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CULTURE THEATRE maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 DECEMBER 2019 6 EVERYONE'S favourite childhood ocean tale is transforming the home of Maltese pantomime – Teatru Manoel in Valletta – into an underwater realm from 22 December 2019 until 5 Janu- ary 2020. However, in true panto style, the familiar fable will present a few un- expected twists and turns along the way. In the story, the rebellious mer- maid, Ariel, dreams of exploring the world above the surface but is forbid- den from doing so by her father, King Triton. Meanwhile, Ariel's forgetful fish friend, Doreen, drives everyone crazy – Ariel's nanny, Dame Bormal- jotta, most of all. All the while, Prince Rubino is look- ing for his missing father, King Bar- bakannella. And the evil sea witch Ursoola Min- nofs is planning to take over the un- derwater kingdom with the help of her scheming minions, Morina and Skorfina. While contemporary jokes are wo- ven into the script, panto is a style of theatre with characteristic, tra- ditional elements that the audience expects. "I'm very traditional when it comes to pantomime," explains di- rector Chris Gatt. "I like the way the various elements are stirred into this Christmas pud- ding of entertainment." Together with the well-known story, audiences will spot some fa- miliar faces too. Leading the stel- lar cast is renowned local performer Edward Mercieca, who steps into the heels of the Dame and also produces the show. "Panto is a unique genre where the actor breaks the fourth wall continu- ously," he smiles. "I think I've played all the roles except Fairy in my panto career! I find, however, that the Dame suits my personality." The Little Mermaid follows the suc- cess of FM Theatre's panto offering of Sleeping Beauty in 2018, for which glowing reviews rolled in, including: "Sleeping Beauty managed to pack a whole lot of entertainment into three hours. I actually did not want it to end." (Vanessa Macdonald, The Times of Malta) Among a chorus of sea creatures, zombie pirates and fast-footed sail- ors, the cast includes Edward Mer- cieca as the Dame, Katherine Brown as Ursoola Minnofs, Nikki Cassar as Ariel, Tezara Saliba as Prince Rubi- nu, Karen Decelis as Fairy Lou Ellen, and Joe Depasquale as King Triton. The panto also features the work of musical director Kris Spiteri, chore- ographer Luisa Fenech Conti and vo- cal coach Analise Cassar. FM Theatre's 'The Little Mermaid – A Panto Under The Sea' will be staged at Teatru Manoel, Valletta, with performances on 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2019 and 2, 3, 4 January 2020 at 8pm. There will also be matinée perfor- mances at 3pm on 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2019 and 2, 3, 4, 5 Janu- ary 2020. Tickets and more information are available at www.teatrumanoel.com. mt, by email on bookings@teatruma- noel.com.mt, or by calling 2124 6389. 'The Little Mermaid' panto to be staged in Malta for the first time This festive season, FM Theatre is bringing 'The Little Mermaid – A Panto Under The Sea' to Teatru Manoel, promising to delight adults and children alike