Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1182484
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 6 NOVEMBER 2019 CULTURE MALTA'S longest-running theatre company, the MADC, will once again stage its ever-popular pantomime this coming festive season - with panto vet- eran Alan Montanaro back with a bang and a flourish and some wildly extrava- gant outfits. Montanaro has not only penned the script for this year's offering – the fantastical Arabian Nights spectacular Aladdin – but he also returns to the stage in the show as the larger-than- life panto Dame. "We are thrilled to be welcoming Alan back to panto this year with Aladdin," says the show's director, Michael Mangion. "With his many years of panto experience and, of course, his trademark comedic flair, Alan is sure to help make Aladdin the side-splittingly funny and magical ad- venture that we've all come to expect from MADC's annual pantos." Montanaro has indeed penned a family-friendly escapade that prom- ises to take the audience on an en- chanted trip to the Orient, with light- ing, stage sets and effects sure to take the breath away. The story follows the poor young Aladdin as he goes on an intricate journey involving spirits and genies, magic rings and lamps, wishes and wonder, with, of course, plenty of exciting music, dancing, drama, and fun. Joining Montanaro on stage in the stellar production will be a cast of more than 30 actors and dancers, in- cluding Stephen Oliver, John Montan- aro, Alexander Gatesy Lewis, Jasmine Farrugia, Noel Zarb, Joseph Pavia, Karl Bartolo and Matthew Manfre. While fellow panto stalwart - and for- mer Dame - Michael Mangion will be directing, the show will be choreo- graphed by Francesco Nicodeme, with musical director Ryan Abela, and lav- ish costumes designed by Isabel War- rington. There are limited shows so book early. Tickets at only €12, €22 and €26 with reduced rates available for chil- dren aged 11 and under on the €22 and €26 tickets. Children aged 2 and under enter free with a toddler ticket. Visit www.madc.com.mt to book your fam- ily's tickets today, to join in the magic and wonder of MADC's Aladdin! MADC's Aladdin will be performed at MFCC, Ta' Qali on 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2019 and 3, 4 January 2020 at 7.30pm, with matinee perfor- mances at 3pm on 26, 28, 29 Decem- ber 2019 and 4 January 2020. Tickets and further information are available online at www.madc.com.mt. Panto veteran Alan Montanaro is back, in MADC's Aladdin THIS Friday, as night falls and the daily hustle and bustle starts dying out, Heritage Malta is inviting the public to a singular event during which participants will explore the megalithic Tarxien Temples under torch light. The Tarxien Temples complex saw its ori- gins in prehistory, with parts of the site be- ing repurposed during the Bronze Age and the Roman period, and finally ending up as a field before its discovery at the start of the 20th century. Participants need to bring their own LED torchlight to highlight the most interest- ing features during a curator's guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site after regular office hours. They will hear about the original excavations and the finds Temi Zammit uncovered in this complex. Coffee, tea and cakes will be served after- wards. The estimated duration of the event is of two hours. Price is €12 adults and €10 for Heritage Malta members, on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available from Heritage Malta museums, sites and online. The tour starts at 6pm. Torchlight tour at the Tarxien Temples