Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1428470
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 14 NOVEMBER 2021 5 THEATRE New play 'L-Aħħar Siġra' informs young viewers about Malta's environmental crisis The original theatrical piece will be opening the ŻiguŻajg Festival for Children and Young People ĦASSLE Mejjet Theatre Collec- tive and Just Another Collective in collaboration with Studio 18 are putting up a new theatrical work for young people titled 'L-Aħħar Siġra' at this year's ŻiguŻajg Festival. Set in a semi-dystopian Mal- ta where trees have become extinct, L-Aħħar Siġra fol- lows the story of two unlikely friends, Jamie and Alda. Jamie is an 8-year old girl with a thirst for adventure, while Alda is a clueless carob tree in des- perate need of some company. The play's subject matter is intended to inform young au- diences about the consequenc- es a country can face if it does not prioritise its natural envi- ronment. Co-written by Benjamin Ab- ela and Steffie Weenink and co-directed by Benjamin Abela and Brendon Thearle, 'L-Aħħar Siġra' is aimed towards audi- ences aged between eight and ten years old, however the per- formance can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The play features newcomer Alessia Buontempo in the lead role of Jamie. Alessia is accom- panied by a further five cast members: Kristina Catania, Clint Chircop, Mark Cian- tar, Myron Ellul, and Daniela Grech. 'L-Aħħar Siġra' will be taking place at Spazju Kreattiv's (ex- St James Cavalier) theatre in Valletta and will be performed in Maltese. The performance is set to last one hour in total. Patrons are encouraged to be at their seats at least 15 minutes before the show's start time. Tickets for the performance can be purchased by visiting ziguzajg.org. The first performance of 'L-Aħħar Siġra' will open the ŻiguŻajg Festival for Children and Young People and will take place on Friday 19th Novem- ber at 12:30pm. For a full list of shows, kindly visit ziguzajg. org/l-ahhar-sigra-2/. Formed in late 2017, opening its doors in 2018, Ħassle Mejj- et Theatre Collective (in short, Ħassle Mejjet) was formed to devise and create theatrical productions to life by up-and- coming theatre novices, both original and devised content as well as previously written work by some well-known play- wrights. Founded in 2018 by Nikki De- majo Albanese, Steffie Ween- ink, and Robyn Vella, Just An- other Collective is dedicated to the creation of honest and powerful theatre. The collec- tive works with up and coming, local theatre artists, and aims at giving a platform to those who want to tell their story. COVID-19 guidelines All ticket holders above the age of 12 need to present a vaccination certificate togeth- er with an ID card. Children under the age of 12 years need not have a test result so long as they are accompanied by a par- ent/guardian who is in posses- sion of a valid COVID-19 vac- cine certificate. Pregnant persons need to present a certificate from a medical practitioner and a neg- ative rapid test done 24 hours before the event or a negative PCR test done within 72 hours from the start of the event. All patrons should be wearing a mask throughout the per- formance/activity. Organisers shall have the right of refusal of entry if a patron if visibly un- well. Entrance to all venues is subject to temperature checks. Any person registering a higher temperature then 37.2 degrees Celsius will be denied access. To ensure the safest environ- ment for our young audiences Fondazzjoni Kreattivita' does not allow children to be left unattended during any per- formance or activity. Guard- ians should always be present before, during and after an event.