Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1000343
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 1 JULY 2018 11 CULTURE ENVIRONMENT FINALLY! Seven finches can sing again without be- ing punished for it with life in prison – that's the stern and unequivocal order handed down to Malta by the Eu- ropean Court of Justice some days ago. The Euro- pean Commission had taken Malta to court over the opening of finch- trapping seasons in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 in clear breach of EU law. Against a moun- tain of warped facts and dubious reports, BirdLife Malta compiled and presented all the evidence need- ed to prove that trappers were netting finches with virtual impunity. After years and many thousand wasted finches, the evidence filtered through, and science – and decency – prevailed. Clapnets (the method most Maltese trappers use) are being outlawed across Europe, which alone should spell curtains for bird-trapping in Malta. The seven finch species in question are chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, hawfinch, linnet, serin and siskin but the demise of the clapnet will benefit a much wider biodiversity, not least the flora and fauna that are regularly uprooted, burned and poisoned to make way for the infernal trapping sites. 616. SONGBIRD SUCCESS Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 518: Find out more http://www.foemalta.org/plasticfreepledge Text Victor Falzon Photo Aron Tant BI PRODUZZJONI TA' SEAN BUHAGIAR MUSICAL ORIĠINALI MINN DAWK LI ĠABULKOM BALZUNET TA TOWERS IMNEBBAĦ MINN STEJJER VERA biljetti minn ilhanina.com jew 23397000 Audiences favourites line up for Il-Hanina Maddalena The new Maltese musical expected to be this summer's sell-out event ILĦANINA Maddalena is the new musical by esteemed maes- tro Dominic Galea, penned by Simon Bartolo with Lyrics by Lo- ranne Vella. Yes, those two; the same Simon Bartolo and Loranne Vella of the best selling novels It-Triloġija tal-Fiddien. That ex- plains only part of the excitement surrounding this production. Dominic Galea returns after last year's success with Balzunetta Towers, which was the most at- tended event at the Malta Arts Festival, enjoying sold-out nights and lots of accolades. The music of Il-Ħanina Maddalena is as epic as the story. In fact, it tackles the story of one of our history's best hidden secrets, the story of the Magdalene sisters in Valletta. The musical is set in the 18th century and follows the story of three "verginelle" who join the monastery of St Maria Maddale- na. Today we are left with a tiny graceful chapel tucked away in Merchant Street to remind us of this outstanding Order. As it happens, historians have recently admired the power of this Order during its glory days, and Simon Bartolo's story fictionalises all the forgotten romances, conflicts and escapades behind the veils. That is until Napolean Bonaparte came and took the Order apart. The musical sees the return of Malta's most beloved angel. This time she is wearing a habit. In fact Chiara will be playing one of the lead roles, that of Il-Madre. She is joined by our much loved pop star, Amber, who promises to be in her best form as the hair-rais- ing Serafina; an occultist turned nun. Caterina Vitale, a mean mother who wants her ways, will have the distinctive high-sound- ing voice of Leontine whilst the multi-talented Dorothy Bezzina will be Teresa Morales, a heart- warming prostitute who wants the best for her daughter. Many other theatre heavy- weights and talented new-com- ers will be joining the grandest monastery this summer. The likes of Samaria Bezzina, Ishmael Grech, Jesmond Tedesco Tric- cas, Dominic Cini, Alexander Gatesy Lewis, Rachel Tedesco Triccas, Karl Cassar, Rachel Vel- la, Christine Francalanza, Gil- bert Formosa, Marceline Galea and the young Haley Azzopardi complete the cast along with an ensemble made up of some of the best actors on the island such as Andre Mangion and Jamie Cardona amongst others. The show is directed by Thea- tre stalwart Josette Ciappara and promises to be a spectacle not to be missed. The musical will premiere on 18 July outdoors at Pjazza Teatru Rjal. More shows will follow on 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 July. Those buying tickets during June will enjoy a €5 reduction. Tickets can be found from www.ilhanina.com and more in- formation from 2339 7000.