Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1159832
MASQUERADE Malta re- cently announced that it has secured the professional rights to the multi-award-winning production, Matilda The Mu- sical – and the hunt for the lo- cal cast is already underway. The upcoming auditions for the show aim to cast local tal- ent in nearly every role in the smash-hit musical, including the title role of Matilda her- self. "We can't wait to share Ma- tilda The Musical with local audiences, and we will be casting the show using the best of Malta's performance talent," says Masquerade's artistic director Anthony Bezzina. "Throughout my career, I have never experienced the magnitude of a reaction as we have received for this mu- sical, so we are treating these auditions very seriously." Adapted from the incom- parable children's novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda The Musical is the timeless story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid im- agination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny. The show, which was writ- ten by Dennis Kelly and fea- tures original songs by Tim Minchin, has gone on to win more than 90 international awards including 23 for Best Musical since its premiere in 2010. Matilda The Musical has al- ready earned critical acclaim through sell-out runs around the world, in London's West End and on Broadway, and on tours of Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK and Ireland – and soon it is set to add Malta to this list, with, Bezzina hopes, an equally stellar cast. "We must choose the best performers for the parts," continues Bezzina, "and that requires hard work and com- mitment even before the au- ditions, so we are organising a special workshop for all auditionees, led by a former professional performer who was in this show both in the West End and on Broadway." The workshop with Charles Brunton, who played the lead role of Miss Trunchbull in the West End and Broadway shows, will offer expert guid- ance on the auditions pro- cess, as well as acting work, the show's choreography style, and audition technique. And it's all up for grabs, as only one adult role, that of Mr Wormwood has been pre-cast. The many other adult and child roles in the show are still to be cast through the auditions, including that of Mrs Wormwood, Miss Trun- chbull, Miss Honey and Mrs Phelps, and Lavender, Alice, Hortensia, not to mention Matilda herself. Apart from bringing an open mindset as needed for the show, candidates will be selected not just for their talent, but for their energy, reliability, punctuality, dis- cipline and commitment, which are attributes all re- quired to be a part of this spectacular musical. Audition candidates will also be asked to prepare spe- cific songs according to the role preferred, as well as a monologue, and they should be ready to participate in a dance workshop. Since the children need to be good singers, it is recom- mended that they also pursue vocal training prior to the au- ditions. Auditions for the children will be held all day on both 18 and 19 September, while those for the adult roles will be held from 5pm on 19 Sep- tember. To apply, simply request a time slot and an audition pack by emailing after the 19 August, using the email address info@mas- querademalta.com. Once the cast has been es- tablished, rehearsals will then officially begin with workshops in October and November this year, before becoming more regular after Christmas and in the run-up to the performances in April 2020. Audition information and updates about the Malta pro- duction of Matilda The Mu- sical may be found online at www.masquerademalta.com maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 AUGUST 2019 7 CULTURE THEATRE Position may be co-funded through European Union Funding/Bilateral Funds SENIOR MANAGER (EU FUNDS) Applications are invited for the positions of Senior Manager (EU Funds) in the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality. Applicants for the Senior Manager (EU Funds) position must be in possession of a recognised Masters qualification at MQF Level 7 in relevant areas plus three years relevant work experience. Applications will be received at the Corporate Services Directorate, Ministry for European Affairs and Equality, 31B, Tal-Pilar, Marsamxett Road, Valletta, VLT 1850 by not later than noon of Friday 6 th September 2019. Further details may be obtained from the Government Gazette of 23 rd August 2019. Application forms may be downloaded from: https://publicservice.gov.mt/en/people/Pages/PeopleResourcingandComplian ce/FormsandTemplates.aspx Further details may be obtained from the Government Gazette of 30 th November 2018. The search is on for the cast of Matilda The Musical Auditions start soon for the Malta debut production of Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical