connection with this phenomenon, we continue to insist that there is goodness in everyone, that there is worth and wisdom in everyone and that it is in the moment that prison robs us of those ideals that we may begin to lose hope in mankind. Dimech, despite having suffered loss throughout his upbringing, felt enlightened at some point and, instead of losing all sense of hope, used captivity to shape his thoughts about what it is that governs what is right in the way people live. Because real inner reform leads you to change through self-reflection. But not only that. Dimech is an inspiration to many because he managed to transform his inner energy into a fight against injustice and was not afraid to fight against the most powerful social and political forces of the time: the Catholic Church and the colonial occupiers. His life did not end happily because he was exiled to the cause and died far from home. A real pity—he had been an inspiration for many. Above all, Dimech wanted to send a message to the people to fight against the destruction of self-colonization—the propensity to be servile, to use our critical skills, to assimilate to one tribe or another. In short, Dimech had a lot to teach us, especially about the oppression and dismantling of man’s dignity in prison. His voice remains strong, a call for truth to surface. Let us continue to be inspired. An opportunity to meet this hero is what the theatrical work of Il-Qfil u l-Ħelsien Skont Manwel Dimech will offer, where Teatru Malta are collaborating with prisoners to create the elements of the theatrical set. The reform that Dimech once talked about is thus brought to life.

By now you’ve probably noticed that we’ve been hinting at a new project for a while. Well we haven’t exactly been hinting at it, unless you’d consider a mural by graffiti artist Twitch, in the heart of Sliema to be a subtle hint.

Since we don’t do subtle well and can’t really reveal much more about the project for now, we’ll just go ahead and reveal our cast to you. But first let’s tell you what this show is about or rather something about it’s main protagonist: Manwel Dimech. 

Some say the man had one true calling: to free the Maltese people from shackles riddled with oppression, ignorance and fear. We tend to agree, which is why we decided to make a music theatre piece about him. It also happens to be the 100th year anniversary from his death which makes everything all the more poignant. 

Il-Qfil u l-Ħelsien Skont Manwel Dimech is a devised musical theatre piece, interpreted through the eyes of the courageous activist who paved the road to liberation with knowledge, thought and perseverance. Written and directed by Victor Jacono, and composed and musically directed by Kris Spiteri, this riveting production will be staged at none other than the old military prison in Corradino – you read that right and make no mistake, this is no average sit down event, this is a walkthrough standing event which will let in 50 people at a time, so places are limited to say the least. 

Now back to our stellar cast. We won’t reveal who will be reprising the role of Dimech just yet, but let’s just say he’s a very familiar face who’s interpreted many different faces over the years. So it could basically be anyone in this list!  

This show will star the likes of (deep breath) Debbie Scerri, Roger Tirazona, Joseph Zammit, Bettina Paris, Edward Mercieca, Karl Cassar, Stephen Oliver, Nikki Casar and Mark Tonna, Jackie Pace Delicata, Hannah Marie Attard, Michaela Fenech, Jonathan Mohnani, Marco Calleja, Andrew Barberi, Rambert Attard, Martina Schembri, Leah Mifsud, Gianluca Cilia and Jayden Micallef (breathe out).

So now you know who our cast is made up of, but keep your eyes out for more than just our big poster reveal in the coming days, because we have a lot more where this came from hidden up our sleeves.

See you all in prison!

Nassaba: Song of a Bird🐦 by Jimmy Grima is back from its tour in the Netherlands and Switzerland ! Did you miss the show the first time round? Or maybe you’d like to watch it again? Well you’re in luck! Because the critically acclaimed show has returned home and will be performed on the 30th of October at the Catholic Institute of Floriana!

🎫Tickets for the show are just €10 and can be purchased from the link here

Teatru Malta’s artistic director Sean Buhagiar, Minister for the National Heritage, Local Government and Culture Minister Dr Jose Herrera and Arts Council Malta’s Executive Chair Albert Marshall launched Teatru Malta’s new season programme at the Friggieri Hall inside the Valletta Design Cluster earlier today. 

Albert Marshall said, ‘’The dynamic and resilience of Teatru Malta have shone through throughout the past few months of the pandemic during which Teatru Malta made sure to continue developing future projects for the years to come.’’ 

The Autumn/Winter Programme of Events, Teatru Malta’s first since 2020, featuring original art work by Collage Artist Fabio D’Amato, is now available for free from all Agenda Bookshop, WHSmith and 8tillLate outlets across Malta and Gozo. The programme highlights the work that the national theatre company have focused on developing over the course of the pandemic.

“We’re glad to be back to being the national theatre company for our audiences, by presenting a programme that can only exist here in Malta whilst collaborating with some of the world’s biggest theatre names,” said Buhagiar.

A variety of events feature in the colourful programme that opens with the dance theatre performance “O”. Dedicated to the late Oliver Friggieri a year on from his death. “O” is directed by Buhagiar, choreographed by Cheryl Lofreda and performed by the MVMT, Jamie Cardona and Clare Tonna, with original music by Chris Vella. The devised work will take place at Teatru Manoel following their recent restoration projects. Tickets for the event are now available online with the show premiering on the 29th of October to a limited audience capacity. 

This is a programme that truly caters to audiences of all ages. The endearing children’s opera Il-Qtates ta’ max-Xatt has been adapted as a puppet theatre performance by the puppeteer Sean Briffa and performers Jeremy Grech and Clare Ghigo. The show is available for schools across the island and will take place at the Esplora Planetarium. 

During the launch, Minister Herrera notably announced that the Ministry will be presenting a legal notice establishing Teatru Malta as a stand-alone agency, serving as the national theatre company of Malta. This legal notice will be launched in collaboration with Arts Council Malta. 

“As a government, we are committed to further strengthening the cultural sector so that we continue to offer more accessibility to our community. Thanks to the programme that we are launching today for the Autumn/Winter schedule, Teatru Malta is offering a wide selection of productions that deal with interesting and relevant topics, so that we may continue to increase the attendance of new audiences; audiences which might not be familiar with theatre,” said Minister Jose Herrera. He went on to say that there are many ongoing collaborations with cultural entities aimed at delivering this varied programme, as well as collaboration with other relevant Ministries and organisations, in order to further increase innovation within the sector.

Teatru Malta will also be working on a five-year strategy in consultation with its associate artists Paul Portelli, Lee-n Abela, Jimmy Grima, Marta Vella, Simon Bartolo and Simone Spiteri. The strategy will be presented for public consultation in due course. 

One of the most stimulating projects currently in the works for Teatru Malta is the European Theatre Convention (ETC) conference which Teatru Malta will be hosting this October with the support of Arts Council Malta, Teatru Manoel and Spazju Kreattiv. The conference programme will also include a curated showcase by local artists, including touring production Nassaba: Song of a Bird by Jimmy Grima, which will also be open to the public and will be taking place on the 30th of October at the Catholic Institute of Floriana.   

Other stand-out productions include Il-Qfil u l-Ħelsien Skont Manwel Dimech, a site-specific music theatre performance with a story by Victor Jacono and Kris Spiteri, premiering this November at the Old Prisons in Kordin and the biographical play Drago, written by André Mangion and inspired by the life of legendary professional snooker and pool player Tony Drago.

Teatru Malta’s wardrobe is now also available for online viewing, which means that you can now view highlights from their extensive costume catalogue. All these costumes are also available for rent. Teatru Malta’s recently launched limited edition merchandise in collaboration with Souvenirs That Don’t Suck has also been launched online, with all items available for purchase through Teatru Malta’s website. 

For more information on Teatru Malta’s latest programme of events, please visit www.teatrumalta.org.mt or follow them on their Facebook and Instagram pages.