Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1135150
CULTURE maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 26 JUNE 2019 12 A captivating holographic music-the- atre performance, set entirely to music blending Renaissance madrigals and contemporary vocal music, will soon wow at the upcoming Malta Interna- tional Arts Festival (MIAF). For one-night-only during the Fes- tival, UK-based company ERRATICA will present the innovative Toujours et Près de Moi?, which uses a 19th century theatrical illusion known as a Pepper's Ghost. In this illusion, ghost- ly objects appear to fade in or out of existence on the stage. "I had been working with small-scale Pepper's Ghost illusions for a while, and I wanted to make a piece that fea- tured both holograms and humans interacting with them," explains the production's director and ERRATICA Artistic Director, Patrick Eakin Young. "The subject matter was suggested by the form: holograms are like ghosts, and ghosts are about the past haunt- ing the present, so I wanted to make a piece about two people whose past is made manifest in front of them." The piece is designed to be per- formed with five unaccompanied clas- sical singers who enhance the on-stage action with a score of Renaissance madrigals and contemporary vocals. "When I was creating this piece, I specifically wanted to work with the amazing vocal ensemble EXAUDI (who are performing with us in Malta), and this is their repertoire," continues Patrick. "This piece was created like an opera or dance piece, with the perfor- mance growing out of the drama of the music itself." As the five singers perform this unique music a cappella, two actors move around a table that show pro- jected holograms of their past selves – which the actors themselves can- not see, and yet perform alongside in a complex choreography that tells a moving story, as Patrick explains. "It's about a couple who are magically able to look back at their relationship – they experience the pain and trauma from their past all over again, but are able, in the end, to find some kind of reconciliation because of it. Sadness, trauma, loss – these experiences never truly leave us but, in facing them, we can find a way to connect and con- tinue." First performed at The Print Room, London, in May 2012, Toujours Et Prés De Moi? was shown at the Spi- talfields Winter Festival 2012 before being revived at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The production now joins the diverse programme of the 14th edition of the MIAF, which this year will take place between 28 June and 14 July. Toujours et Près de Moi? will be per- formed by ERRATICA at 9pm on Fri- day 5 July, at Valletta Campus Thea- tre (ex MITP), St Paul Street, Valletta. Tickets are now available. To view the full programme of the Malta Interna- tional Arts Festival 2019, please visit www.festivals.mt/miaf or www.face- book.com/MaltaArtsFestival/ Holographic opera to captivate audiences at Arts Festival London-based company ERRATICA presents Toujours et Près de Moi? at the Malta International Arts Festival The performance uses a 19th century theatrical illusion known as a Pepper's Ghost • Photo by Richard Hubert Smith HERITAGE Malta is inviting the public to an adventurous evening at Għar Dalam which will include a guided tour of the oldest prehis- toric site in Malta and a visit to Ta' Kaċċatura where one finds a Roman villa and cistern, a number of cart ruts and tombs all set in a very tran- quil environment. Following this tour, the partici- pants will be able to enjoy Maltese food including rabbit pies which on this eve were traditionally eat- en at Buskett Gardens in Rabat, where many Maltese congregate to celebrate the feast of Saint Pe- ter and St Paul, known as Mnarja. Participants can then opt to sleep on site either under the stars or in- side the museum. In the morning, a light breakfast will be served. This activity is suitable for all the family and is an ideal way to end a week in total relaxation in the cool natural ambience of the intriguing environs while socialis- ing and making new friends. Those taking part are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a sleeping bag, blanket or a small tent with them. The event will kick off at 6.30pm on Friday and is expected to end on Saturday morning at 8am. Price is set at €25 for adults, €20 senior citizens and students, and €15 for Heritage Malta members and children. Tickets are available from all Heritage Malta museums and sites, and online. For more information, visit www.heritagemalta.org A touch of adventure over the weekend