Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1532058
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 FEBRUARY 2025 4 ALMANAC My essentials CAROLINE CLEGG Stage Director Brought up on a farm but born to perform and direct I began as a musical theatre actress in the West End, TV and film prior to starting my own theatre company and becoming a director. My opera career began at Welsh National Opera in 1997 and I have now worked internationally for 30 years sharing great stories and teaching. 1. Books 2. Film 3. Internet/TV 4. Music 5. Place I love dramatic music and great storytellers: Miriam Makeba, Lady Gaga, Ella Fitzgerald, Eva Cassidy, and Bruce Springsteen. Rachmaninov, Bernstein, Kurt Weil, Puccini and my favourite Verdi opera Rigoletto - end of act 2 'Si Vendetta Tremenda Vendet- ta' is always chilling me to the bone. TEATRU Manoel, Old The- atre Street, (with coffee from De Bono café at no 33a). Built in 1731, Manoel is stunning- ly beautiful and steeped in an inspirational and rich cultural history. If you are as lucky as I am to stay in the apartment whilst working there you can almost hear the voices and music of the past influencing great shows for the 21st Cen- tury. The main-stage inno- vator, Adrian Mamo, and the Toi Toi programme from Kate Fenech are world class. LESSONS in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. It was a Christmas present from an artist friend. This is Garmus's triumphant first novel. The main protag- onist, Elizabeth Zott, is a scientist in 1960s America when equality in the home and work place is still dec- ades off. But Zott triumphs with her blend of science and cookery on daytime TV, inspiring legions of housewives to kick out the status quo. It is life affirm- ing, refreshingly honest and a great lesson in perse- verance for anyone of us no matter what age! MRS Harris Goes to Paris by Anthony Fabian. A charming film about widowed cleaning lady Harris (Lesley Manville) in 1950s London who falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress and decides she must have one of her own. Cinematography is exquisite with lingering scenes not excessive sharp cuts. It urges us to hold onto and work for our dreams; the scene back home at the dance with friend Violet, (Ellen Thomas) reminding us that family and community re- ally matter. I don't follow a particular blogger or social media in- fluencer but I am an avid supporter of wildlife and environmental conserva- tion. I follow Sir Richard Attenborough; support Greenpeace campaigns and Compassion in World Farming and I am a com- mitted vegan. Blue Plan- et on TV is inspiring and frightening in equal meas- ure, but my guilty internet pleasure is being distract- ed with cute cat videos and animal rescue happy end- ings. Compiled by Laura Calleja suggestions by email lcalleja@mediatoday.com MaltaToday is supported by Arts Council Malta 4 5 1 2 3