Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1012451
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 8 AUGUST 2018 14 A new open-air reworking of Giuseppe Verdi's much-loved classic opera Aida will be staged in September in Valletta's Pjaz- za Teatru Rjal as part of Valletta 2018, as well as in the Nether- lands through Valletta's partner European Capital of Culture city Leeuwarden-Fryslân. Depicting the story of the Princess Aida and her lover Radames, the military com- mander of her enemy, this contemporary production of Aida by acclaimed Dutch com- pany Opera Spanga is directed by Corina Van Eijk and will be accompanied by the Malta Phil- harmonic Orchestra in Malta and Filharmonie Noord in the Netherlands. Featuring a highly-experi- enced international cast, in- cluding Maltese and Dutch per- formers, the production offers a new approach to opera, utilising multimedia, pushing bounda- ries, and focusing on the realism and emotions behind the story itself. "I chose this opera for the mu- sic, which is hugely meaningful, beautiful and moving," says Van Eijk. "Whilst Aida has always been performed with big ges- tures, the only real grand scene within it is the triumphal march, with many more intimate, tre- mendously beautiful love scenes in the piece. We wanted this production to transmit these re- al emotions in the story through the music, and have worked hard to develop a natural way of acting whilst singing operati- cally." The story and themes ex- plored in Aida also remain topi- cal and relevant today, despite the opera being written in the 19th century. "This magnificent opera depicts issues that we still face in the world, such as politi- cal challenges, conflict between the state and church, shame, loyalty, and the nature of love, war, peace and forgiveness," continues Van Eijk. These identical performances will be staged in Valletta and in the Dutch countryside where Opera Spanga is based. Stu- dents from MCAST in Malta and D'Drive in Leeuwarden have been offered opportunities to contribute to the production, either in costume design under the inspirational guidance of renowned designers Charles & Ron, or in the fields of produc- tion design and film production. Giuseppe Verdi's Aida will be performed by Opera Spanga at Pjazza Teatru Rjal in Valletta on 13th and 15th September 2018. Further information and tick- ets are available online at www. pjazzateatrurjal.com. CULTURE At long last, 'Stitching' to be staged in Malta by Unifaun Theatre Company ANTHONY Neilson's globally- renowned play 'Stitching' is at last to be staged in Malta, at the Teatru Manoel Studio Theatre, following almost a decade of le- gal wrangling. The controversial play follows a couple who pick apart their re- lationship, stitch by stitch, when they discover they are expect- ing a child. Whilst their journey is brutal, dark and savage, the play's intimacy and tenderness has maintained its popularity for audiences worldwide. Although 'Stitching' has been performed from New York to Turkey, this did not prevent it from being banned in Malta by the local authorities in 2009, which cited the play's dark themes and references as un- suitable for the Maltese public. A decade-long series of Malta- based and European court ap- peals against the censorship fol- lowed, led by producer Adrian Buckle of Unifaun Theatre Company and supported by the play's director Christopher Gatt and actors Pia Zammit and Mikhail Basmadjian. Earlier this year their campaign was finally successful, with the news that 'Stitching' may at last be staged in Malta. "The fight was terrible – it took its toll on my health and sanity," explains Buckle. "It's a relief that we finally get to stage it and that this whole saga is over." Now that 'Stitching' has per- mission to be staged, Buckle feels that producing it is still impor- tant for local audiences, almost 10 years later. "I still believe in the play. Not only is it a good play, but also staging it now is a statement in favour of theatre and the arts over censorship and oppression. It has themes that are relevant to our society too – it's a play about loss and about dealing with loss, and not neces- sarily coping with that loss." "A play about relationships is always relevant," agrees direc- tor Christopher Gatt. "How far are you willing to go if you love someone and want to save them from themselves and others? This is the theme of this dark, fearless, savage but also tender and funny play. Over an intense 80 minutes, Neilson takes au- diences on a journey into love, compatibility and psychosis. We share the doubts and fears of a couple which is possibly about to start a family and the conse- quences of the decision taken. Finally, audiences in Malta can make up their own minds wheth- er this play, and all its themes and ideas, are suitable for themselves to experience." Unifaun Theatre Company Supported by Times Events will be producing six performances of 'Stitching' at the Teatru Ma- noel Studio Theatre on 14th, 15th, 16th, 19th, 21st and 23rd September 2018, featuring the original cast of Pia Zammit and Mikhail Basmadjian, with direc- tion by Christopher Gatt. Tickets are priced at €20 and are available via the Teatru Manoel website at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt New open-air oroduction of Giuseppe Verdi's Aida to be staged in Malta and the Netherlands The controversial play, following a 10-year legal struggle, is finally to be staged for audiences in Malta A hard-hitting original new play that focuses on Malta's continuing construction and development has launched a crowdfunding campaign on local platform ZAAR. Penned by local female playwright Clare Azzopardi, 'Tebut Isfar' is a Maltese lan- guage play that addresses the ever-relevant issue of devel- opment in Malta by telling the story of Ġorġ, who owns a small coffin shop in Valletta and is dealing with a develop- er who wants to buy the shop to build a boutique hotel. Since Maltese language plays in print remain a rarity, Azzo- pardi and Adrian Buckle of Unifaun Theatre Productions decided to turn to crowdfund- ing in order for 'Tebut Isfar' to be published and locally staged. "We launched this ZAAR crowdfunding campaign to create a memorable perfor- mance written by a Maltese female playwright for the Maltese public, and to have the script published," explains Buckle. "Very few scripts in the Maltese language are published, so we are seeking to address this void through crowdfunding. Supporting this project would mean sup- porting quality theatre in Malta, as well as endorsing theatre in Maltese." Although the majority of funds raised will go towards the production costs of pub- lishing the script, funding will also enable the staging of the play later this year. Produced by Unifaun Theatre Produc- tions as part of their 2018/9 Season, the performances of 'Tebut Isfar' will be directed by Marcelle Teuma, and will feature an impressive local cast including Peter Galea, Leigh Ann Abela, Mariele Zammit and Anthony Ellul. Supporters of the campaign can also expect to receive one of a series of rewards propor- tionate to the amount they have donated, from being added to the show's mailing list and receiving an acknowl- edgement in the programme, to receiving a copy of the script once published, drinks with the cast, and complimen- tary VIP tickets to the shows. Visitors are invited to see www.zaar.com.mt/projects/ tebutisfar/ to make a dona- tion or for further informa- tion about the performances of 'Tebut Isfar', which will take place at VCT (ex MITP) in Valletta at 8pm over the weekends between 13th and 28th October 2018. The project is endorsed by Malta Arts Fund. New Maltese play addressing construction and development launches crowdfunding campaign