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C13 CHRISTMAS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 9 DECEMBER 2018 For many families in Malta, Christmas just isn't Christmas without gathering the kids and the grown-ups together and heading to Teatru Manoel to enjoy a traditional pantomime. This year at Malta's national theatre, panto-lovers are in for a magical treat as FM Theatre Productions is back with the wonderful tale of Sleeping Beauty. Here's 10 reasons why we love the Christmas panto at the Manoel Theatre 10 reasons FM Theatre Productions is staging Sleeping Beauty at the Teatru Manoel, Valletta, with performances at 3pm and 8pm on 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December and 2, 3, 5 January, at 8pm only on 4 January, and at 3pm only on 6 January. Tickets are priced from €20 and are available from www. teatrumanoel.com.mt. For many families in Malta, Christmas just isn't Christmas without gathering the kids and the grown-ups together and heading to Teatru Manoel to enjoy a traditional pantomime. This year at Malta's national theatre, panto-lovers are in for a magical treat as FM Theatre Productions is back with the wonderful tale of Sleeping Beauty. Here's 10 reasons why we love the Christmas panto at the we love the Manoel Theatre Panto SHOWS AT 3PM AND 8PM DEC 2018 - 23/26/27/28/29/30 • JAN 2019 - 2/3/4/5/6 TICKETS FROM - WWW.TEATRUMANOEL.COM.MT OR 2124 6389 OR BOOKINGS@TEATRUMANOEL.COM.MT WRITTEN BY EDWARD MERCIECA • DIRECTED BY CHRISTOPHER GATT FM THEATRE PRODUCTIONS PROUDLY PRESENTS 1. A classic story, retold In this rip-roaring panto fairy-tale, the beautiful Princess Aurora is cursed as a baby by the evil Fairy, Maleficent. Join the adventures of Prince Charming and a whole cast of colourful characters, as they fight Maleficent to break her evil spell once and for all. 2. A historic theatre There's nowhere more enchanting to watch a magical fairy-tale brought to life than in one of Europe's oldest and most beautiful theatres. What's more, the theatre's intimate layout is ideal for audience participation… it's behind you! 3. A larger-than-life dame Every traditional pantomime must have a Dame – and who better than panto veteran Edward Mercieca, who returns for Sleeping Beauty as Dame Nanna Kola. 4. A dastardly villain The brilliant Tezara Camilleri will be the incomparably evil Maleficent, ar- guably the best and most memorable panto villain that ever was. 5. A hilarious clown Alongside the Panto Dame there must always be a hilarious sidekick, and in Sleeping Beauty another panto stalwart, Chiara Hyzler, will dish out extra laugh-out-loud slapstick as the adorable Muddles. 6. A beautiful princess and handsome prince No classic tale of good versus evil is complete without a beautiful Prin- cess, played by Raquel Theuma, and a dashing Prince Charming, played by Gianni Selvaggi. 7. A fantastic cast Supporting the action-packed adven- ture will be a wonderfully talented cast of Fairies, Henches, Kings and Queens played by Rambert Attard, Analise Cassar, Antonella Mifsud, Nicole Cas- sar & Maria Cassar amongst others. 8. A top production company As well as producing numerous pan- tos over previous years, FM Theatre Productions is the same company behind this year's sell-out successes of My Fair Lady and Mamma Mia. What's more, top local director Chris Gatt and musical director Kris Spiteri are also on board for Sleeping Beauty. 9. A top-class panto spectacular Today's best pantos always include superb production values, breath- taking singing and dancing, colour- ful costumes, spectacular sets and innovative special effects. Here again Sleeping Beauty won't disappoint, in a very exciting, fast-paced, all-singing- all-dancing, comedic spectacular for audiences young and old! 10. Family-friendly performances With a whopping 20 performances to choose from between 23 December and 6 January, and shows at both 3pm and 8pm on most days, you and your family are sure to find a showtime to suit your busy festive schedule! With tickets starting at just €20, not to men- tion an early bird 10% discount for bookings made before 30 November, the whole family can enjoy the won- der of Sleeping Beauty this Christmas.