Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1499757
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 MAY 2023 5 THEATRE Ellie, il-Musical: A groovy trip back in time at Teatru Manoel The future looks bright for four ambitious teens in the 1960s and 70s, in the new bilingual jukebox musical Ellie, il-Musical, set to premiere at Teatru Manoel this summer. Laura Bonnici chats with the show's creative producer ANTOINE FARRUGIA to find out more "ALL you need is love: the rest will come," answers Antoine Farrugia, when asked about his all-new show Ellie, il-Musical, which is soon set to take Teatru Manoel by a flower-powered storm. Indeed, his choice of words ech- oes the lyrics of one of the most well-loved songs of the 1960s and 70s, when the story of the jukebox musical takes place. "I'm a nostalgic person, especial- ly about that era – I was born in 1973 and turn 50 in a matter of weeks!" he says. "I can still hear the sounds, recall the smells and remember the magic of the 70s in Malta – and of course, the music." While the 1960s and 70s left an indelible mark on both the global and local cultural scene, this gold- en age's vast catalogue of music remains truly iconic – and chan- nelling this timeless popularity, Ellie, il-Musical includes a rep- ertoire full of classic songs of the day. What's more, some of Malta's finest performers will interpret them, including Jeremy Grech, Clare Agius, Alex Portelli, Pat- rick Vella, Mariah Mangion and Eliza Aquilina, directed by Josette Ciappara and choreographed by Warren Bonello, with vocal coaching from Sean Borg and mu- sical direction by Elton Zarb. "In Malta, we have a very bright future with the excellent talent we have," Farrugia points out. "In El- lie, il-Musical we have both new and established artists, and I can already feel the energy during re- hearsals." The light-hearted, funny and re- latable story follows four friends and aspiring singers in Malta in the late 1960s, who compete against each other in an annual music event at the Yellow Music Club. The Club's owners suggest they form a group of their own – yet two of the friends, Kate and Ellie, may not stay in Malta much longer, if their auditions to con- tinue their musical studies abroad succeed. Meanwhile, the Club's co-owner contacts an old flame in Liverpool to ask for her help, much to his wife's annoyance, while Ellie's parents can't seem to agree on anything. Can everyone finally accept that all they need is love? "Around 2019, I heard retro music everywhere I went – and Malta was experiencing another social revolution of its own," ex- plains Farrugia on his inspiration for Ellie, il-Musical, which led him to contact writer Simon Bartolo to develop the idea further. Follow- ing the COVID-19 pandemic in the interim, at last Ellie, il-Musical will premiere at Teatru Manoel at the end of June. "From the beginning, I had Si- mon in mind for the project," he recalls. "He really went for it. Originally I had asked him to write and direct, but since he was due to leave the island, Josette was the natural choice. First and fore- most, she experienced that time as a youngster, both in her personal life and on stage." And staging the premiere of an original musical about people in Malta, performed in both Maltese and English, on Malta's histor- ic national theatre stage, brings its own source of pride, Farrugia smiles. "Working at the national theatre is a dream that all actors and production members never refuse," he says. "I cannot hide my love for Teatru Manoel – and in the past I've refused important roles just because a production was not taking place there!" In fact, to set the scene for the groovy premiere of Ellie, il-Mu- sical on Friday 30 June, the audi- ence are invited to attend dressed in the style of the 1960s and 70s – an experience that Farrugia hopes will create happy memories for both the young and the young at heart. "Ellie, il-Musical brings together various generations to experience life in Malta during a different time. We want the audi- ence to feel as though they are in a club, grooving and singing along to retro hits and classic songs of a bygone age!" Performances of Ellie, il-Musical will take place at Teatru Manoel at 8.30pm on Friday 30 June and on 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 July 2023. This production is suitable for audienc- es aged six and above. Tickets and more information are available via www.teatrumanoel.mt or by email to bookings@teatrumanoel. mt and telephone on (+356) 2124 6389.