Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1101649
18 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 APRIL 2019 CULTURE NNG Promotions have announced a special one-man speaking show by Iron Maiden singer, Bruce Dickinson in Malta on Saturday June 8 at the Sir Temi Zammit Hall, University Of Malta, Tal-Qroqq, Msida. Bruce Dickinson is considered one of the world's most storied musicians. Aside from decades spent delivering high-octane perfor- mances with his larger-than-life persona in Iron Maiden, Bruce has lived an extraordinary off- stage existence too. A true polymath, Bruce is, or has been, an airline pilot and captain, an aviation entrepre- neur, a beer brewer, motivational speaker, film scriptwriter, twice-published novelist and best- selling author, radio presenter, TV actor and in- ternational fencer. The 2017 publication of his Sunday Times No.1 Best-Selling autobiography What Does is Button Do? saw Bruce promoting the book by undertaking a small number of readings and Q&A in theatres around the UK. What Does is Button Do? - An Evening With Bruce Dickinson has since evolved into a full-blown one-man show, more akin to a stand-up comedian's routine, lasting well over two hours and touring the globe to unanimous critical acclaim, including a sold-out perfor- mance last summer at the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Split into two parts, the first half of the show sees Bruce taking a humorous, often satirical look back at his colourful, roller-coaster life. Delivering compelling tales in his uniquely an- archic style and punctuated with photographs, he recounts anecdotes from the book, includ- ing numerous risqué stories which never quite made it to the final edit. The second half of the evening is devoted entirely to a Q&A session, where fans' quirky, frank and often completely leftfield questions are tackled with great aplomb; Bruce's respons- es invariably being quick-witted, completely improvised, and consistently funny, all of which makes for a highly entertaining and enjoyable night out. Tickets go on sale on Monday 8th April 2019 from www.showshappening.com An evening with Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson THE story-line is known by almost everyone. A seeming- ly virtuous man became very popular in his time as some recounted that he performed miracles. He was deemed subversive and dangerous by the politi- cal/religious elite and was con- demned to death. He is report- ed to have said that he would conquer death. His words and deeds still resonate today. But DWAL ĠODDA theatre group tackles the plot of this story from different perspec- tives in their yearly two-act production in combination with the traditional Good Fri- day procession at Gharghur, which is held on Palm Sunday – next Sunday. e theme chosen for 2019 is human nakedness. is is con- trasted with that of the Naza- rene when crucified. In this scenario a fundamen- tal question emerges: If Jesus claimed that he is the Son of God, was it God that was cru- cified naked? At 5pm, during the first act, the Nazarene's words and deeds are contrasted with hu- manities frailties. Notwith- standing the technological 'miracles' of our times, 'Ho- sana' and 'Crucify him' are still mirrored in man's inhumanity to man, as crucifixions are still carried out. The Good Friday traditional procession leads to the second act. At sunset, as the statues are nearing the stage on the church parvis, a theatrical discussion ensues between traditional characters (Mary Magdalene, Judas, Simon from Cirene) and the chorus representing 21th century mankind. Is human nakedness being rendered vulgar as Jesus trans- formed it into beauty through his crucificion? As we are still crucifying our- selves and others, the audience can decide if His crucifixion is still occurring as a mirror-im- age and whether Christ's rise from the dead is just a fairy- tale. Parts of the performance- text are in English for empha- sis, and so that tourists and non-Maltese spectators can partake. DWAL ĠODDA will give two performances of Al- la Mneżża at Spazju Teatrali (close to the Gharghur parish church), on Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th at 7.30pm, for the benefit of those who like to better savour the production by experiencing it twice. En- trance is free. On Palm Sunday, a 'park and ride' shuttle system will be op- erating with the collaboration of the Gharghur Local Coun- cil, from the near the old Trade Fair grounds in Naxxar, to Gharghur and back, between 4.30pm and 10.30pm. DWAL ĠODDA is a com- munity-based theatre group drawing its inspiration from its grass-roots, tackling canonical texts, but also devising its own productions, as an outreach to those who do not feel at ease in an established-theatre am- bience. Alla Mneżża at Gharghur on Palm Sunday Bruce Dickinson is considered one of the world's most storied musicians