Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1514895
CULTURE 14 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 24 JANUARY 2024 Award-winning play The Father translated into Maltese in new production by Teatru Manoel TEATRU Manoel will be presenting Il-Missi- er, a Maltese translation of the award-winning French stage play The Father written by Florian Zeller. Featuring Mario Micallef in the lead role, and Simone Ellul as his daughter Anne, Il-Missier boasts a stellar cast and creative team in a new version translated by Alfred Palma and directed by Jacob Piccinino. From Friday 2 to Sunday 4 February 2024 Teatru Manoel invites audiences to attend il-Missier, a powerful and thought-provoking play that explores the challenges of ageing and the disorienting effects of dementia. As the lines between reality and illusion blur, the audience is taken on a rollercoaster ride of uncertainty and empathy. The Maltese translation brilliantly captures the raw emotions and complexities of the original award-winning text, immersing the audience in a deeply moving exploration of identity, family, and the fragility of the hu- man mind. "Theatre has an important role in the ex- pression of all that makes us human, our challenges, our hopes and fears," said Teatru Manoel Artistic Director Adrian Mamo. "Florian Zeller's play gets to the very heart of what is probably the world's current great- est killer, dementia, and its depiction of its ef- fects on us as human beings and our relation- ships with those close to us is presented in an honest, warm, and sometimes humorous way. It is a process of catharsis in the manner of traditional and yet contemporary theatre". Originally written in French by Florian Zeller, and later translated into English by Christopher Hampton, The Father has been performed all over the world and received various accolades including the prestigious Molière Award for Best Play in 2014. In 2020, Zeller directed the screen adapta- tion of The Father, which features Sir Antho- ny Hopkins and Olivia Colman in the lead roles. The Teatru Manoel production of Il-Mis- sier stars Maltese stage and screen veteran Mario Micallef in the role of Andre, along- side a powerful cast made up of Simone Ellul, Mikhail Basmadjian, Sarah Camilleri, Charles Sammut, and Angele Galea. Il-Missier prom- ises to be a theatrical masterpiece that will leave you questioning the nature of reality and the bonds that connect us all. "Teatru Manoel is proud to bring together a group of talented artists from different theat- rical backgrounds in this new production in Maltese" Mamo said. Taking place at Teatru Manoel from 2 to 4 February, Il-Missier has a run time of 1 hour 30 minutes (with no interval), and is recom- mended for audiences ages over 14. Tickets range from €8 to €28 and can be purchased online or from the Box office. For more information on the production and to purchase tickets, visit https://teatrumanoel. mt/event/il-missier/ or call (+356) 21246389. The cast rehearsing ahead of Il-Missier opening at the Manoel Theatre between 2 and 4 February