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15 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 18 DECEMBER 2019 LISTINGS WHAT'S ON Theatre 26 DECEMBER Comedy Knights 007: Licence to Laugh Every year, the Teatru Sales- jan in Sliema hosts what has become for many, a must-see Christmas tradition: The Com- edy Knights' annual Christmas show. It is a satirical sketch show that somehow manages to walk the line between silly and biting, while, at the same time, constantly being the funniest show on the island. This year's show is Comedy Knights 007: Licence to Laugh. The title of the show reflects the number of years the Comedy Knights have been producing this an- nual sketch show. It promises to be always original, always topi- cal, always on point and per- haps most importantly, always hilarious. The cast features some of Malta's strongest comedy per- formers, as well as characters that have managed to enter lo- cal popular culture. Audience favourites such as the Bormla Babes, The First Lady and the Sliema Girls, are certain to make an appearance, while a vast selection of other sketches inspired by Maltese society and way of life will complete the show. Tickets are available from www.ticketline.com.mt and are on sale now. No extra shows are planned 23 DEC - 4 JANUARY MADC's Aladdin Malta's longest-running thea- tre company, the MADC, will once again stage its ever-popu- lar pantomime this coming fes- tive season with panto veteran Alan Montanaro back with a bang and a flourish and some wildly extravagant outfits. Montanaro has not only penned the script for this year's offering – the fantastical Ara- bian Nights spectacular Alad- din – but he also returns to the stage in the show as the larger- than-life panto Dame. There are limited shows so book early. MADC's Aladdin will be per- formed 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 December 2019 and 4 January 2020. Tickets and further infor- mation are available online at www.madc.com.mt. 22 DEC - 5 JANUARY FM Theatre's The Little Mermaid Everyone's favourite child- hood ocean tale is transform- ing the home of Maltese pan- tomime – Teatru Manoel in Valletta – into an underwater realm. The Little Mermaid follows the success of FM Theatre's panto offering of Sleeping Beauty in 2018, for which glow- ing reviews rolled in, including: "Sleeping Beauty managed to pack a whole lot of entertain- ment into three hours. FM The- atre's 'The Little Mermaid – A Panto Under The Sea' will be staged at Teatru Manoel, Val- letta, with performances on 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2019 and 2, 3, 4 January 2020 at 8pm. There will also be mati- née performances at 3pm on 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 December 2019 and 2, 3, 4, 5 January 2020. Tickets and more information are available at www.teatruma- noel.com.mt, by email on book- ings@teatrumanoel.com.mt, or by calling 2124 6389. 20 DECEMBER Opera at Christmas Time Operatic arias and Christ- mas carols will be the highlight of the concert to be held at St. Augustine Priory in Valletta. Barocco Foundation is proud to present Soprano Dorothy Bezzina and Tenor Alan Sciber- ras in its Opera at Christmas Time on Friday 20th December 2019 at 8:00pm. This magical event will enthral all opera lov- ers as the programme includes some of the world's most loved operatic arias and Italian melo- dious songs by Giacomo Puc- cini, Strauss and De Curtis. The fabulous repertoire in- cludes splendid excerpts from Puccini's La Boheme and Tosca as well as songs by Strauss and the nostalgic songs by Ed- uardo di Capua, namely 'Non ti Scordar di Me' and 'O Sole Mio'. Tickets may be obtained from the venue itself half an hour before the concert com- mences or by sending an email. For more details please call 7968 0952 or email barocco- malta@gmail.com. Proceeds from the event will go to the restoration project of the Augustinian Monastery. Music TODAY Christmas with Wayne Marshall and The New Choral Singers Join The New Choral Singers in a feast of Christmas music as they present their annual sea- sonal concert entitled "Musical Tidings" on Wednesday 18 De- cember 2019 at St. Paul's Pro- Cathedral, Valletta and Friday 20 December 2019 at the Jesu- its' Church, Merchant Street, Valletta. Under the direction of Mauro Farrugia, the choir will be accompanied on the or- gan by world-acclaimed BBC Proms virtuoso organist and conductor, Wayne Marshall, who is currently chief conduc- tor of WDR Funkhausorchester Cologne and Organist and As- sociate artist of the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. The choir will also be joined for the even- ing by Marouska Attard, guest soprano. As in previous years, the audience will enjoy Wayne Marshall's skills on the organ and in the spirit of Christmas, the audience will be invited to join the choir in song for some traditional favourites. Entrance is free of charge and no reservation is required. However, a retiring collection will be held at the end of both performances. Both concerts start at 7.30pm though it is rec- ommended to arrive early to se- cure a seat. 27 DECEMBER The SCJ Children's Choir in concert In 2017, Schola Cantorum Jubilate, established the SCJ Children's Choir with the aim of musically educating young music aspirants in a profession- al way while exposing them to the beauty of the choral world. In fact, these young choristers apart from learning new pieces, learn music theory, voice tech- nique and sight singing. Carols in the Cathedral is their next appointment with the audience. They have been preparing since November various Christmas pieces that will be performed during this Christmastide con- cert, on Friday 27 December at 7pm at the Gozo Cathedral that lies in the heart of the Citadel, undoubtedly a prominent his- torical site. Everyone is invited for the concert and entrance is free. Other 24 DECEMBER TO 4 JANUARY Christmas at Esplora Santa's workshop at Esplora is buzzing with activity. Elf chem- ists, programmers and engi- neers are hard at work prepar- ing for his journey around the world. Join us for a Christmas with a difference and partici- pate in our elf-led workshops and science shows. Discover how Sphero robots can be used to power Santa's sleigh to de- liver presents around Malta and Gozo. Unleash your inner artist and learn about chemistry as you design and make Christmas tree ornaments. Experiment with light, colours and shad- ows, and get creative as you construct Christmas tree orna- ments and a Christmas village from cardboard. Santa's work- shop is on 24, 26-29, 31 Decem- ber and 2-5 January. Activties start from 10am and go on un- til 6pm. For more information please visit http://esplora.org. mt/christmas-at-esplora-2/. Opera at Christmas Time The SCJ Children's Choir in concert