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maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 JUNE 2025 3 THEATRE A first for MADC: King Lear set for this year's summer Shakespeare at San Anton BOOKING is now open for MADC's 2025 Shakespeare at San Anton Gardens, continu- ing its decades-long tradition of staging an open-air production each summer, while also mark- ing a milestone moment for Malta's oldest theatre company. For the very first time, MADC will stage King Lear as its much- loved annual appointment with the Bard this July – and audienc- es can enjoy an early bird offer at www.madc.com.mt for a limited time only. Directed by Chris Gatt and set against the backdrop of the picturesque San Anton Gar- dens, MADC's inaugural pro- duction of King Lear features an all-star cast, performing in period costumes with a Game of Thrones-inspired aesthetic de- signed by Nicole Cuschieri. King Lear remains one of Wil- liam Shakespeare's most power- ful tragedies. Its tale of power, pride and betrayal begins when the King abdicates and decides to divide his kingdom between his three daughters – but only after they prove their love for him in words. While his two eld- est flatter him with false praise, his youngest, Cordelia, speaks with honesty. Enraged, King Lear casts her out. Yet, as fam- ily bonds unravel, loyalties shift and the consequences of vanity and ambition take a brutal toll, the King discovers that his eldest daughters are not as loving and obedient as he'd first believed. Stephen Oliver takes on the title role, joined by Faye Par- is as Goneril, Daniela Carabott Pawley as Regan and Melissa Mercieca as the loyal Cordelia. Meanwhile, Michael Mangion plays the Earl of Gloucester, Simone Ellul is the Duchess of Kent and Edward Caruana Gal- izia is the Duke of Cornwall, in a superb cast that also features Le- ah Grech, Alex Weenink, Daniel Formosa, Bernard Zammit, Ta- ha Chaudhry, Sam Casha, Neil Cutajar, Shaun Rizzo and Ty- rone Grima. MADC's production of William Shakespeare's King Lear performs at San Anton Gardens, Attard, from 18-21 and 23-27 July at 8pm. Suitable for audiences aged 10 and above. Tickets are available at www.madc.com.mt with an early bird price starting at €25 for a limited time only. An early bird ticket offer is available for MADC's first ever production of King Lear in its 70-year history of staging summertime Shakespeare plays Photo by Justin Mamo Photo by Justin Mamo