maltatoday | SUNDAY • 31 DECEMBER 2023
5
THEATRE
MADC marks Manoel return with
a panto Christmas cracker
THE curtain rose on MADC's
Beauty and the Beast on Friday,
marking the eagerly awaited re-
turn of the MADC Christmas
pantomime to Teatru Manoel
for the first time since 2007.
Written and directed by Chi-
ara Hyzler and starring veteran
panto dame Alan Montanaro,
Beauty and the Beast opened
to a full house, continuing
MADC's decades-long tradi-
tion of staging spectacular Eng-
lish-language festive pantos in
Malta.
Joining Montanaro in the cast
is Hannah Spiteri as Belle and
Gianluca Mifsud as the Beast,
alongside a hugely talented
ensemble of other well-known
panto performers, including
Jasmine Farrugia, Francesco
Nicodeme, Maria Buckle and
Rambert Attard.
Yet more top names also fea-
ture with Hyzler in the show's
creative team: musical direc-
tor Kris Spiteri, choreographer
Francesco Nicodeme, set de-
signer Matthew Cassar, cos-
tume designer Denise Mulhol-
land and vocal coach Analise
Cassar.
Together, they tell the spell-
binding fairytale – as ever, with
a festive panto twist – of the
beautiful Belle and her delight-
ful Nanny, as they set out to
find Belle's missing father.
Very few tickets remain for
this popular panto, which runs
only until 7 January. Book your
tickets today to a matinee or
evening performance at www.
teatrumanoel.mt – and take
your family and friends on a
magical adventure at Teatru
Manoel this Christmas.
MADC's pantomime Beau-
ty and the Beast continues at
Teatru Manoel, Valletta, un-
til 7 January 2024. Booking is
open at www.teatrumanoel.
mt. A 10% discount applies for
all tickets for performances on
Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4
January 2024. This production
is supported by Benna, Dee
Spas and Welbee's. Suitable for
audiences aged 3 and over.
Above and below: MADC'S Beauty and the Beast by Justin Mamo
